KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Volcanoes National Park hopes to reopen parts of the popular site by Sept. 22, provided the pause in earthquakes and collapses/explosions at the Kilauea summit continues, the National Park Service said.
A press release from the park said precise details of what will be open are still being determined, but any opening would come with limited hours and services, with only some areas open for safe visits.
The target date, Sept. 22, would fall on National Public Lands Day, a fee-free day.
“We have the difficult task ahead of us of identifying what we can safely open. Our first step will be bringing staff back into the park, while getting assessments done,” said Superintendent Cindy Orlando at a talk-story Tuesday. “National Public Lands Day is our goal but not definitive.
Orlando and staff are hosting a series of talk-stories to get feedback on the direction the park should take upon reopening, including issues of congestion and pressing a “reset button” to explore whether the park should continue its current level of welcoming more than two million visitors every year.
The next talk story is scheduled for 10 a.m., Aug. 23 in Kahuku unless impacts from Hurricane Lane necessitate a change in schedule.