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 "VOLCANO HOUSE" - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - Hawai`i - U.S.A. Posted by:  Jake39
N 19° 25.736 W 155° 15.478
5Q E 262916 N 2149843
Past the entrance to "Volcano National Park" on Highway 11 (Hawai`i Belt Road)and off Crater Rim Drive.
Waymark Code: WM13KP
Location: Hawaii, United States
Date Posted: 01/04/2007
Views: 144
This old style country lodge, the state of Hawaii's oldest continuously operated hotel and the only hotel in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is proud of its tradition of providing hospitality services with genuine Aloha for over 125 years.
Colorful History
The history of Volcano House can be traced back to 1824 when Chiefess Kapiolani and her entourage built a grass shack on the crater rim.
Throughout history, Ancient Hawaiians came to Kilauea crater to worship
the Volcano goddess Pele with offering and prayers. In an ironic twist, the
first structure (a grass shack) was built on the crater rim by Chiefess
Kapiolani (a Christian convert) and her entourage not to worship but rather
to denounce Pele.
As in years past, people continued to be drawn to the Volcano and in 1846
Benjamin Pitman, Sr. built a grass house at the crater edge and coined the
name Volcano House which has remained the name throughout the many
manifestations of this rustic inn. In 1866, a more substantial Volcano House
was constructed made of grass and ohia poles. Mark Twain, who stayed in
the hotel this same year described it as “ neat, roomy, well furnished and a
well kept hotel. The surprise of finding a good hotel at such as outlandish
spot startled me, considerably more than the volcano did.”
As the years progressed, Volcano House has continued to evolve and in
1877 the first wooden Volcano House was built, featuring a large parlor
with a fireplace, a dining room and six bedrooms. This fireplace which is
symbolic of Volcano House warm hospitality and aloha has been burned
continuously for over 125 years.
In 1895, Greece-born George Lycurgus (known as Uncle George to
locals) bought the hotel and his name became synonymous with Volcano
House for most of the next 65 years until his death at the age of 101.
In 1940 the main building of the hotel was destroyed by fire, caused by an
oil burner, not Pele. Items rescued included embers of the everlasting fire
from its large fireplace, the Koa piano, which is presently in our lobby, and
a few art pieces.
In 1941 Uncle George rebuilt Volcano House. It was constructed of wood
and stone, consisting of 30 rooms resting at the edge of the magnificent
Kilauea Crater. For decades Volcano House became a popular gathering
place for local residents as well as visitors. Queen Liliuokalani, Mark Twain
and President Franklin D. Roosevelt were among its guests.
Name of the Hotel: VOLCANO HOUSE
Address:
P.O. Box 53 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718
Number of Rooms: 8
Height in floors: One floor in the old part. Left side converted to dining room and gift shop.
Hotel Rating: 4
Hotel since: 01/01/1866
Date Building was built: 01/01/1866
First use of building:
Still in use.
Historic Hotel (Historic Building, National Monument or similar): yes
Urban Hotel (located in a village or town): yes
Mountains Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): yes
Historic Place nearby (Unesco or National monument/site less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): yes
Hotel website (if available): [Web Link]
Beachs Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil): Not Listed
Major Pilgrimage Place Nearby (less than 25 Kms / 15 Mil. Consider any religion).: Not Listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of Hotel and your impressions of it.
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