The Hawaiian name “Kilauea” means “spewing” or “much spreading”.

When Kilauea began to form is not known, but various estimates are 300,000-600,000 years ago. The volcano has been active ever since.

Kilauea is the youngest and southeastern most volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. The eruption of Kilauea volcano that began in 1983 continues at the cinder-and-sputter cone of Pu'u O'o.
Lava erupting from the cone flows through a tube system down Pulama pali about 7 miles to the ocean. You can visit this site through the Kalapana viewing area, managed by the County of Hawaii, and The Volcanoes National Park Service.

Kilauea is the home of Pele, the Hawaiian volcano goddess. Hawaiian chants and oral traditions tell in veiled form of many eruptions formulated by an angry Pele before the first European, the missionary Rev. William Ellis, saw the summit in 1823. The caldera was the sight of nearly continuous activity during the 19th century and the early part of this century. Since 1952 there have been 34 eruptions, and since January 1983, eruptive activity continues along the east rift region. Kilauea ranks among the world's most active volcanoes, and also is the planets most visited volcano.