Kilauea is still keeping us on our toes here in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, with brief pauses quickly interrupted by brilliant displays of lava works. Throngs of visitors continue to flock to the park in hopes of seeing one of the world’s most active volcanoes. 

And if you’re one of them, you may have noticed longer lines and less park rangers than you’d expect. There are a few reasons for that, so to help you prepare for your trip to this iconic national park, we’ve gathered the most recent information, as well as tips for having the most safe, unforgettable experience at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

 NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Delays and Detours

After the federal hiring freeze, a series of workforce reductions led to the cancellation of thousands of seasonal jobs, leaving Hawaii Volcanoes National Park significantly understaffed during peak visitation months. Fortnuate, the rangers that are currently working at the park are dedicated to doing more with less and many volunteers have stepped up to help as well! 

For the most part, visitors tend to explore the park on their own and despite staffing shortages, that won’t change. While you should expect delays near the park entrance, keep your trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on your Hawaii vacation itinerary … or risk missing out on a once in a lifetime chance to see a bubbling, red hot lava lake covering the crater floor! 

Be prepared for some construction, detours, and traffic control as a result of multiple ongoing Disaster Recovery construction projects related to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. Projects will continue near the park entrance, including deconstruction at Uēkahuna and construction of a roundabout.

And if you haven’t heard, Kīlauea Visitor Center is getting an exciting makeover! The center, as well as its restrooms, sidewalks, water station, and most adjacent parking lot are temporarily closed for renovation for the next 18 months or so. Programs held in the Center’s auditorium such as the park’s film are also suspended temporarily. 

In the interim, you can find the park’s rangers, the NPS Passport stamp station, Junior Ranger books, visitor services, and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association staff and store at Kilauea Military Camp’s Koa Room in the Welcome Center, adjacent to the lobby. It’s just 1.2 miles west of the original Visitor Center and parking is available at the adjacent ballfield.

And if the thought of closed restrooms has you in a panic, don’t be! Portable toilets are still available behind the Kilauea Military Camp’s Welcome Center, at the nearby ballfield parking lot, near Kīlauea Visitor Center and the Volcano Art Center Gallery, and at Uēkahuna. We should also mention that delays and detours are not impacting the Volcano Art Center Gallery, which remains open with parking available. 

Additionally, the vault toilets are available at Kīlauea Overlook, Kīlauea Iki Overlook, Devastation, Maunaulu, Hilina Pali Overlook, Kulanaokuaiki, the end of Chain of Craters Road, Kīpukapuaulu day use area, and Kahuku as usual. You can also find portable toilets and a handwashing station at Nāhuku throughout renovations.

There won’t be as many rangers at the temporary Visitors Center to give advice, so be extra patient and kind to the employees there. And don’t do anything unwise that will impede doing their jobs. 

Here’s how you can help out by being safe and prepared

  • Remember, steep cliff edges, volcanic gas, and earth cracks are hazards you’ll find near the eruption. These risks are present even when Kilauea is not erupting, so always stay alert and follow safety guidelines when exploring the park.
  • Plan ahead and bring plenty of your own drinking water. During the renovation closure, the water station at Kīlauea Visitor Center is unavailable. Once Uēkahuna reopens in the weeks ahead, a bottle filling station will be reinstalled. In the meantime, water is available for purchase at Volcano House. 
  • Dress for the terrain and weather. At 4,000-feet, the summit of Kīlauea can see rain, wind, and sun, all in the same day. And depending on what you want to see in the park, you may encounter lava rock, gravel, tree roots, and wet leaves, so a rain jacket and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must! 
  • Park in designated areas only. No matter how busy it is, do not block emergency access for first responders.
  • For the safety of yourself, others, and the native wildlife that call Hawaii Volcanoes National Park home,  stay out of closed areas, pay attention to traffic, and use sidewalks and crosswalks.
  • If you can, bring your own trash bag and plan to take everything out of the park that you bring in (this is a great habit to get into no matter where you go on vacation)!
  • Due to volcanic materials like Pele’s Hair and tephra, certain overlooks may suddenly and temporarily be closed. Before and during your visit, check the park’s website for the latest alerts, open viewing areas, and USGS webcams.

NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Pack Your Aloha

Keep in mind that the rangers and the volunteers at the park are doubling down on work to ensure everyone has an amazing Hawaii Volcanoes National Park experience – Be patient with staff and other visitors, and always pack your aloha. 

Staff cuts at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park can negatively impact local gateway communities like ours, as the park generates significant economic activity. During your Volcano Village stay, support the local businesses at the heart of our town by shopping and dining with them! 

Once you visit Volcano, Hawaii, you’ll see why it’s so special to all of us. That just makes it all the more heartbreaking to see so many friends and neighbors who put their heart into caring for this precious place suddenly unemployed. 

After your Big Island vacation, consider participating in initiatives that aim to protect the future of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and other invaluable lands. To find out more, please visit Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Or send us an email about helping the park or a Volcano Hawaii vacation home rental:  volcanoheritagecottages@gmail.com

Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

With the ongoing eruption of Kilauea, there’s never been a better time to visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and stay at a Volcano Village vacation rental near the National Park. For the best lodging in Volcano Hawaii, we invite you to stay at the Volcano Heritage Cottages. Located in the heart of Volcano Village, Hawaii, our cottages are only five minutes from the park, so book your Volcano Hawaii vacation home rental, stay at Tutu’s Place or the Ola’a House, and make your next Big Island adventure truly unforgettable.