Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed portions of the park to the public as a result of the federal government shutdown.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed portions of the park to the public as a result of the federal government shutdown.
The closures are for visitor safety due to the lapse in federal appropriations along with the ongoing eruptions at the Kilauea volcano summit and the Pu‘u ‘O‘o vent, according to a Saturday park news release.
Lawmakers failed to pass a spending bill Friday, spurring the shutdown.
“The hazardous geologic processes and the immediate threats to visitor health and safety necessitate the restriction of access to areas that are volcanically active,” the release said. “… We reiterate that hazards associated with the active volcano pose a significant risk to the safety of visitors in the absence of National Park Service staff.”
Closed areas include the entire summit area of Kilauea, Crater Rim Drive, Chain of Craters Road and the active lava flow within the park boundary.
Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp guests must depart by Monday morning. The Volcano Art Center Gallery also is closed.
Highway 11 through the park remains open along with Mauna Loa Road to Kipukapuaulu. The Kipukapuaulu Trail, the day-use area and tree molds also are open along with the Ka‘u Desert Trail to the Footprints exhibit shelter.
Access might change without notice and there are no National Park Service-provided services. Back-country permits also will not be issued and overnight camping will not be permitted.
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WOw, time to get our volcanoes back. Feds dont need to control that, specially if everytime they get their panties in a bunch the island suffers.