Welcome to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii (4528546483) · Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0 · edited
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park reopened most Kīlauea summit areas and the Kahuku Unit after its September 24 closure for Nolo. The National Park Service announced the reopening on September 27. Its notice retained specific road, trail and bridge closures, so the earlier whole-park closure does not describe the reopening status.
The September 27 notice listed Hilina Pali Road past the Mauna Iki trailhead, Mauna Loa Road past the second cattleguard, Kīpukapuaulu Trail and Sulphur Banks Bridge as still closed. Kahuku trails were to open as assessments finished. These are dated operator findings, not a guarantee that every trail is accessible today. Check posted signs and the current park conditions before choosing a route. Our Hawaii Volcanoes National Park guide helps with planning, while our state park closure report covers a separate authority.
- Park: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island.
- Reopened: most Kīlauea summit areas and Kahuku Unit, announced September 27.
- Kahuku trails: openings depend on completed assessments; follow signs and staff advice.
- Closure-period lodging: Volcano House, Kilauea Military Camp and Nāmakanipaio cabins had registered-guest exceptions.
- Remaining restrictions: September 27 notice names four road, trail and bridge closures; check current route status.
What Closed on September 24 and What Reopened
The September 24 NPS closure notice covered the whole park for recreation. The Park Service said backcountry and remaining recreation areas, including Nāmakanipaio tent camping, would be closed by 5 p.m. The Kahuku Unit closed at its normal 4 p.m. time. The September 27 reopening superseded that whole-park restriction; it did not declare every trail or road open.
During the September 24 closure, three lodging options stayed open for registered guests only: Volcano House, Kilauea Military Camp lodging and Nāmakanipaio A-frame cabins. Big Island Video News reported the then-current shelter-in-place instruction. That storm-period instruction should not be treated as a new lodging restriction after the reopening; confirm any reservation or access question with the property.
The Storm Forecast and Subsequent Safety Notices
On Friday, September 25, TravelPulse reported Nolo had become a hurricane about 250 miles south of the Big Island, moving north at about 5 mph. Its report described a track keeping the center south of the main islands, forecasts of up to 35 inches of rain on the Big Island and up to 15 inches on Maui, and warnings of dangerous flash flooding and mudslides. Those were forecasts during the closure, not current weather or visitor-access advice.
The September 27 reopening notice warned hikers about hanging branches, loose rocks and uneven terrain. In a separate October 1 notice, NPS reported that Hōlei Sea Arch had collapsed by the night of September 27, after still standing September 23. The exact collapse time is unknown. NPS did not establish that Nolo caused it, and the coastal safety notice does not announce a new whole-park closure. Stay out of closed areas and back from unstable cliff edges.
Other Big Island Closures During the Storm
During the September 24 to 27 storm period, the national park closure was one of several on Hawaii Island. Hawaii News Now’s closure list reported Thursday and Friday suspensions of county non-emergency services, county park facilities and regular Hele-On buses, plus state park, camping, forest-reserve and Nā Ala Hele trail closures. The September 27 Na Wahine O Ke Kai canoe race was canceled. These historical notices do not establish current status for those separate facilities.
Flights and cruises were also affected during that storm period. TravelPulse reported Delta and American weather waivers for Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Lihue travel on September 26 and 27. Our Pride of America departure-delay report records the separate cruise change. Those dated disruptions are not a forecast for a later trip.
If Your Trip Includes the Park
A planned park visit no longer needs to be postponed solely because of the September 24 whole-park closure. Build the itinerary around the accessible areas and check the park conditions page, trailhead signs and staff advice for the intended route. The September 27 notice asks Kahuku hikers to follow posted signs and check with Welcome Center staff as trail assessments finish.
If a booking was affected during the storm, ask the airline or lodging property about that booking and its applicable terms. Do not assume the expired September 26 and 27 waiver dates cover later travel, or that the park reopening resolves a separate state, county, airline or cruise restriction.
| If you… | What to do |
|---|---|
| Plan a park visit after the reopening | Choose accessible areas and confirm the specific route. |
| Are booked at Volcano House | Confirm reservation and access details with the property. |
| Have a tent site at Nāmakanipaio | Confirm the current campground status and booking separately. |
| Had storm-period flight disruption | Ask the airline about the affected booking; dated waivers do not promise later eligibility. |
| Visit Kahuku or the coastal area | Follow signs and staff advice; stay back from unstable cliffs and out of closed areas. |
Whole-park closure superseded: most summit areas and Kahuku reopened September 27.
Route exceptions matter: the reopening notice retained specific road, trail and bridge closures.
Coastal safety: Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed by September 27; stay away from unstable cliff edges.
Is Hawaii Volcanoes National Park closed?
The September 24 whole-park closure was superseded when NPS announced most summit areas and Kahuku reopened September 27. Specific restrictions remain a separate route check.
Which areas did the reopening notice leave closed?
The September 27 notice listed Hilina Pali Road past Mauna Iki trailhead, Mauna Loa Road past the second cattleguard, Kīpukapuaulu Trail and Sulphur Banks Bridge. Check current conditions before using any specific route.
Is Volcano House open?
Volcano House had a registered-guest exception during the storm closure. Confirm current lodging and access details with the property rather than applying the old shelter instruction to a later trip.
Is the Kahuku Unit closed too?
Kahuku closed September 24 and was included in the September 27 reopening. Individual trails were to open as assessments finished; follow signs and Welcome Center advice.
Where can I check for updates?
Check NPS park conditions, posted signs and park staff for current route restrictions.
