The Holei Sea Arch, a prominent natural feature located along the rugged coastline of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean, park officials confirmed. The arch, which stood approximately 90 feet tall, gave way sometime between September 23 and September 27. The collapse may have coincided with the park’s temporary closure during Tropical Storm Nolo.

The National Park Service (NPS) described the event as part of the continuing natural evolution of the park’s coastal landscape. Officials noted that while the loss of the arch is significant, it was not unexpected due to the ongoing erosion and weathering processes typical of the area’s exposed volcanic shoreline.

The sea arch’s destruction prompted warnings from the NPS for visitors to avoid the site. Authorities expressed concern about public safety after observing images on social media showing individuals entering the closed-off area where the arch once stood. The NPS emphasized that such behavior poses serious risks, including potential falls and drowning, and can place first responders in danger during rescue efforts.

The Holei Sea Arch had long been a popular attraction for visitors drawn to the park’s dramatic ocean vistas and geological formations. Its collapse marks another notable change along the Big Island’s dynamic volcanic coastline, which is continuously shaped by natural forces such as volcanic activity, wave action, and storms.

Park officials continue to monitor the area and advise that all visitors adhere to posted closures and safety guidelines to prevent accidents in this fragile environment.