News Release

August 2025 events & updates at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

A couple watches from Crater Rim Trail as lava erupts and fountains from Kīlauea volcano

NPS Photo/J.Wei

News Release Date: July 18, 2025

Contact: Jessica Ferracane, 808-985-6018

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park announces updates and events for August 2025. Photos are available.  

Kīlauea Eruption and Visitor Impacts. Kīlauea volcano continues to attract thousands of visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park who are excited to observe the historic eruption. During fountaining episodes, traffic is often stop-and-go miles before the park entrance. Construction detours add to the congestion entering and exiting the park. While some eruptions are visible from areas along Highway 11, the park reminds everyone not to park along the highway shoulders, which are meant for emergency pullovers. Stopping along the highway creates unsafe conditions and more congestion. Be patient and expect delays through September when the entrance construction will be complete. When entering the park, know where you want to go, follow all signage, traffic control directions and the 5-mph speed limit through the detours. Be aware that there could be a line for restrooms and portable toilets during periods of heavy visitation. 

Construction Updates  
 
Construction Continues. Disaster Recovery construction projects resulting from the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse continue. Visitors should expect delays, detours, and traffic control at the park entrance and Crater Rim Drive – especially during the volcano’s ongoing eruptive episodes.

Roundabout and Realignment Work. The new roundabout traffic circle near the park entrance is almost done! Please slow down, drive safely and stay alert! The roundabout is part of a larger plan to realign Crater Rim Drive that includes an additional administrative lane for park staff and partners at the entrance, and an exit pullout before the highway. The realignment project should be finished this September and will make driving in the park much easier and safer.  
 
Welcome to the Welcome Center! Kīlauea Visitor Center is closed for renovation but park rangers, the NPS Passport stamp station, Junior Ranger books, visitor services and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store have relocated to the temporary Welcome Center at Kilauea Military Camp (KMC) on Crater Rim Drive east, about a 1.2-mile drive from the closed visitor center. Park at the adjacent ballfield; parking in front of KMC is for registered guests only. The Welcome Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The renovated visitor center is scheduled to reopen in Summer 2026.  

Uēkahuna Update. The deconstruction project to remove buildings and infrastructure damaged by the 2018 summit collapse is complete and the observation deck at Uēkahuna is now open. This area, where Jaggar Museum and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory facilities once were, offers views of Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera), improved trail access and lots of parking. An outline of the former Jaggar Museum footprint includes stones from the historic building’s original columns. The Uēkahuna comfort station will reopen to visitors in the weeks ahead. 

Switchback Work Scheduled for Kīlauea Iki Trail. The western switchbacks of Kīlauea Iki Trail are temporarily closed for repairs and safety upgrades. The work occurs Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the switchbacks are open to hikers outside of those hours. The rest of the popular 3.3-mile trail is open. The work will be complete by September 30. 

Where to Go? Portable toilets are available behind the Welcome Center at Kilauea Military Camp, at the nearby ballfield parking lot, near Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Volcano Art Center Gallery, and at Uēkahuna. Vault toilets are available at Kīlauea Overlook, Kīlauea Iki Overlook, Devastation, Maunaulu, Hilina Pali Overlook, Kulanaokuaiki, the end of Chain of Craters Road, Kīpukapuaulu day use area, and Kahuku. The Nāhuku comfort station is open. Please note that there could be a line for restrooms and portable toilets during heavy visitation. 

Got Water? Visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park need to bring their own drinking water for their park adventures. The water station at Kīlauea Visitor Center is unavailable during the renovation closure. A bottle filling station will be reinstalled at Uēkahuna once it reopens in the months ahead. Water is available for purchase at Volcano House.  

Highway 11 Hole Drilling and Power Pole Replacement. HELCO’s Line Relocation and Replacement project continues with hole digging and power pole replacement along Highway 11 in the park. The upgrades will provide more reliable electricity island-wide. Sections of this line were built in the early 1950s. The project went out to the public for comment. More information and the Environmental Assessment can be found online.   

Park Events 
 
All events are free, but park entrance fees apply. Some programs are sponsored by the Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Programs are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Check the park calendar for more information.

Fee-free Day for the Great American Outdoors Act. August 4 is the fifth anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), landmark legislation that has made a huge difference for the National Park Service and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The GAOA provides up to $1.3 billion a year for five years and enables parks to make large-scale repairs and improvements. At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, GAOA funds support critical fence and greenhouse repairs, water treatment system rehabilitation and improvements to Mauna Loa Road. 
When: Monday, August 4 – all day 
Where: All fee-charging national parks 

Kahuku Unit Guided Hikes. Weekend ranger-guided hikes are back in Kahuku! Topics and routes vary, inquire with rangers at the Visitor Contact Station.  
When: August 2, 3 & 16
Where: Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Hwy 11 in Kaʻū.   
 
Picnic in the Park. Pack a picnic or buy some kaukau from a food vendor and join us in Kahuku for free day of hula and mele (Hawaiian music! Kumu Hula Keala Ching and his hālau Nā Wai Iwi Ola will open the festivities at 11 a.m., followed by Kumu Lori Lei Shirakawa Katahara and Lori Leiʻs Hula Studio at noon. At 1 p.m., Nā Hoku Hanohano award-winning recording artist Kainani Kahaunaele will perform with her trio. This festive day of mele and hula is sponsored by the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association and co-sponsored by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. 
When: Saturday, August 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
Where: The Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Hwy 11 in Kaʻū.    

Stewardship at the Summit Rainforest Restoration. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment with written consent is required. Visit the park website for details.  
When: August 9, 16, 23 & 30. Meet at 8:45 a.m.   
Where: Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center parking lot on the dates above. (The meeting place is open during the visitor center renovation.)  
  
Ranger-Guided Programs at Kīlauea Summit. Did you know that Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park offers free guided programs nearly every day? Experience Life on the Edge at Uēkahuna, Explore the Summit and other ranger programs by checking the park calendar for dates, times and descriptions or drop by the Welcome Center.   
When: Almost daily   
Where: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea summit  

-NPS-

 
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