Some areas within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reopen after Hurricane Lala
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has partially reopened some areas along Kīlauea summit following recent storms, however, the Kahuku Unit remains closed due to damage from Hurricane Lala until further notice.
Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna is open, along with the Welcome Center and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store, according to a news release from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Popular overlooks like Kīlauea Overlook and Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents) are also open.
Mauna Loa Road is open to Kīpukapuaulu, but Kīpukapuaulu Trail is closed due to tree hazards. Tree Molds and the day-use area are open.
All other areas remain closed while park staff continue to address hazards, but will reopen as soon as they are deemed safe.
Park officials say visitors should take their safety seriously. Stay alert, heed all closures and posted warnings, and do not enter areas that appear unsafe.
Although the storms have passed, hazards remain in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park including fallen trees, unstable slopes, flooding, debris and damaged roads and facilities.
The next fountaining episode of Kīlauea volcano could occur sometime between Monday and Friday, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.
Visitors coming to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park from the west side of the island are strongly urged to use Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, or the Hāmākua Coast (Highway 19) and avoid using the Highway 11 southern route through Kaʻū.
Volcano Art Center Gallery will also open. Volcano House will open and offer a limited menu in its restaurants; however, Nāmakanipaio Campground is closed due to storm damage until further notice. Kilauea Military Camp will open to authorized patrons.
Park electricity, the air quality monitoring system and communications were restored following a weeklong outage from Hurricane Lala. Many communities in Kaʻū, the Kahuku Unit and some park staff remain without power, reliable communications and running water.
National Park Week is now through Aug. 30.
A free guided program, “Civilian Conservation Corps: A Walk Through History,” will be held Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. This is a fee-free day to celebrate the National Park Service 110th anniversary.
