Hawaii Volcanoes National Park rangers relocate to spread awareness

Although most of the park remains closed, the park rangers have relocated to the Mokupapapa Discovery Center, and other areas, to answer any questions about the ongoing volcanic activity.

UPDATE 07/03/18:

To further spread the knowledge of what’s happening at Kilauea volcano, Hawaii Volcano National Park rangers have spread their outreach programs to two additional locations on the Island of Hawaii. 

At the Kahuku Unit of the Hawaii Volcano National Park, the only section of the park still open to the public, rangers will lead orientation talks, discussing the natural, cultural and historic qualities of the Kahuku area at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Also at the Kahuku Unit, more informal Kahuku Coffee Talks will be held on the last Friday of every month, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Mauka (inland) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5, in Kau.

Park rangers will also be on duty at the Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, in little Volcano Village. Rangers will be available most days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., ready to answer any questions you may have about the ongoing eruptions and volcanic activity surrounding the Kilauea volcano. 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., in Volcano Village.

Even with the events surrounding Kilauea Volcano’s most recent eruption, park rangers of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are still greeting and serving their visitors. And no, this doesn’t mean they’re at the park braving the volcanic fumes and ash with an umbrella in hand. They’ve temporarily relocated to the Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo, ash-free.

The park, which attracted more than 2 million visitors within the past year, closed indefinitely on May 11, due to the continued safety hazards following the volcanic activity, ranging from the growing seismic activity to summit deflation. A small part of the park still remains open—the Kahuku Unit, which is an hour’s drive from the park’s main entrance. Visitors can inquire about the park from a safe distance at the center, where park rangers will also give daily updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to teach visitors about the ongoing volcanic activity as well as clarify the conditions about the summit.

The Mokupapapa Discovery Center also serves as a museum to educate the public on the nature, culture and history of the seldom visited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. With a 3,500-gallon aquarium housing some of the rarest aquatic life found only in the deep coral reefs of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, interactive exhibits and interpretive panels translated both in Hawaiian and English, will make you feel like you’ve stepped foot on these remote islands which, according to its website, “Most people will never have the opportunity to visit.”

The Mokupapapa Discovery Center, 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo, is open from Tuesday to Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.