Der Kīlauea Iki ist ein Krater am Rande der Caldera (Krater) des auf Big Island liegenden Vulkans Kīlauea. In der hawaiischen Sprache bedeutet der Name „kleiner Kīlauea“.

Kīlauea last erupted in 1959, producing lava fountains up to 600 meters high that covered several square kilometers. As the lava cooled, it revealed large craters. Although the last eruption was some time ago, the crater is not considered extinct. It is then called a "dormant" volcano.

With a length of 5km and a slope of 180 meters, this tour is classified as easy. Nevertheless, the descents and ascents are somewhat steep.

From the capital Hilo, take Highway 11 southwest to Volcanoes National Park. In the park, do not drive towards the Visitor Center, but turn left. After a short time you reach the parking lot of Kilauea Iki Overlook, where the Thurston Lava Tube is located. From here you already have the first view of Kilauea Iki. Right at the beginning you hike through lush rainforest and dive directly into nature and witness active volcanism. You will experience one of the few rainforests in Hawaii that is exclusively covered by native plants and large ferns. Besides some active places, from which still lava and sulfur steam rises, you will also find flowering plants, such as the Ohia Lehua tree with its red flowers.