Hōlei Sea Arch collapses at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Oct 01, 2026

A 550-year-old natural rock arch on Hawai'i's Big Island has fallen into the ocean, a loss for park visitors but no threat to anyone.

  • The 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed on Sunday at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
  • It sat at the end of Chain of Craters Road and was one of the park's best-known photo stops.
  • The arch formed 550 years ago out of volcanic rock and had been slowly worn away by waves.
  • No injuries were reported — the viewing area had already been kept at a distance because the rock was unstable.

Outlook: The lookout stays open, but the arch itself is gone for good.

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