MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- KILAUEA, Hawaii -- Spending your vacation at a military camp on a steaming volcano probably doesn't sound like a lot of fun, but Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island is just that, and it's not only a great time, it's also an experience that a visitor will likely never forget.
Located in the federally protected Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, a tourist destination unto itself, KMC is a unique getaway for anyone, and getting there is quick. The flight from Oahu to Hilo International Airport lasts only about 45 minutes.
The advantage of having such a military friendly resort so close to service members stationed on Oahu is great because one doesn't have to travel to the mainland for a real "getaway." A vacation to KMC can be had for a fraction of the cost of visiting a similar resort in the continental United States.
The camp houses its guests in rustic cabins, which are fully furnished and offered in numerous sizes to accommodate any number of people a party wishes to bring. Brick fireplaces - handy at KMC's cabins 4,000-feet above sea level - offer a sense of coziness one wouldn't expect to find at a resort here in the tropics.
Kilauea Military Camp is located about 45 minutes from downtown Hilo, so shopping and sight-seeing are easy to come by, as no vacation would be complete without souvenirs. But perhaps the most attractive feature of KMC is its convenient location within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Driving through the park, at times, is like tearing pages out of a history book. The geologically active site makes for interesting visuals, with rising steam and cragged rock that seem to transport viewers back to the beginnings of this island. The marked lava flows, from eruptions within the past 100 years, actually give evidence of when the land was created, and add a sense of perspective to the geological marvel.
The miles of formerly molten rocks seem to flow until they meet the crashing Pacific at the park's edge on Hawaii's western shore. The park boasts a large welcoming facility, full of information to make a visit to the park's numerous craters, lava tubes and past and present flows an interesting and educational visit.
Tours of the Big Island through KMC are a must-add for most camp visitors. Instead of heading to Hilo to book guided tours, many staying at KMC decide that KMC Tours is the way to go. The camp provides several tour packages that can accommodate those wishing to learn more about the island such as the Mauna Loa macadamia nut farm; numerous natural wonders like waterfalls, lava tubes, black and green sand beaches; and a ton of other photo-friendly sites guaranteed to impress your family and friends back home.
Back at KMC, there are also several amenities to take advantage of, including a bowling alley, a karaoke bar, a restaurant, a game room and other activities in which to unwind after a day of exploring Hawaii's biggest and most diverse island - offering everything from rain forests, to beaches, to snow-covered mountain tops, and even barren, desolate deserts.
Kilauea Military Camp is a true resource that military members and families should definitely consider when it comes time to spending some of their hard-earned leave and liberty.
To make reservations or to find out more information call (808) 438-6707 from Oahu; from all other locations, call (808) 967-8333. Further, check out Kilauea Military Camp's Web site at www.kmc-volcano.com for tour, accommodations, restaurant information, and more. Call Leisure Travel at the Information, Tickets and Tours Office to make air and car reservations at (808) 254-7413 for Kaneohe Bay, or (808) 477-5143 for Camp H. M. Smith.