🏙️ Hilo

USA · Population 44,186 · Elevation 12 m · Airport ITO

Volcanic Risk Profile

Hilo is the largest city on the Big Island of Hawaii, 47 km northeast of Kīlauea's summit. The city receives "vog" (volcanic smog) from Kīlauea's persistent SO₂ emissions when trade winds shift. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO), based at Kīlauea, provides 24/7 monitoring.

Nearby Active Volcanoes

🌋 Kīlauea47 km away

View live Volcash score and eruption history →

Distance from city center to Kīlauea crater: 40 km (great-circle).

Notable Eruptions Affecting Hilo

2018

Kīlauea

Lower East Rift Zone eruption; 716 homes destroyed in Leilani Estates; ash plume reached 9 km.

2021

Kīlauea

Halemaʻumaʻu summit eruption resumed; lava lake reformed.

2023

Kīlauea

Multiple summit eruptive episodes; vog impacted Hilo on east trade wind days.

Evacuation & Civil Protection

Hawaii County Civil Defense issues alerts via Hawaii Emergency Management. Tsunami sirens are repurposed for volcanic emergencies. Highway 11 is the primary evacuation route from Puna.

Health & Air Quality

Hilo Medical Center tracks vog-related ER admissions. State health department publishes daily vog forecast at vog.ivhhn.org.

Current Conditions

View real-time volcanic ash levels for Hilo on the interactive 3D map.

Check Live Volcash Score →

Activity Safety Thresholds

Volcash score limits beyond which each activity is no longer recommended for Hilo residents:

Running≤ 50

3–5× breathing volume

Cycling≤ 50

High respiratory load

Hiking≤ 50

Mountain ash accumulation

Children outdoors≤ 30

Higher intake per body weight

Driving≤ 150

Visibility-limited

General outdoors≤ 100

Walking, shopping, commuting