Body of Hilo Man Found Within Closed Area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A 75-year-old Hilo man died after falling from a closed area within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park late Sunday, Jan. 2.

According to park officials, family members reported the man missing from within the park around 12:15 a.m. on Monday. After searching for the man in the darkness, National Park Service rangers and Hawaiʻi County firefighters located the man’s body about 100 feet below the crater rim, west of the Uēkahuna viewing area at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.

Park rangers, assisted by helicopter, recovered the body around 8 a.m. An investigation is underway and no additional details are currently available.

Identification of the victim is pending further notification of family.