Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to close ahead of approaching new tropical cyclone

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including its Kahuku Unit in Kaʻū, will temporarily close by 5 p.m. today (Aug. 21) ahead of a new storm system that could again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Aug. 22.

The park remains without power, internet or phone service as the community — and many park employees, volunteers and partners — continue to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Lala a week ago.

Emergency services in the park are limited and the park’s air quality monitoring system is down because of the ongoing power and communications outages.

All park programs also are canceled during this storm safety closure period.

The park could still be closed during the next lava fountaining episode of the ongoing episodic eruption at the summit of Kīlauea volcano if it happens during the storm safety closure.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory data indicate the onset of the next fountaining episode is likely to start between Aug. 22 and 26.

Overlap with the new tropical cyclone could create extreme conditions not suitable for viewing.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also remains without power since Hurricane Lala but continues to monitor volcanic and seismic hazards using backup power systems.

The observatory reported in its daily Kīlauea update Thursday that its monitoring network is mostly recovered from recent storm-related outages; however, several summit stations will remain offline as work to repair instruments and re-establish connections in the monitoring network continues.

In the event of a lava fountaining episode and storm overlap, the park is coordinating with Hawaiʻi County to prioritize safety and reduce non-essential traffic on island roadways. Highway 11 will only be open to area residents between the park entrance and Kaʻū.

Kīlauea Military Camp and Volcano House overnight guests with existing reservations will, however, be allowed park access but required to shelter in place once the road closure is enacted.

Check the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park website for alerts and connect with official park social media on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Remember, too, that there are 3 Kīlauea summit livestream cameras on which you can watch erupting lava fountains when they happen, even if you can’t view them in-person.