Happy King Kamehameha Day! This is the official day we in Hawai’i celebrate King Kamehameha I, or Kamehameha the Great, and his unification of the Hawaiian Islands into one kingdom in the early 19th century (around the same time that George Washington was serving as the first president of the U.S.) And it’s only fitting that in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kīlauea volcano began fountaining this morning, as if to celebrate this historically significant day.
According to USGS HVO reports, lava fountains are exceeding 1,000 feet and drawing quite a crowd. Fortunately, the Uēkahuna observation deck is finally open again, offering plenty of parking! Located where Jaggar Museum and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory buildings once stood, the Uēkahuna observation deck just might be the new hot spot for watching lava fountains set the sky on fire after sunset.
Photo: USGS webcam
Even if you visit during the day… or during a brief pause between volcanic episodes, you can still enjoy views of the ever-changing Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the summit of mighty Mauna Loa rising from the heart of the island. If Madam Pele isn’t feeling shy, you may even feel the heat from the fountaining lava and hear the roar of the erupting Kīlauea volcano.
Uēkahuna is the highest point along Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) and Native Hawaiians were the first to observe the caldera’s volcanic processes, interpreting Kīlauea volcano’s activity for generations before Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in 1912.
In 2018, two large earthquakes, a monumental eruption, and summit collapse that triggered thousands of smaller earthquakes over a four-month period damaged the park’s historic Jaggar Museum and two buildings used by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory so badly that they had to be removed. In May, the area was forced to close.
Uēkahuna observation deck is open!
After seven long years, the Uēkahuna observation deck has been repaired and reopened to the public. Not only has the existing overlook area been repaired and restored, but a historic bench has been restored, new benches added, and native grasses, shrubs, and trees planted around the observation deck. A new path connecting Uēkahuna observation deck to the Crater Rim Trail has been built and the historic stone walls that were damaged by the earthquakes have been repaired.
For your safety, be sure to stay behind these stone walls, as well as post-and-cable barriers at Uēkahuna observation deck and anywhere else along the caldera rim that you choose to watch the eruption from. You wouldn’t want to learn the hard way that there are steep, unstable cliff edges along Kaluapele dropping nearly 500 feet to the crater floor. We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to stay far away from cliff edges and keep your keiki (children) even further away!
Closed areas are closed for a reason, so please stay out. Don’t worry, there are so many incredible places to view Kaluapele that are open all along Crater Rim Trail and old Crater Rim Drive that aren’t a threat to you or endangered plants and animals
There are a few other things to keep in mind before you arrive at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, such as how busy it’s been lately. If you’ve planned your Hawai’i vacation around seeing Madame Pele in action, you’re not alone! A trip to the park for the chance to see the latest eruption is always worth it, but you should be prepared to drive 5 MPH through the construction detour near the entrance. Stop-and-go traffic through the detour and congestion at popular areas at the summit should also be expected.
Due to ongoing construction, bottle filling stations are temporarily unavailable, so be prepared and bring plenty of water. Snacks aren’t a bad idea either!
With so much parking now available at Uēkahuna observation deck, there’s no excuse for parking anywhere but designated areas… or for blocking emergency access or traffic lanes. The rangers and the volunteers at the park work hard to ensure everyone has an amazing Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park experience, so be patient with staff and other visitors, and always pack your aloha.
Photo: NPS Photo/J.Ferracane
For more helpful tips on making the most of your Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park experience, check out these blogs:
The 2025 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Guide
Top 8 Volcano Experiences When Kilauea is Sleeping
What to pack for your Volcano Hawaii trip
For alerts, viewing areas, and USGS webcams, check the park’s website: Plan Your Visit
Once you visit Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, you’ll understand why it’s such a wahi pana (legendary place), with or without an eruption.
Stay Near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
With the ongoing eruption of Kilauea, there’s never been a better time to visit Hawai’i 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’ Ola House. Located in the heart of Volcano Village, it’s only five minutes from the park! Book your Volcano Hawaii vacation home rental today and get ready for a Big Island adventure that you’ll never forget!