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

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. New planned closures will be announced between two to four weeks in advance. The dates highlighted in yellow are subject to change.

Place	Details	Date
Uēkahuna parking area (click for map)	Partial closure of parking area. Two bus stalls closest to Crater Rim Drive are open to vehicles exceeding 26 feet in length and/or eight feet in width.	Ongoing
Crater Rim Drive West near entrance	A section of the westbound lane between the entrance and visitor center and parking stalls in the gravel lot are temporarily closed for communications line work.	Ongoing
Kīlauea Visitor Center (KVC) parking area (click for map)	Temporary closure of east side of the parking lot for construction work, staging, and trenching which reduces parking by 40% or more at times.	Ongoing
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
Restrooms at Uēkahuna	The restrooms were closed during the deconstruction of the former Jaggar Museum and USGS facilities but will reopen. Portable restrooms are available in the interim.	Ongoing
Haʻakulamanu (Sulphur Banks Boardwalk and Trail)	The boardwalk will close for repairs and replacement.	October 21 - December 12, 2024
Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu	Mauna Loa Road past Kīpukapuaulu to Mauna Loa Lookout will close to all use for survey, drilling and soil sampling work. Mauna Loa Road from Highway 11 to Kīpukapuaulu, Kīpukapuaulu Trail and the day-use area will remain open. The closure starts past Kīpukapuaulu from 8:30 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday due to a large trailer-mounted drill rig and heavy machinery that will dominate the narrow road. Mauna Loa Trail to Puʻuʻulaʻula and Red Hill Cabin will remain open, but access to and from the trailhead during work days will only be permitted before 8:30 a.m. or after 4 p.m. The road will be open to all use on weekends and holidays.	November 4, 2024 thru mid-December (six weeks)
Nāhuku lava tube restrooms	The restrooms will close for rehabilitation.	January 12 - April 3, 2025
Kīlauea Visitor Center, restrooms, lānai and parking	All of Kīlauea Visitor Center, restrooms, lānai and most parking will be closed for up to two years when construction and expansion begins. Temporary visitor services will be available near the historic ball field adjacent to Kilauea Military Camp.	No sooner than January 2025

 

 

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.