Most of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Remains Closed Without Power Due to Hurricane Lala Impacts

Hawaii National Park, HI -- Park rangers reopened Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna at the summit of Kīlauea volcano around 10 a.m. Monday morning, August 17, following a multi-day hurricane closure.

Visitors should expect very limited services. The park still has no power, phones, or internet. The Welcome Center and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store will be closed Monday, however park rangers and volunteers will provide visitor information in the Kilauea Military Camp lobby.

Crater Rim Trail West and Steam Vents are open, but Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and all other areas in the park remain closed due to downed trees and other hazards. Park rangers and staff are continuing to assess trails, roads and other park destinations that will reopen when they are deemed safe.

Visitors are advised to take their safety seriously. Although the hurricane has passed, hazards remain in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park including falling trees, unstable slopes, flooding, debris and damaged roads and facilities. Stay alert, heed all closures and posted warnings, and do not enter areas that appear unsafe.

Park campgrounds and the backcountry remain closed. Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp remain closed to the public but are open to registered guests. (The KMC lobby is open.) Volcano Art Center Gallery is closed.

The park closed for two-and-a-half days during Hurricane Lala which caused widespread devastation islandwide, particularly in the Kaʻū District where roads and bridges were destroyed by heavy flooding. Impacts to the Kahuku Unit, located in Kaʻū, are expected to be substantial but staff are unable to access the area at this time.

Park sawyers have dozens of downed trees from Mauna Loa Road, Escape Road, Chain of Craters Road and throughout Kīlauea summit.

The safety of park visitors, staff, partners and the community remains the top priority, and the park thanks everyone for their support. Many park staff, their families and nearby communities are recovering from hurricane impacts. Changes to services could change without notice.

Check the park website, www.nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes and official social media for additional updates.

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