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NPS Photo/Janice Wei

Federal Shutdown: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park To Remain Open
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by Big Island Video News
on Dec 21, 2018 at 7:51 pm

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STORY SUMMARY

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - The park will remain largely accessible to visitors during the latest government shutdown, a Friday evening media release stated.

(BIVN) – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will “remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures” during the partial shutdown of the federal government, park officials announced Friday evening.

Some park roads, trails, and viewpoints in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. There will be no National Park Service-provided visitor services in the park including public information, officials say.

During the previous shutdown that occurred in January 2018, the park closed its gates, reasoning that “hazards associated with the active volcano pose a significant risk to the safety of visitors in the absence of National Park Service staff.” This time around, there is no active eruption at Kīlauea Volcano.

The following areas will remain open:

  • Kīlauea Visitor Center (KVC), picnic tables and restrooms. Exhibits will be open, however the auditorium will be closed and films will not be shown.
  • The Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store in KVC will be open.
  • Crater Rim Drive from park entrance to Kilauea Military Camp
  • Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp
  • Volcano House lodging, gift stores and restaurants
  • Kilauea Military Camp & Theatre
  • Volcano Art Center Gallery
  • Steam Vents and Sulphur Banks
  • Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (vehicles not permitted past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu)
  • Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout – pedestrians and bicyclists only
  • Kīpukapuaulu day use picnic area (no trash or custodial services or – pack it in, pack it out only)
  • Kīpukapuaulu and trail
  • Ka‘ū Desert Trail to the Footprints shelter and exhibit

The rest of the park will be closed, including Chain of Craters Road, Escape Road, all campgrounds, all backcountry areas, and Kahuku, the National Park Service says. Entrance fees will not be charged.

“Because of the federal government shutdown, NPS social media and websites will not be monitored or updated and may not reflect current conditions,” the Friday media release stated. “All NPS events have been canceled, including ranger-guided hikes, and volunteer stewardship programs.”


Filed Under: Kau Tagged With: federal shutdown, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

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