Lava flows, beautiful beaches on th HILO, HAWAIE — Some may dream about little tropical islands, but the big- gest one in the Pacific has more than beaches and paim trees. For example, Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano, the best hula com- petition, the largest number of climate zones, and the most observatories, with nine nations taking turns to peer through the biggest telescope. David Wishart a _ TRAVEL TIPS There is a fair amount of lava about, and when flying in you can get an idea of what the moon looks like. . A ” Now and again, I’m told, it’s Tips for safe holiday season travel police while your flight departs. @ Toy guns look real to X-ray ‘IF YOU are one of the estimated 815,000 travellers -- 23,000 more than last year — who will pass through Vancouver = International Airport during this busy holiday ‘season, here are a. few tips that might help smooth your way. @ Christmas gifts you want to carry on the aircraft should not be _wrapped until you reach'your des- tination. If they are wrapped, they ‘are subject to be opened at pas- senger screening points. Wrapped gifts must go in checked luggage. An_ estimated 400,000 gifts will pass through the airport this month. @ Don't leave your bags unat- tended for a moment. Thieves are busy at airports during peak travel hard to see anything because of vog, which is a blend of volcanic gas and burning forest. Kilauea's current cruption has been going on for more than 10 yours. The lava flow, an astonishing 650,000 cubic yards daily, has destroyed the village of Kalapana, created 75 miles of new island, and pours into the sea amid clouds of steam. To sce all this you rent a car at Hilo airport (the good people at Budget calmly do not ask where their cars are going but they do ‘have your credit card) and head for the lair of Pele, Hawaii's volcano goddess. Some locals take gin as an of- fering, which may seem like a waste of time but at least it’s a little more civilized that the old way — throwing maidens into the fiery crater. It costs $5 a car to enter Volcanoes National Park, but that also includes a walk in a tropical rainforest, although what you’ve come for involves careful hiking on hot lava beds and sometimes shaking ground. . Heed the trail markers carefully; one local didn’t not so long ago and perished in a lava tube. Currently the lava flow is in underground tubes and the best "_ experience is to go when it’s dark; just after sunset the sky and sea meet ina scarlet plume. Alcha Airlines flies into both Hilo and Kona airports. If you are staying overnight the Hilo Ha- waiian is splendidly located be- periods. . And worse, dangerous or illegal items could be inserted into your bags leaving you to explain if they are detected. @ Make sure you have your Air- port Improvement Fee ticket be- fore going to security screening. Money collected by the AIF — $5 for flights in B.C., $10 for North America, and $15 for international flights — will fund a new interna- tional terminal and third runway now under construction at the air- port. You can get it at the airport, selected travel agents, some hotels and rental car agencies. @ Don’t joke about bombs or guns at the airport. You could find yourself explaining to the TRAVEL e Big Isian i Photo David Wishart :. THE GOOD life can be found on the beach at Kona Village Resort in Hawaii. tween the beach and the golf course. B&B people should check out the Victorian Rose, where rooms are $55 and $65, and just five minutes from the volcano park. The drive around the east coast reveals some remarkable scenery, with ravines lush with vegetation plunging from cloud-shrouded equipment at security check paints. If you are transporting one as a gift, it must go in checked baggage. @ Dangerous goods such as gases, corrosives, aerosols, explosives and poisons will be confiscated. @ Report any suspicious people, bags, cars or activities to any uniformed employee, or call 6160 from any white house-phone in the airport. More than 21,000 aircraft landings and takeoffs will occur at Vancouver International Airport during the month of December. A normal day sees between 1,000 and 1,200. ‘ Sharpen your pencils and fill in the clues of our crossword puzzle. Published every issue in Classified. THE VOICE OF MORTH AND WEST VANCOUVER orth SUNDAY + WEDNESDAY ¢ FRIDAY mountains into boiling surf. Waimea is a sleepy market town and base for the Parker Ranch, at 225,000 acres one of the biggest ranches in the world. There is a good visitors’ centre and nearby two heritage homes. Around here roam mighty herds of cattle (some shipped through Vancouver to Alberta) tended by paniolos, so called after the origi- nal Mexican cowboys who spoke Espanol. Long before that, Capt. Van- couver had given the king a gift of a few domestic cattle, who placed a kapu on them so that they ran wild and multiplied. When the first Parker got here a leading cause of death on the island was being gored by wild cow. These days it’s all quiet on the Big Island, other than the whack . oy 7 Z mM) Dec, 27 (Monday) Dec, 28, 29, & 30 Dee. 31 Jan. Jan, 2 & 3 (Mon,) of golf balls on stunning golf.” courses carved out of lava beds.’ The new Hapuna course has . just opened beside Mauna Kea, and is a spirited test of golf when. the wind is up. . Pe The Big Isiand is the antithesis / of Waikiki, with elegant resorts. like Mauna Lani (two golf courses . now) and the Kona Village Resort, . where author Michael Crichton is ... aregular visitor. soos Kona Village mixes simplicity -.". and luxury with accommodation. in thatched hales (cottages) overlooking a sandy cove. There are no telephones, TVs, VCRs, radios, and a coconut placed at your hale door means .. privacy. So to And yes, there are beautiful beaches on the Big island. In fact, a major magazine has just voted one of them the best in America. 9am to 6pm Damie 6pm 9am tod pm Closed 9am to 6pm Kids Only Market open 10-6, Net Loft open 10 - 6.