A historic observation deck that provides panoramic views of the caldera at Hawaii's Kīlauea volcano is open again, seven years after it closed.
The spot, called Uēkahuna, sits at an elevation of more than 4,000 feet and is the highest point on Kīlauea. It closed in May 2018 after two large earthquakes, a catastrophic eruption, and summit collapse followed by thousands of smaller quakes over the next several months.
The observation deck allows visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see the spectacular landscape across the caldera, into Halemaʻumaʻu crater and up the summit of Mauna Loa. Most recently, that included a soaring red-hot lava fountain.
“We are delighted to welcome everyone back to Uēkahuna,” said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes 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.”
For safety reasons, visitors should stay behind the stone walls and barriers at Uēkahuna and elsewhere along the caldera rim. Steep and unstable cliff edges drop approximately 500 feet to the crater floor below.
Uēkahuna is a wahi pana, or legendary place, deeply revered by generations of Native Hawaiians who were the first to observe and interpret the volcanic processes within the caldera. Its historic stone walls were restored as part of the repair work.
The park's historic Jaggar Museum and two buildings used by the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory were also badly damaged in 2018. Both were demolished last year. The USGS facility is being moved farther away from the caldera rim. The museum footprint remains with stones from its original columns but will not be rebuilt.
The restrooms and comfort station at Uēkahuna are expected to reopen later this summer. Upgrades at the site also include a new path connecting the observation deck to Crater Rim Trail along the rim of the caldera, as well as several benches and native landscaping.
The nearby Kīlauea Visitor Center is undergoing renovations and is slated to reopen by summer 2026.
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