Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is currently suffering from extreme weather — but it’s not coming from the park’s many active volcanoes.
The aftermath of Hurricane Lala, which passed by the state over the weekend, has closed most of the national park and left it without basic services. The category 1 storm did not make landfall, but heavy amounts of wind and rain were enough to cause major damage.
The Storm
Hurricane Lala began forming on August 12 and first edged the Big Island on Saturday, August 15, according to reporting from NPR. The National Hurricane Center issued a public advisory, warning of strong surf and possible danger from downed trees.
The storm moved slowly, allowing ample time for heavy winds (up to 140 mph) and rain to batter the islands. From Saturday until the end of Sunday, some areas of the state got as much as 3 feet of rain. The storm left the island chain on Sunday, and was then downgraded to a tropical storm. Across Hawai’i, Maui, and Oahu (the three biggest islands), 130,000 households lost power.
The Park
In the interest of visitor and staff safety, the National Park Service (NPS) preemptively closed parts of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park on August 13 and 14. In a press release on August 17, the NPS announced that many sections of the park would remain closed due to storm damage. Crater Rim Drive West from the park entrance to Uēkahuna at the summit of Kīlauea volcano was reopened, but not the welcome center.
The rest of the park is closed, including the Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, campgrounds, and backcountry areas. The park also has no internet, cell service, or power. The Kaʻū District of the park, which is home to popular trails like the Palm Trail, suffered some of the worst damage. Heavy flooding took out many of the area’s roads and bridges.
“Visitors are advised to take their safety seriously. Although the hurricane has passed, hazards remain in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, including falling trees, unstable slopes, flooding, debris, and damaged roads and facilities,” park officials said.
Park staff is attempting to balance removing downed trees and working on repairs with disruptions to their lives brought by the storm.
“Many park staff, their families, and nearby communities are recovering from hurricane impacts. Changes to services could change without notice,” park officials said.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park attracted 1.8 million visitors in 2025, up over 400,000 from 2024, according to NPS data. The summer months are when it receives some of the most visitor traffic. There is no timeline for when the park may fully reopen.
