Construction Closures and Delays

Expect Area Closures and Delays at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has begun a two-year construction project to repair, improve or remove damaged buildings and infrastructure at the summit of Kīlauea. Park visitors and tour operators should expect delays at the entrance station, temporary area closures, and limited parking.

Delays and lack of parking will be even more severe during periods of high visitation such as during an eruption and the traditional busy months of December, January, June, July, and August.

The construction project includes:

• Removal of the earthquake-damaged Jaggar Museum and USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory buildings and temporary closure of the restrooms at Uēkahuna
• A new roundabout west of the entrance station to improve safety and traffic flow
• Construction of a new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field station west of Kilauea Military Camp
• Temporary closure and complete renovation of the Kīlauea Visitor Center and adjacent restrooms
• Replacement and relocation of power, fiber, and water lines in different phases

Are you a frequent park visitor? Bookmark this page and check back before each visit for the latest closure updates.

 

Construction Schedule

Construction is following a dynamic schedule to allow for flexibility and adjustment for the constantly changing conditions at Kīlauea. The dates highlighted in yellow are subject to change.

Place	Details	Date
Kīlauea Visitor Center (KVC)	KVC, its restrooms, sidewalk, lānai and about half its parking are closed during renovations for up to two years from February 18, 2025. A temporary Welcome Center and the park store are available at Kilauea Military Camp daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Parking is available at the ball field.	From February 18, 2025
Crater Rim Drive and roundabout	Construction continues on the roundabout area just west of the park entrance. The roundabout will improve safety and make driving around the park easier and is part of a larger plan to realign Crater Rim Drive and create an additional administrative lane at the entrance station for park staff and partners. The roundabout work will be finished in September 2025.	Ongoing, but major traffic flow patterns to change starting April 14, 2025
Tree Molds Road closure (click for map)	During construction (Monday to Friday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.), Tree Molds Road will be temporarily closed to vehicles. Pedestrians are permitted only on the paved sections of Tree Molds Road and must exercise caution, yielding to heavy equipment on the roadways. However, access to Tree Molds Road via the northern gravel road from the horse corral is closed during construction periods.	Ongoing
Park entrance	Expect intermittent inbound lane closures at the entrance station during repairs and construction work. Temporary traffic control signage is in place to ensure traffic flow in the other lane.	Ongoing
Uēkahuna	The deconstruction of Jaggar Museum and USGS facilities is complete, and the area should reopen by April 2025. The restrooms remain closed but will reopen in the weeks ahead after the new water catchment tank is installed and the system is inspected and operable. Portable restrooms are available in the interim.	Ongoing
Nāhuku lava tube restrooms	The restrooms are closed for rehabilitation but should reopen by the end of March 2025.	Ongoing

 

 

To access a version of the park map that is accessible, please visit the Maps webpage.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the park close during the construction?

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will remain open 24 hours during the construction, however access to overlooks and parking lots at the summit of Kīlauea may be temporarily delayed during periods of intense visitation, especially if an eruption occurs. Visitors and tours will be directed to other areas in the park including sites along Chain of Craters Road and Mauna Loa Road. 

How long will the construction last?

The project began in January 2024 and is expected to last up to two years.

Will I still be able to see an eruption?

It depends. Eruptions are impossible to predict and can occur throughout the park. When an eruption is happening, check the park home page prior to your visit to find out the best viewing locations and options.

What are some ranger tips to avoid construction?

Construction will be concentrated at the summit of Kīlauea, a relatively small area of the park. Plan to explore destinations away from the summit such as Chain of Craters Road, Maunaulu, Puʻuloa, and Mauna Loa Road. Also, don't overlook Kahuku! It's just a one-hour drive southwest of the Kīlauea summit, situated on the ma uka (uphill) side of Highway 11 near mile marker 70.5.

How will visitor services change during the construction project?

To reduce congestion and disperse visitors to less-crowded locations, the park may adjust services at the visitor center. Park rangers will be stationed at alternate overlooks and parking areas to provide information, and traffic control staff will direct visitors to less-congested areas in the park. 

In addition, vehicles more than 25 feet long and 8 feet wide will not be able to access Uēkahuna until the deconstruction and overlook repairs are complete, which may take almost two years to complete. The large vehicles are not allowed past Kilauea Military Camp, but can still access Kīlauea Visitor Center and Steam Vents parking lots.  

Will Jaggar Museum be rebuilt?

Jaggar Museum will not be rebuilt. Guidance from the park’s General Management Plan was used to analyze the potential options, after which the NPS received public and consulting party feedback during the Environmental Assessment review period. Instead, Kīlauea Visitor Center will be rehabilitated and redesigned during Phase Two of the construction period to accommodate the lost visitor services provided at Jaggar Museum. 

What will visitors experience at the new Uēkahuna viewing area? 

The park is restoring a more culturally appropriate experience at Uēkahuna,  considered by Native Hawaiians and other groups as a sacred area. The buildings will be removed but some of the original stone masonry and low rock walls will remain. Interpretive displays will be minimal as to not impede the panoramic views.

 

Duration:

1 minute, 3 seconds

We appreciate your patience and understanding throughout the construction period.