Fatality Reported in Closed Area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Incident under investigation after individual airlifted from hazardous terrain

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Last month, National Park Service personnel responded to an incident in a closed area on the east side of Kīlauea caldera within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. On Feb. 27, responders located a 33-year-old individual, whose identity has yet to be released, and airlifted him from the area. He was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The incident remains under investigation.

Why it matters

Kīlauea caldera contains hazardous terrain, including unstable cliff edges and volcanic features, and visitors are reminded to remain in designated open areas and comply with all closures for their own safety. This incident highlights the importance of park safety protocols and the risks involved in unauthorized access to restricted areas.

The details

National Park Service personnel responded to an incident in a closed area on the east side of Kīlauea caldera within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Responders located a 33-year-old individual and airlifted him from the area, transporting him to Hilo Benioff Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

  • On Feb. 27, responders located the individual and airlifted him from the area.

The players

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for managing and protecting the United States national parks, including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Hilo Benioff Medical Center

A hospital located in Hilo, Hawaii that received the individual airlifted from the incident site.

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What’s next

The incident remains under investigation by the National Park Service.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the importance of heeding park safety protocols and avoiding unauthorized access to hazardous, restricted areas within national parks like Hawaii Volcanoes.