A bit more of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has become accessible.
The park announced through social media Saturday that a 0.8-mile section Halema‘uma‘u Trail opened, which brings visitors from the rainforest summit of Kilauea to the floor of the caldera.
The trail can be found by following Crater Rim Trail to Halema‘uma‘u Trailhead on the west side of Volcano House.
Additionally, another section of the Ka‘u Desert Trail was opened.
According to the park, that trail is open from Pepeiao Cabin/Ka‘aha Trail intersection and to Hilina Pali Overlook.
Sections of the park have remained closed as a result of damage sustained from the dozens of caldera collapses associated with last year’s eruption on Kilauea’s lower East Rift Zone.
The park, except for the Kahuku unit, was closed for 134 days during that period, and partially closed again for another 35 days during the recent federal government shutdown.
As of Friday, the park listed the following areas as closed on its website:
• The Pu‘u Pua‘i Overlook (to protect Nene);
• Jaggar Museum (indefinitely);
• Crater Rim Drive between Kilauea Military Camp and Jaggar Museum;
• Hilina Pali Road past Kulanaokuaiki closed to vehicles but open to pedestrians and bicycles;
• Crater Rim Trail beyond Kilauea Military Camp;
• Iliahi Trail;
• Crater Rim Trail from Volcano House to Kilauea Iki;
• Kilauea Iki Trail;
• Thurston Lava Tube;
• Mauna Loa summit.
Thurston Lava Tube is one of the areas closed due to safety concerns following the collapse events. Surveys were done late last year but an opening date has not been announced.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
