News Release

Dismantling of former Jaggar Museum and USGS-operated facilities will begin April 8

The damaged Jaggar Museum and USGS-operated facilities at Uēkahuna bluff are slated for removal starting 4/8/2024

NPS Photo/J.Wei

News Release Date: March 28, 2024

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Three buildings in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park that sustained damage during the 2018 summit collapse and eruption of Kīlauea volcano will be dismantled starting Monday, April 8. 

What: The removal of the former Jaggar Museum, and two buildings used by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (USGS HVO), the Okamura Building and the Geochemistry Annex. 

The restrooms at Uēkahuna will temporarily close for the duration of the deconstruction project. Portable lua (restrooms) will be available and ranger programs will continue. 

When: Dismantling of the exterior walls and roofs begins Monday, April 8, 2024 and will continue for the next several months. The buildings will be deconstructed one section at a time. Work will likely begin on the north side of the Okamura Building and Observation Tower then proceed to Jaggar Museum and the Geochemistry Annex. 

Where: Uēkahuna bluff, at the summit of Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 
 
Why:  Work continues on Phase One of the Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Disaster Recovery Project. The buildings were irreparably damaged during the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kīlauea volcano, the most destructive eruptive event in Hawai‘i in more than 200 years. Construction has begun on the new USGS HVO field station near the historic ballfield at Kilauea Military Camp. 

How to stay informed: Construction closures and delays are updated on the park’s new construction webpage: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/construction-closures.htm. 
 

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