VOLCANO HELICOPTER ADVENTURE
To the Famed Red Roof House at the Edge of the Volcano

Guests of Kona Village Resort on Hawaii's Big Island have the opportunity to enjoy a never before offered adventure to view the island's famous, active volcano. Partnering with Sunshine Helicopters and Jack Thompson, owner of the “Red Roof House” guests will board a helicopter right from the resort's own helipad. The flight will take them over amazing inland terrain towards the current eruption site at Kilauea Volcano. Within less than an hour from departing Kona Village, the helicopter will land on an oasis amongst vast, barren, black lava.

On the oasis, called kipuka in Hawaiian, is the Red Roof House. Jack Thompson built his custom cedar home in 1982 within the island's Royal Gardens Subdivision. On January 3, 1983 the eastern rift zone of Kilauea began erupting and has done so continuously to today, resulting in the longest recorded eruption known to science. The erupting Puu O'o vent of Kilauea is just 4 miles west, southwest of Royal Gardens. By March of 1984 the flow destroyed the first of more than 40 homes eventually taken by “Madame Pele”, Hawaii¹s goddess of fire.

Thompson's house has had lava approach to within a quarter mile, first in the fall of 1984 and again in the spring of 1986. But the Red Roof House has survived, now sitting alone on the Pulami Pali (pali is Hawaiian for hill) and overlooking the entire eruption coastline.

The house is surrounded by rainforest and Thompson is well supplied with various fruits, abundant orchids, ferns and other lush vegetation. In 1992, the last access road to Royal Gardens was cut off but Thompson remains, transversing 30 minutes over earlier pahoehoe (smooth) lava flows on a motorized mountain bike in to town for supplies when needed. Solar energy provides all the power needed and a water catchment system ensures ample water supply.

While at the Red Roof House, Jack Thompson will share his first hand knowledge of the Puu O'o eruption. He welcomes visitors, has been featured on the Travel Channel's “Most Unusual Homes in America,” and looks forward to Kona Village guests who want to get a little more up close and personal with the volcano. While at the Red Roof House, light refreshments (canapes and champagne) will be offered.

The trip back to Kona Village will be as thrilling the trip over. The return flight will pass along the northern side of the island, the rugged Hamakua Coast with its 1000-foot high seacliffs, views of the verdant valleys of Waipio and Waimanu and waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet from cliff to sea.

The flight, per person, including door-to-door landing, narrated live video, Red Roof landing and refreshment is $475 plus tax. An adventure to write home about. An adventure unlike anything you might imagine. An adventure that can only be offered on Hawaii's Big Island, and only from Kona Village Resort. The Red Roof House Helicopter Adventure. If you're looking to put some “extraordinary” in your next vacation, Kona Village's Red Roof Adventure has defined it for you.

All prices and descriptions subject to change without notice