Sections of Kīlauea Summit Reopen After Eruption

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park clears volcanic debris to restore access to parts of the summit area.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 1:22am

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Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has reopened sections of Kīlauea's summit, including Crater Rim Drive West, following this week's eruption. Cleanup crews are actively clearing volcanic ash, rock, and glass (tephra) from roads, overlooks, and other summit areas. However, some areas remain closed due to deep tephra coverage.

Why it matters

The reopening of the Kīlauea summit is an important step in restoring access and tourism to this popular volcanic destination in Hawaii. The eruption caused significant debris and damage, requiring extensive cleanup efforts before the park could safely welcome visitors back.

The details

Cleanup crews have been working to clear volcanic ash, rock, and glass (tephra) from roads, overlooks, and other summit areas of Kīlauea. Highway 11 and most trails accessible from open trailheads are now open, while other areas will reopen once debris removal is complete. The deepest tephra fall in the park is at Uēkahuna overlook and parking lot, which are currently closed and covered in tephra up to a foot deep.

  • The eruption occurred earlier this week.
  • Sections of the Kīlauea summit have now reopened.

The players

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

A U.S. national park located in the Hawaiian Islands, known for its active volcanoes, including Kīlauea.

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What’s next

The park will continue to monitor the situation and reopen additional areas as cleanup efforts progress.

The takeaway

The reopening of the Kīlauea summit is a positive step for the local tourism industry and visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, but the park will remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of all visitors as cleanup and restoration efforts continue.