Park Facilities Open Despite Winter Weather

Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube), Dec. 5, 2016. NPS photo.

Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) and the Kahuku Unit in Ka‘ū reopened Saturday, Dec. 3,  despite intermittent, heavy rainfall.

The snow-cloaked summit of Mauna Loa will remain closed to all day use and overnight camping until it is safe to reopen.

Nāhuku is open, but the lights are still out. Visitors must bring a flashlight to explore the 300-foot lava tube, which becomes pitch black just a few yards in without light, has uneven flooring and a low ceiling in some sections.

Volcanoes National Park Rangers are stationed at the lava tube to assist visitors during peak hours and signs are posted.

The park’s Kahuku Unit reopened Saturday morning and remained open through Sunday. The 116,000-acre Kahuku Unit is open to the public for hiking and exploring Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The Mauna Loa summit closure is in effect above the Red Hill (Pu‘u‘ula‘ula) Cabin. Hikers can still obtain a backcountry permit to hike to and stay at Red Hill Cabin, but backcountry permits to areas above 10,000 feet are suspended and day hiking is prohibited. Hikers going to Red Hill will be advised during the permit process to proceed with caution and carry appropriate gear.

“The park is open, and we remind visitors to drive with caution and aloha,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Roads are flooded in places, and visitors might encounter fog, additional rain and other inclement weather today and as the week progresses.”