News Release

Incident in closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park results in fatality

News Release Date: March 3, 2026
Contact: HAVO Public Affairs

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – National Park Service personnel responded to an incident on Feb. 26 in a closed area on the east side of Kīlauea caldera within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The volcano was not erupting at the time of the incident.  

Search and rescue personnel conducted operations overnight in steep and hazardous terrain. On Feb. 27, responders located the individual and airlifted him from the area. He was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. 

The individual was a 33-year-old Hawaiʻi resident. The park has notified the family and is withholding the name pending privacy considerations. 

The incident remains under investigation. 

Kīlauea caldera contains hazardous terrain, including unstable cliff edges and volcanic features. Visitors are reminded to remain in designated open areas and comply with all closures. 

More information is available at www.nps.gov/havo. 
 

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About the National Park Service. The National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future generations. Learn more at nps.gov.

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