Some sections of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reopened Wednesday but others areas remain closed because of impacts from recent storms and volcanic activity.
A Kona Low — a powerful seasonal cyclone — moved through the Islands last week, with much of the storm's rainfall coming March 13 and 14.
Heavy rains and destructive winds from the storm last weekend "knocked down trees and power lines and caused flooding and other damage" within the park, HVNP said in an announcement Wednesday. "Park staff have cleared roads, overlooks and trails from storm debris and will reopen additional areas when assessments are complete and it is safe to do so," the announcement notes.
The storm hit days after Episode 43 of Kīlauea volcano's ongoing eruption began and ended on March 10. According to the park, lava fountains during this episode reached as high as 1,770 feet and tephra fallout was "widespread at the summit."
The eruptive episode led to the temporary closure of the volcano's summit within HVNP at that time, but the park closed again Saturday, March 14, due to the weather conditions, it previously announced.
As of Wednesday, though, Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Kīlauea Military Camp; the Welcome Center; Volcano House, Volcano Art Center Gallery and most of Kīlauea Military Camp; Crater Rim Drive East; Chain of Craters Road to the coast; and most backcountry areas, not including Mauna Loa, are now open, HVNP said. Nāhuku lava tube is also open, but the park notes that the lights are out and visitors should bring a flashlight and be aware of the low ceiling.
HVNP's Kahuku Unit will reopen at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Meanwhile, Mauna Loa Road beyond Kīpukapuaulu is closed to all use, including pedestrians and bicyclists, the announcement noted. Also closed are the Mauna Loa Summit, Mauna Loa Trail, Red Hill Cabin and Puʻuʻulaʻula; Kīpukapuaulu; Crater Rim Drive West beyond Kīlauea Military Camp to Uēkahuna, including bicycles and pedestrians; Crater Rim Trail beyond Kīlauea Military Camp to Uēkahuna; Nāmakanipaio Campground and trail to Uēkahuna; and Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground.
Kīlauea has been erupting intermittently since Dec. 23, 2024, largely from two vents in Halema‘uma‘u crater within the summit caldera. The eruption is currently paused and, according to an update Wednesday from the U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, episode 44 of lava fountaining is forecast to begin between April 1 and 10.
Episode 41, which ended Jan. 24, also blanketed HVNP and some surrounding Hawai‘i Island communities with tephra and ash. (ICYMI: An estimated 14 million cubic yards of lava erupted during that episode. Here's how much that really is).
The 42nd episode of the ongoing eruption ended on Feb. 15.
Visit the park website for updates.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
