06/14/2026
🌋Kīlauea is erupting. Episode kanahā kūmāiwa (49) began at 9:36 a.m. HST, according to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The north vent fountain is now about 300 feet high and growing. The gas plume is about 12,000 feet above sea leavel and moving to the southwest.
Park managers are not expecting temporary closures at this time, but that could change based on wind direction, volcanic gas and tephra fallout.
✔️Planning to visit? Stay safe and follow this check list:
🚧 Stay out of closed areas. Serious injuries have occurred in closed areas, and entering puts you and park staff at risk. Excellent, safe viewing opportunities are available in open areas.
🧠Stay away from cliff edges, they are unstable and undercut. If you feel the ground shaking, move further away from the caldera edge.
💯Monitor air quality: https://www.nps.gov/havo/air-quality-alert.htm. If unhealthy levels of volcanic gas (vog) are present or tephra starts falling, leave the area.
🚫Temporary closures may occur if vog or tephra (falling volcanic material) create hazardous conditions.
🥽Protect yourself from tephra: shelter indoors or in your vehicle; use eye protection, hat, long sleeves/pants, gloves. Dust masks help protect your respiratory system from tephra (not vog).
🚗Expect heavy traffic near the entrance and along Hwy 11.
🛑Slow down, follow signs, watch for detours, and listen to rangers.
🚙Park only in designated areas; don’t block roads or emergency access.
🔒Do NOT leave valuables in your car — most break-ins happen when items are left visible.
🚶🏽➡️Pedestrians: stay alert and use sidewalks/crosswalks.
👀Watch for nēnē on roads and in parking lots; never feed wildlife.
📲Check park alerts, viewing areas, webcams & livestreams: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm
📸Photo courtesy of Jean Campbell, lava erupts in a wide fountain from Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit of Kīlauea volcano.
PS: Today is a fee-free day in observance of Flag Day. Expect heavy traffic and limited parking.
