News Release

Most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is Closed in Anticipation of Possible Explosive Steam Event at Kīlauea Summit

Photo of park entrance station with closure signs and NPS Law Enforcement

NPS Photo

News Release Date: May 11, 2018

Contact: Jessica Ferracane/Public Affairs Specialist, 808-985-6018

Hawaii National Park, Hawai‘i – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park closed Friday due to ongoing seismic activity and the anticipated explosive steam event and possibility of rock and ash fall at the summit of Kīlauea Volcano.

Who: Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park 

What: Closure of most of the park. Only the Kahuku Unit will be open during its normal hours, Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. a one-hour drive south of the main park entrance.

When: Friday, May 11, 2018 until further notice

Why: Safety. Due to the anticipated steam-induced explosion at the summit of Kīlauea due to the receding lava lake, and the possibility of a rock and ash fall event, the majority of the park is closed until further notice. We will reopen when it is safe to do so.

What’s New: At the request of the park, the FAA has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) that extends 20,000 feet AGL and a 12 nautical mile radius around the summit of Kīlauea. 

Editor’s Note: News media will not be allowed into the closed section of the park. News media are prohibited from setting up cameras near the entrance station for safety reasons. The park will provide updates on tomorrow's media conference at 11 a.m. Hawai‘i Standard Time 

-NPS-