Hawaii’s Iconic Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses Into Pacific Ocean

Hawaii’s iconic Hōlei Sea Arch has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean, disappearing just days after visitors were still photographing the landmark. The 90-foot arch at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island was standing firm Wednesday, September 23, but was gone by Sunday night, according to the National Park Service.

Officials do not know exactly when the tourist attraction fell and suspect it may have happened while the park was temporarily closed for three days during Tropical Storm Nolo. Nolo brought heavy rain and powerful winds to the Big Island last week, triggering flash flooding and road closures. The loss marks the sudden end of a landmark that stood for over five centuries along the volcanic coastline. Greece Blast Videos: 6 Dead, Including 4 US Citizens, After Athens Building Collapses.

Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses: Severe Weather and Structural Instability Trigger Fall

Visitors were warned to stay away from the site near Hōlei Sea Arch, where the cliffs drop straight into the Pacific and can collapse without warning. Despite the dangers, photos posted on social media show people entering the closed area near where the arch once stood, officials said, putting themselves at risk of falling into the ocean and endangering first responders.

The arch had been a popular focal point for travelers right up until the storm arrived. “We were just there on September 23rd around 10 am and are probably some of the last few to see it still standing,” one visitor wrote on Facebook. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. The park is a major tourist destination, drawing visitors to its volcanic landscapes and lava fields.

Decades of Seismic and Surf Erosion Along Chain of Craters Road

Hōlei Sea Arch stood at the end of Chain of Craters Road and formed about 550 years ago as waves carved through an ancient lava flow. The collapse followed years of cracks, earthquakes and pounding surf that had battered the site.

Geological shifts had progressively weakened the basalt foundation over recent years. Earthquakes during the 2018 Kilauea eruption and summit collapse damaged the cliffs around the arch. New cracks and instability prompted Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to close the original viewing area in January 2020.

A safer viewing area farther from the cliff edge opened in March 2020. Later that year, Tropical Storm Darby’s massive surf knocked a section of rock loose from the arch’s lower portion, setting the stage for its final collapse.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 02, 2026 04:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).