The Kilauea Visitor Center at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is closing for renovations on Feb. 17. The project could take up to two years to complete. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will remain open 24 hours a day during construction.
The Kilauea Visitor Center "is the only visitor center in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and is too small and outdated to serve the 1.5 million or so people that venture to the park each year," the national park said in a news release.
The view from Kilauea Iki Overlook at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Photo Credit: Courtesy of NPS/Michael Szoenyi
The renovation will include adding new restrooms, adding Hawaiian language exhibits, building a new pavilion and expanding visitor spaces and the store.
"While some ranger programs will continue, visitors should plan ahead, come prepared and expect limited services. The park film and programs like Art Dark in the Park and Na Leo Manu are suspended until [the visitor center] reopens," the release said. There may also be delays at overlooks and parking lots.
Once closed, the Hawaii Pacific Parks Association (HPPA) visitor center store and national park visitor services are moving temporarily 1.2 miles west to Kilauea Military Camp. "It will allow HPPA to continue offering retail services to park visitors without interruption until the new park visitor center is ready," Hawaii Pacific Parks Association said in a news release.
Earlier this year, the historic Jaggar Museum, built in 1927, was removed. It was irreparably damaged due to the 2018 eruption and summit collapse of Kilauea volcano. The museum's exhibits will be moved to the renovated Kilauea Visitor Center.
Other areas of the park are also being restored. This includes the Uekahuna overlook, where the museum was situated, which is expected to reopen in the summer of 2025.
A detailed list of construction projects and updates at the park may be found online.