February 8, 2012 - Road Construction Update:

Construction continues on Crater Rim Drive from Kīlauea Visitor Center to Highway 11 which includes the entrance station.

Pavement work between the Entrance Station and Hwy 11 continues. Entrance station lane closures and rerouting are in effect.

Crater Rim Drive from Kīlauea Military Camp to Hwy 11 is scheduled for the finish course of asphalt on Wednesday, February 8 for the outbound lane and on Thursday, February 16 for the inbound lane.

Work continues at Kīlauea Visitor Center resetting historic curb stones.

Sealing work is scheduled to resume on Mauna Loa Road on Monday, February 6, 2012 and continue through the week, however, it will remain open to traffic.
Pavement work is scheduled for Mauna Loa Road on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The road will be closed to traffic past Kipukapuaulu during the day but will reopen in the evening.

The west half of the Steam Vents parking lot is now closed to motor vehicle traffic, and will remain closed for approximately one week or more, and then the east half will be closed for another week. All traffic must enter and exit through the open entrance. These closures will remain in place overnight and on the weekends. Busses will not be able to use the Steam Vent parking area during this time because there is not enough room to turn around.

Work is scheduled to resume on Hilina Pali Road on Monday, February 13, 2012. The full length of Hilina Pali Road will be closed during the day but will reopen in the evening.

Pavement reconstruction is scheduled for the Kīlauea Visitor Center parking lot beginning Thursday, February 9, 2012. Traffic flaggers will be in place to assist with parking.

Asphalt sealing is scheduled for the following:
February 8 - Kealakomo parking area.
February 9 - Mauna Ulu and Pauahi Crater parking areas.
February 10 - Pauahi and Puhimau parking areas.

Pavement preservation work is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 on the entire length of Chain of Craters Road and Crater Rim Drive between Devastation Trail and the Entrance Station. This work will take approximately 4 weeks. The roads will be open to traffic, but will be reduced to one lane through the work zones.

Expect up to 15 minute delays through construction areas. Please be observant and aware of the need for caution while driving through work zones. Thank you for your patience.

link to the original road constuction press release

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December 2, 2011 - Temporary closing of ʻĀinahou Ranch House and Grounds for Nēnē Nesting Season - more info (pdf-230KB)

Status of the Park: Park is OPEN - Some Closures are in effect:

-You may need to refresh your browser to see the latest closure updates-

A new eruption began at the west flank of Puʻu ʻOʻo on August 3, 2011. A multi-agency response team continues to monitor eruption and fire conditions. Currently the Chain of Craters Road is OPEN and the trail to Puʻu Huluhulu is OPEN. The Napau Trail beyond Puʻu Huluhulu is OPEN and the Naulu Trail is Open for day use only.

Be aware that high levels of SO2 and/or smoke could occur at anytime. This is a very active area and subject to sudden closure.

• The coastal backcountry is OPEN.
• The Mauna Ulu area and the Puʻu Huluhulu Trail is OPEN.
• The Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground are OPEN.
• The Naulu Trail is OPEN for day use
• The Napau Trail is OPEN for day use
• The Napau Campground is CLOSED
• The Halema`uma`u Trail crossing Kilauea Caldera is CLOSED
• Crater Rim Drive and Crater Rim Trail are CLOSED from the Jaggar Museum south around the caldera to the Chain of Craters Road junction

See links below for access to videos and photos taken of the activity.

August 4, 2011: video of the eruption
August 4, 2011: Press Release "Chain of Craters Road Reopens for Spectacular Evening Views of Kilauea Eruption"
August 5, 2011: Press Release Volcanic "Double-Header" Delights Park Visitors and Challenges Fire Crews

Link to 6 webcams on Kilauea

The following links are to NPS informative posters regarding the Kamoamoa eruption.

March 5, 2011: New Changes in the Eruption of Kilauea (pdf-604KB)
March 9, 2011: Dynamic Forces Transform the Landscape (pdf-663KB)

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Road constuction in the park begins on July 11, 2011. Work will start on Crater Rim Drive at Jaggar Museum and work back to the park entrance at Highway 11. One lane of traffic will remain open with 15 minute delays anticipated Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.|more info|

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Fire Restrictions Updated - March 10, 2011

The following restrictions remain in effect:

• No campfires throughout the park, with the exception of the fire pits at Namakanipaio Campground and Kīpukapuaulu Picnic Area.
• No barbeques at Kulanaokuaiki Campground or Kahuku. Cooking stoves are permitted with appropriate precautions.
• Protect our park - your behavior impacts native plants and animals.

The Volcano House hotel and Namakanipaio Cabins are Closed for seismic and fire safety improvements. Additionally, the National Park Service is seeking a new concessions contract that will restore the facility's overall aesthetic appeal and historic ambiance. The facility is scheduled to reopen in late 2012.

Portions of the Park are Closed
Current Closures are listed below:

• A portion of Crater Rim Drive, between Jaggar Museum and the Chain of Craters Road junction is closed indefinitely due to the fumes and ashfall from the new vent that opened within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater in March 2008.
• The Kaʻu Desert Trail is closed from Jaggar Museum to the Kaʻu Desert Trail Head at Hwy 11.
• The Halemaʻumaʻu Trail and the Byron Ledge Trail leading across Kīlauea Caldera is closed. The Crater Rim Trail from Jaggar Museum to the junction with Chain of Craters Road is closed.
• Napau Crater, Puʻu ʻOʻo, and the park's eastern boundary are closed.
• Volcanic Hazard Areas: Due to immediate and unpredictable volcanic hazards, the slopes of Puʻu ʻOʻo, all ledges, benches and beaches formed at active lava entry points on the coast, as well as specific active lava areas as posted, are closed to all visitors unless they have a permit issued by the Superintendent allowing limited access to those areas for specific scientific research or cultural practices. 

Advisory on Potential Closures:

The prevailing northeast tradewinds generally blow fumes from the volcano away from visitor areas. However, during times of weak winds or winds from the south (the opposite direction), volcanic fumes may impact visitor areas, prompting the park to close. Please be flexible and alert.

What should you do when you notice hazy/smoky/smog-like conditions (VOG)?:

• If you are indoors (museum, visitor center, etc.) - stay indoors with windows closed and air conditioning or air filter turned on - until conditions improve. You may be asked to evacuate.
• If driving a car: Keep vehicle windows closed and run your car air conditioner until you leave the area.

Park rangers monitor air quality and will advise visitors when the situation prompts a closure. When a closure is ordered, please leave the area in an orderly manner with everyone's safety in mind. See: Visitor Alert - SO2 Advisory

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