I have designed this page to inform you of this place as a "must see" site during your vacation or stay on "da Beeg Iland". KMC is nestled high on the southeastern side of Hawaii at an elevation of 4,000'. The climate is often changeable and can change quickly from sunny and warm to a truly miserable cool drizzle and mist. Always come prepared for the weather, especially in the winter months. You must pack differently than your stay in Oahu. Read on ahead to view some pictures I took over the years during our frequent stays here and learn what types of recreation facilities, lodging, camping and amenities are present to serve and assist your stay.
KMC has not always been a military vacation haven. It started out as a business venture by a group of enterprising Hilo businessman in 1916. They decided to invest $17,000.00 to crerate a maneuvering ground for the National Guard and a vacation spot for Hawaii's Army members since the volcano area was a popular vacation spot. KMC opened its doors amd offered an officer's building, eating and cooking facilities, latrines and tents for sleeping in November of 1916. Military members even received special rates on transportation to visit KMC.
Unfortunately, KMC was not profitable and the local entrepreneurs asked the Army to take over management in 1921. Military members and their guests had free round-trip transportation from Honolulu for a nominal fee and KMC's financial debts were underwritten by the Army! In 1936, KMC received another 20 year lease from major projects and expansion, and now operates under a special use permit from the National Park which is renewed in 10 year increments. KMC has also been a EPW camp, a facility for the mentally depressed and a bombing site.
Today, KMC offers guests a beautiful, quiet get-a-way vacation site on top of Kilauea summit. Its 68 cabins and apartments are cozy, spacious and have fireplaces for a romantic or family evening. They offer tours to all parts of the island, a golf course right outside the park, a bowling center, cafeteria, lounge, banquet facilities, General Store (mini-PX), recreation lodge and other comforts. See my sketch of KMC to locate key facilities and lodge lots for a quick reference guide until you arrive. They will give you a nice post map at the front desk with more details on it.
| Front Desk | 0730-1630 Daily, HQs Bldg, ext. 335 |
| KMC Country Store | 0730-1930 Daily, bldg. 37, ext. 364 |
| KMC Laundromat | 0700-2100, bldg. 64 |
| Lava Lounge | 1600 'till closing, bldg. 34, ext.365 |
| Recreation Lodge | 0800-2200, bldg. 35B, ext. 352 |
| KMC Weight Room (Bedrock Gym) | 0800-1600 get key @ rec. ctr., 160-2100 @ bowling alley, bldg. 35A, ext. 350 |
| KMC Bowling Alley | Snack Bar 1500-2130; Bowling 1500-2200; bldg. 35A, ext. 350 |
| KMC gas station | 0730-1830 M-SAT, 0730-1300 Sun/Hol; bldg. 85, ext. 362 |
| Cafeteria | Breakfast 0700-0930; Lunch 1100-1300; Dinner 1730-2000, bldg. 34, ext. 355 |
| Dispensary (aid station) | Ambulance (24 hrs/day), non-emerg. 0800-1600 M-F; bldg. 47, ext. 368 |
| KMC Chapel | Protestant 0800 Sundays; NO Catholic or other Services, bldg. 45 |
| After Hours Security/MPs | Bldg. 84, ext. 378 |
| **EMERGENCIES ONLY** | FIRE/SECURITY bldg 84, ext. 205 |
Telephone Instructions. On KMC: Dial "4", then cabin number. Hawaii Island: Dial "80", then #. Interisland: Dial "801808", then #, From CONUS: Dial "801", area code, #. THere is a .50 cents charge for all off-camp calls plus long distance charge. There are pay phones at the lava lounge and lobby for your use.
There is a $3.25 charge for each commercial self-lighting log used in the fireplace. They always leave 1 or 2 in your room as a service. Firewood is sold for $3.25 a bundle at the General Store. Keys are $10.50 when you lose one, and remote controls for the TV will cost you $15.50 if lost. Checkout time is 1100 hours daily, and a shuttle service operates from KMC to Hilo. It departs at 0830,1200,1430 and 1645 and departs Hilo at 1100,1300,1545 and 1830. You must coordinate with the reservation office at front desk NLT 48 hours before desired Pick up at KMC or Hilo to ensure availability of the mini-van.
Getting to KMC is easy coming from either Hilo or Kona. From Hilo, just move out smartly in your rent a caronto Hwy 11 and you'll travel straight into Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanos National Park until you take a left at a well-placed sign. You'll make no turns off the highway until you arrive, and it takes around 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and your foot caliber on the pedal. There is a $10.00 fee to enter the park which you'll pay once, then keep your ticket in the window for the dutration of your stay. Keep a sharp lookout to your left at the 19 1/2 mile marker (mm) as you head towards KMC when you see the General Store on your right. From here, you can see the Pu'O'O vent in the distance and smoke plume if its erupting. There's also a slightly overpriced but good selection antique store at the 12 mm on your left as you head to KMC. Good selection of Hawaiiana and antiques but he's gone up in price a lot since our first trip in 92.
We've stayed in the small cabins (#1-19) as well as large family quarters (21-100). Bigger is certainly better but not necessary for a good vacation. Cabins come in several different sizes, depending on the number of bedrooms and kids/relatives or frends you bring. The one bedroom with sleeper sofas are in the front at bldg's 1-19, and bigger 2-3 bedrooms and family quarters are along the right side, middle and rear in bldgs 21-100. Note these are not all inclusive numbers, and include facilities. Its always good to be an 0-6 or above, because you might get lucky and sleep where Ike did at the Eisenhower suite. All have twin, full or queen beds, fold-out couches, fireplace, electric coffee pot, bathroom (s), microwave oven and other amenities. Ask the receptionist about the items available as these depend on the size and type of quarters available. Housekeeping service will empty rubish, make beds,clean sinks and showers,restock sundry items and change towels and linen.
The Country Store has a fairly good selection of items you will use during your stay. Some are slightly expensive but this is vacation you know... They have coleman stoves, propane tanks, sleping bags, camping equipment and other items to rough it or enjoy the wilderness. Additionally, they have Hawaiian blankets, post cards, souveniers and t-shirts. Plenty of canned goods, foods, bread, muffins, milk, dairy products, steaks and burgers, frozen foods and a WIDE SELECTION OF BEER AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES to suit most CLASS VI connosieurs. These ranged from microbrews, German Ales, Spaten, Ocktoberfest, and lots of nips and pints. Hey, who says you shouldn't enjoy just a little as most folks come from places like Korea, Japan or the States.
Sports fans can play a nice game or 2 of tennis at the 2 tennis courts, or there is an old field to the far left side behind the motorpool to play saftball or baseball with the family. The Rec Center has 3 pool tables, 3 ping pong tables, a 9-hole indoor mini-golf for the kids, several pinball machines and video games, and an air-hockey game. They rent snorkle gear and athletic equipment here for a minimal fee, and give discounted prices to the local golf course up the street. It was running $28.80 for 18 holes, 32.00 on weekends and included cart fees. Check for current prices when you arrive. I liked some of their offerings for local tours, and our family had a great day in Kona using the snorkeling day cruise trip. It was from 0930-1330, and took 50 minutes to get to the site at Cooks Monument. They had .50 cent sodas, $4 mai tais, $2 beers or $6 2x shots. Snuba diving will cost you $45 per person, but we all enjoyed the snorkeling for free thank you very much. They serve a great breakfast of assorted fruits, lots of danish, juices and delicious Kona Coffee. Lunch was BIG and consisted of huge cheesburgers w/tomatoes, onions, and bean sprouts, thick potatoe chips, potatoe salad,juice, veggie burgers (o/o) and free soda. The tour provided fins, masks, floats, boogy board and had two slides to slide off of and a diving platform. Seats and the bar are inside to get you out of the hot sun, and we saw a great variety of fish, eels and coral while diving. Ensure you SP from KMC NLT 0600 to ensure you make boat SP check-in time without being stressed out. It took us 2 hours to get there and I was pushing it the whole way along hwy 11 fighting slow traffic and a winding road. You'll turn left in Kanoleu town at Kameameha the third, take second left at alii, then turn right on Kaleopapa and drive to the end. Apply healthy sunscreen.
Our stays at KMC have always been enjoyable. Like Bellows AFS and the Kwajaleen Atoll, it makes Key West look like New York City. Not even a 6.5 from madam Pele gets people excited here so be prepared to get things done tomorrow if you want it ASAP. KMC is a bit out of the way if your interest is Hilo, Kona or the north island area. I recommend you use some of the local B&Bs or a hotel to eliminate the loooong drives you'll make every morning to reach these places before noon. KMC is also warm, nice but not the beach. The air is clean, crisp and usually tempered compared to Hilo or Kona due to the altitude. Always pack a sweater, light windbreaker, raincoat and some thick shirts/jeans to protect yourself and children if the weather gets nasty. The wind will howel across the park when it gets nasty.
Running enthusiasts will also enjoy the altitude for a 5 mile run out to the volcano observatory and back, or you can go further around the park roads as you desire. Ensure you have a road vest anytime other than 1200 high, and watch out for the 2.3 million Japaneese and foreign tourists who try to see just how fast a Hertz can go from the observatory to the front gate. I've seen some go by me at @ 70 and the wind is enough to knock you down, let alone their front bumper of loud shouts of konichiwah/ hello there amereekan.
I hope this is enough to get you started on thinking about a KMC vacation piece as part of your overall Hawaiian vacation. Don't forget to email me with any questions or comments about the material I've included in here. ENJOY!!!!!
