Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including the Kahuku Unit, will temporarily close today Friday, August 21st by 5:00 p.m. ahead of a new storm system that could once again bring torrential rainfall and high winds to Hawaiʻi Island as early as Saturday.  

The park is still without power, internet or phone lines as the community, and many park employees, volunteers and partners, recover from the devastating impacts of last weekend’s Hurricane Lala. 

The park could be closed during the next KÄ«lauea episode if the eruption occurs during the storm safety closure. According to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, data indicate the onset of the next fountaining episode is likely to start between Saturday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 26th. Overlap with the storm could create extreme conditions not suitable for viewing. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory hasn’t had power since Hurricane Lala, but are continuing to monitor volcanic and seismic hazards using backup generators. 

In the event of an eruption and storm overlap, in a coordinated effort with the County of HawaiÊ»i to prioritize safety and reduce non-essential traffic on island roadways, Highway 11 will only be open to area residents between the park entrance and Kaʻū.   

Overnight guests of Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House with existing reservations will be allowed park access but will be required to shelter in place once the closure is in place.   Due to the ongoing power and communications outage, emergency services in the park are limited and the park’s air quality monitoring system is down. All of the park’s programs are canceled during the storm safety closure.  

Tim Konrad is the founder and publisher of Unofficial Networks, a leading platform for skiing, snowboarding, and outdoor adventure. With over 20 years in the ski industry, Tim’s global ski explorations...