After Months-Long Volcanic Eruption, Hawaii National Park Reopens
by Jessica Montevago
Halema‘uma‘u crater. Photo: NPS/Janice Wei
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has reopened this weekend, after being closed for more than four months because of the eruptions of Kilauea volcano.
As the state’s most-visited tourist attraction, averaging 5,500 visitors per day, the park was forced to close on May 11 when the volcano began erupting, due to hazardous volcanic and seismic activity at the summit.
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The volcanic eruption caused trail damage, water and sewer line breaks; and more than 60 collapsed structures inside the park’s summit area, including the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Officials cautioned of rapid reactivation and to “respect the dangers of this dynamic natural process and stay out of closed areas.”
Now, visitors can, once again, hike around some parts of the summit area and see the dramatic changes in volcanic landscape, including new ground cracking, sinkhole formation, and the dramatically reshaped Halema‘uma‘u crater.
Public access to the volcano remains limited because of damage to its infrastructure; and there will be one-third fewer parking spaces when visiting the park.
“We are thrilled to welcome our public back and share the incredible changes that have taken place,” said Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “We ask that you stay alert to these profound changes while enjoying your park and its resources.”
