Major Construction Begins at Kīlauea Summit: What You Need To Know
A project to repair and improve damage from the 2018 eruption starts at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
In 2018 an eruption of Kīlauea volcano on Hawaiʻi Island caused major damage the island, destroying more than 700 homes and devastating residential areas in Puna.
It also damaged the summit area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Halemaʻumaʻu crater grew from 280 feet deep to about 1,600 feet deep, and its diameter more than doubled. The unprecedented eruption triggered tens of thousands of earthquakes and caused major damage to roads, hiking trails and park buildings within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
In fact, there are still areas—like the former Jaggar Museum—that are closed to the public for safety reasons.
Interior of Jaggar Museum showing extensive cracking in the foundation and old exhibits
Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service/Janice Wei
Work is currently underway at the 335,259 acre national park to repair, improve and/or remove damaged buildings and infrastructure as a result of the eruption. The museum and parking lot, for example, will be removed.
Crater Rim Drive will also be realigned to improve safety and reduce congestion at the park entrance. An administrative lane will be added, and a roundabout will be installed beyond the entrance station.
Sunrise illuminates the windows of the facilities on the bluff at Uēkahuna at the summit of Kīlauea. Mauna Loa volcano looms above.
Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service/Janice Wei
So what does this mean for visitors to the park?
- There will be reduced parking, so visitors should plan ahead. Half the parking lot at Uēkahuna is blocked for the construction project staging area. Some already-busy parking lots, like the Kīlauea Iki Overlook parking area, may experience even more congestion as other areas will be closed during construction.
- There might be delays—read: longer lines—at the entrance to get in. Be patient.
- The park is open 24 hours a day, so avoid peak hours to the park.
- In Fall 2024 the park will start Phase Two of the project, which includes improvements to the Kīlauea Visitor Center.
- Check the park’s website for current conditions and construction closures.
