Kīlauea summit viewing area reopens in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Release date: May 28, 2025

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaiʻi – An observation deck at Kīlauea volcano’s summit that provides panoramic views of the caldera has reopened in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photos available.

Called Uēkahuna, the highest point on Kīlauea is a wahi pana (legendary place) steeped in centuries of Hawaiian tradition. Here one can look across the caldera, into the ever-changing Halemaʻumaʻu crater, gaze upslope to the summit of Mauna Loa, and watch koaʻe kea (white-tailed tropicbirds) soar above the crater walls.  

The area has been closed since May 2018, following two large earthquakes, a catastrophic eruption and summit collapse that triggered thousands of smaller earthquakes over a four-month period. The park’s historic Jaggar Museum and two buildings used by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory were badly damaged and removed. Deconstruction began in April 2024 and is now complete. 

Although the buildings are gone, the observation deck and historic stone walls, once crumbling and riddled with fractures from the 2018 earthquakes, are repaired. An outline of the former Jaggar Museum footprint includes stones from the original columns to commemorate the historic building. And a new USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory field station is being built near the historic ballfield by Kilauea Military Camp, further away from the rim of the caldera.

“We are delighted to welcome everyone back to Uēkahuna,” said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. “We deeply appreciate how understanding the community and park visitors have been during the construction process, and mahalo those who provided feedback on the options.” 

A new path now connects the observation deck to Crater Rim Trail along the rim of the caldera, and the area is replanted with native shrubs, grasses and trees near the observation deck. A historic stone bench was restored, and several new benches that replicate the historic look have been added.  

The restrooms and comfort station at Uēkahuna will reopen once the new water tank is complete and passes inspection, projected for later this summer.

Uēkahuna is deeply revered by generations of Native Hawaiians who were the first to observe and interpret the volcanic processes within Kaluapele (Kīlauea caldera) and an important site for western science ever since Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar founded the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in 1912.   

Jaggar Museum will not be rebuilt. Instead, the renovated Kīlauea Visitor Center (KVC) will accommodate the lost visitor services provided at Jaggar Museum.  KVC is slated to reopen by summer 2026.  

Visitors are urged to stay behind the stone walls and post-and-cable barriers at Uēkahuna and elsewhere along the caldera rim for their safety. Steep and unstable cliff edges along Kaluapele drop approximately 500 feet to the crater floor.

Currently in eruption, Kilauea is unleashing lava through over a dozen fissures, consuming everything in its path—including entire neighborhoods—and forcing thousands to evacuate. At times, lava fountains have soared higher than the torch of New York’s Statue of Liberty.

Believe it or not, this fiery landscape once hosted a golf course. Just east of the visitor center, the remains of the old club still stand, where golfers once stayed overnight. The 19th hole? The volcano’s massive caldera.

Tune in and watch the smoldering craters and glowing lava flows, right from your screen. This is nature in its most untamed form—mesmerizing, powerful, and unforgettable.

Don’t miss your front-row seat to this fiery spectacle—available anytime, anywhere.

And this is just the beginning. Explore even more volcanic wonders with our live webcams from famous volcanoes around the world.

Exploring the Wonders Around Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

A visit to Kilauea isn’t just about the volcano—it’s a journey through ancient landscapes, rich Hawaiian culture, and natural marvels. Here are a few must-see stops to complete your adventure:

Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park

Home to both Kilauea and Mauna Loa, this park offers an extraordinary look into the geological forces that shaped the islands. Hike along lava trails, explore rainforests, and drive the scenic Crater Rim Drive for panoramic views of volcanic landscapes.

Thurston Lava Tube (Nāhuku)

Step into the earth’s past as you walk through this fascinating underground tunnel, formed centuries ago by flowing lava. Surrounded by lush rainforest, it's a surreal and otherworldly experience.

Jaggar Museum Observation Deck

While the museum itself remains closed due to volcanic activity, the observation deck near Halemaʻumaʻu Crater still provides one of the best vantage points for viewing volcanic activity and learning about the island’s volcanic heritage.

Punaluu Black Sand Beach

Just a short drive from Kilauea, this iconic beach features jet-black volcanic sand and often hosts endangered Hawaiian sea turtles basking in the sun—a peaceful counterpoint to the island’s fiery heart.

 Chain of Craters Road

Take this scenic drive through dramatic lava fields and along steep cliffs where the island meets the sea. Witness the ever-evolving landscape where lava meets ocean, forging new land in real-time.

Kilauea Visitor Center

Your gateway to the volcano. Get the latest updates on volcanic activity, safety guidelines, and learn about local conservation efforts. Participate in ranger-led talks and explore interactive exhibits that deepen your appreciation of this unique environment.

The 17th episode of the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea volcano began at 10:15 p.m. HST on April 7, 2025, with lava overflowing from the south vent. The eruption started earlier than expected, as scientists had anticipated it between April 10 and 13. The lava flow was preceded by an increase in glow from the south vent, indicating rising lava levels. By 2:50 a.m. HST on April 8, lava was overflowing, spreading across the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu, with low spatter fountains reaching 15-30 feet high.

The eruption is accompanied by a steady increase in seismic tremor and slight deflation in the UWD tilt. Lava fountains are expected to grow higher, as seen in previous episodes, where fountains reached over 1,000 feet. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions are elevated, potentially reaching 50,000 tonnes per day, similar to previous episodes. Visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and nearby residents may be exposed to volcanic glass fragments (Peleʻs hair) carried in the plume, just as in episode 16.

Kīlauea Volcano Update (April 3, 2025)

• Current Status:

  • Alert Level: WATCH

  • Aviation Color Code: ORANGE

  • The ongoing eruption at Halemaʻumaʻu crater (Kīlauea's summit) entered Episode 16 on April 2, 2025, with lava fountaining stopping by noon HST.

  • The eruption began on December 23, 2024, and has had 16 episodes of varying lava fountaining intensity.

  • Eruption activity is confined to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, with no significant activity in Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone.

• Recent Observations:

  • The cessation of lava fountaining (Episode 16) occurred at 12:03 p.m. HST on April 2.

  • Gas emissions are high but have decreased slightly from the fountaining levels, with sulfur dioxide (SO2) being the primary component. The plume is blowing northward.

  • The volcano has been undergoing summit inflation, indicating magma re-pressurization and suggesting that another fountaining episode may begin in the next week (April 10–13, 2025).

  • Pele's Hair and volcanic glass fragments remain present around the summit area, with wind potentially spreading these hazards.

• Volcanic Hazards:

  • Gas emissions (including SO2 and vog) pose health risks, especially downwind.

  • Pele's Hair—fine volcanic glass—can irritate skin and eyes and be dispersed by wind.

  • Rockfalls, ground cracking, and wall instability around the summit and caldera remain significant hazards, particularly near the closed area of Halemaʻumaʻu crater.

• Rift Zone:

  • Seismic activity and ground deformation are minimal in the East and Southwest Rift Zones.

  • Sulfur dioxide emissions from the rift zone are below detection limits.

• Expected Next Activity:

  • Based on inflation data, a new lava fountaining episode is expected within 7-10 days (April 10-13, 2025). Further updates will refine the prediction window.

• Additional Information:

  • Cameras and sensors have been temporarily offline due to damage sustained during high fountaining events on March 26, 2025.

  • Continued monitoring by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and coordination with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and local Civil Defense.