Construction Closures and Delays

Expect Area Closures and Delays at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has begun a two-year construction project to repair, improve or remove damaged buildings and infrastructure at the summit of Kīlauea. Park visitors and tour operators should expect delays at the entrance station, temporary area closures, and limited parking.

Delays and lack of parking will be even more severe during periods of high visitation such as during an eruption and the traditional busy months of December, January, June, July, and August.

The construction project includes:

• Removal of the earthquake-damaged Jaggar Museum and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory buildings and temporary closure of the restrooms at Uēkahuna
• A new roundabout west of the entrance station to improve safety and traffic flow
• Construction of a new Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field station west of Kilauea Military Camp
• Temporary closure and complete renovation of the Kīlauea Visitor Center and adjacent restrooms

Are you a frequent park visitor? Bookmark this page and check back before each visit for the latest closure updates.

 

Construction Schedule

Construction is following a "dynamic" schedule to allow for flexibility and adjustment for the constantly changing conditions at Kīlauea. As a consequence, new planned closures will be announced between two to four weeks in advance. The Dates highlighted in yellow are subject to change.

Place	Details	Date
Uēkahuna parking area (click for map)	Partial closure of parking area. Two bus stalls closest to Crater Rim Drive are open to vehicles exceeding 26 feet in length and/or eight feet in width.	From January 31, 2024
Crater Rim Drive West near entrance	A section of the westbound lane between the entrance and visitor center and a few parking stalls in the gravel lot will temporarily close for communications line work	February 29, 2024
Kīlauea Visitor Center (KVC) parking area (click for map)	Temporary closure of part of the paved parking area east of KVC adjacent to Crater Rim Drive and the entire gravel overflow lot - impacting 33 spaces	From March 4, 2024
Tree Molds Road closure (click for map)	During construction (Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Tree Molds Road will be temporarily closed to vehicles. Pedestrians are permitted only on the paved sections of Tree Molds Road and must exercise caution, yielding to heavy equipment on the roadways. However, access to Tree Molds Road via the northern gravel road from the horse corral is closed during construction periods.	From April 3, 2024
Park Entrance right lane (click for map)	The right inbound lane will be closed for construction at the entrance station. Temporary traffic control signage will be in place to ensure traffic flow in the other lane.	From April 8, 2024
Restrooms at Uēkahuna	The restrooms will close during the deconstruction of the former Jaggar Museum and USGS facilities. Portable restrooms will be available.	From April 8, 2024

 

 

To access a version of the park map that is accessible, please visit the Maps webpage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the park close during the construction?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will remain open 24 hours during the construction, however access to overlooks and parking lots at the summit of Kīlauea may be temporarily delayed during periods of intense visitation, especially if an eruption occurs. Visitors and tours will be directed to other areas in the park including sites along Chain of Craters Road and Mauna Loa Road. 

How long will the construction last?

The project began in January 2024 and is expected to last up to two years.

Will I still be able to see an eruption?

It depends. Eruptions are impossible to predict and can occur throughout the park. When an eruption is happening, check the park home page prior to your visit to find out the best viewing locations and options.

What are some ranger tips to avoid construction?

Construction will be concentrated at the summit of Kīlauea, a relatively small area of the park. Plan to explore destinations away from the summit such as Chain of Craters Road, Maunaulu, Puʻuloa, and Mauna Loa Road. Also, don't overlook Kahuku! It's just a one-hour drive southwest of the Kīlauea summit, situated on the ma uka (uphill) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5.

How will visitor services change during the construction project?

To reduce congestion and disperse visitors to less-crowded locations, the park may adjust services at the visitor center. Park rangers will be stationed at alternate overlooks and parking areas to provide information, and traffic control staff will direct visitors to less-congested areas in the park. 

In addition, vehicles more than 25 feet long and 8 feet wide will not be able to access Uēkahuna until the deconstruction and overlook repairs are complete, which may take almost two years to complete. The large vehicles are not allowed past Kilauea Military Camp, but can still access Kīlauea Visitor Center and Steam Vents parking lots.  

Will Jaggar Museum be rebuilt?

Jaggar Museum will not be rebuilt. Guidance from the park’s General Management Plan was used to analyze the potential options, after which the NPS received public and consulting party feedback during the Environmental Assessment review period. Instead, Kīlauea Visitor Center will be rehabilitated and redesigned during Phase Two of the construction period to accommodate the lost visitor services provided at Jaggar Museum. 

What will visitors experience at the new Uēkahuna viewing area? 

The park is restoring a more culturally appropriate experience at Uēkahuna,  considered by Native Hawaiians and other groups as a sacred area. The buildings will be removed but some of the original stone masonry and low rock walls will remain. Interpretive displays will be minimal as to not impede the panoramic views.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 3 seconds

We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the construction period.