Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Partially Reopens

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park received minimal damage from Hurricane Ana and has reopened certain areas on Saturday.

A park spokesperson says that Volcano Art Center, Volcano House, Kīlauea Military Camp, and the post office are open. The entire park had shut down Friday in advance of Ana’s approach toward the state.

At Noon Saturday, HVNP personnel opened opened up portions of Crater Rim Drive along Kīlauea Caldera. Kīlauea Visitor Center and Jaggar Museum were also reopened to the public.

Kīpukapuaulu, otherwise known as the Bird Park, was also opened up Saturday, as well as the Nāmakanipaio Campground.

Flooding kept some portions of the park closed, including Thurston Lava Tube, Kīlauea Iki Overlook, and all of Chain of Craters Road. Mauna Loa Road, located above the Bird Park, also remained closed Saturday, as well as the park’s Kahuku Unit.

International Archeology Day was scheduled to be held Saturday at the park, but the event was postponed and will be rescheduled at a later time.

The park spokesperson says that rangers will evaluate the closed areas Sunday and incrementally open them as impact from Hurricane Ana is evaluated. Heavy rain, thunder, and lightning were reported in the area Friday night and Saturday morning.