In early March 2026, Crystal World founder Tom Kapitany made his third trip to the Big Island of Hawaii. A key focus during his time on the island was following the active eruption cycles of Kīlauea volcano—a location Tom has been tracking closely since gaining rare access and conducting a helicopter flyover during the major 2018 eruption when the National Guard had the zone closed.
The Devastation and Rebirth of Leilani Estates
Tom returned to Leilani Estates, a community heavily affected in 2018 by numerous lava vents that arose right in the middle of the town. Seven years on from that event, the regeneration of vegetation is clearly visible, with mosses, lichens, ferns, and wildlife actively colonising the lava flows.
While a couple of local residents now run guided tours through the remnants of the town, Tom was toured around by a local guide named Stacy. Her home safely survived the 2018 disaster, though half of her property was buried by lava and a giant lump of tephra (volcanic ejecta) that fell in her backyard during the Fissure 8 eruption.
Exploring Volcanoes National Park and Underground Lava Tubes
Stacy also guided Tom through Volcanoes National Park. Only five weeks prior to the visit, sections of the park had been covered by a fresh blanket of tephra ash, though recent rains had already broken most of it down.
The geological observations included:
-
Subterranean Lava Tubes: Lava tubes are very common across the island. Stacy arranged a quick underground trip for Tom and his companion, Rod. It was an easy, safe 300-metre hike, though it required climbing over rocks in a completely dark environment.
-
Coastal Pāhoehoe Formations: A drive to the coast allowed them to see “Pāhoehoe,” the characteristic ropey lava flows commonly seen around the island.
-
The Coastal Park: The journey included a visit to a large coastal park where camping is prohibited, but legal overnight fishing is allowed.
Departure and the March 11 Eruption
By 6:00 am on Thursday, 6 March, indicators showed Kīlauea was expected to erupt within days. Because Tom had other projects requiring his attention back home, he departed the island and arrived back in Australia late on the night of 8 March.
His timing was precise: on 11 March, Kīlauea officially began erupting. Due to the heavy tephra fall, roads in the area were closed and Volcanoes National Park was shut to the public, confirming the volatile volcanic cycles Tom had been tracking just days earlier.
