The iconic Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park collapsed into the Pacific Ocean between September 23 and 27, 2026. The 90-foot natural basalt formation, carved by centuries of differential ocean wave erosion after forming from ancient lava flows roughly 550 years ago, succumbed to instability worsened by storms and volcanic activity.
A centuries-old landmark on Hawaii’s remote southern coast has vanished into the Pacific. The National Park Service confirmed that the famous Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park fell after standing for roughly 550 years. Park officials noted that the arch was still standing on Wednesday, September 23, during a temporary park closure ahead of Tropical Storm Nolo, but was gone by the time rangers inspected the site on Monday, September 28, or by Sunday night, September 27, according to differing park statements.
Centuries of Differential Erosion and Volcanic Activity on the Big Island
Standing at a height of about 90 feet (27 meters) at the end of Chain of Craters Road on the Big Island, the arch was created when ancient lava flows met the ocean. Over the centuries, the relentless pounding of Pacific waves carved out the basalt rock through differential erosion, a geological process where softer layers of rock wear away faster than harder, more resistant formations. According to a 2014 description by the U.S. Geological Survey, the arch formed by removing rock along cracks and weaker rocks, with the agency noting, Every day the ocean crashes against the pillar of the arch, eroding it a little more. One day, it will be gone.
Geological instability had plagued the surrounding cliffs for years. Earthquakes during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse damaged the cliffs near the arch, prompting the park to close the original viewing platform in January 2020 after new cracks appeared. A safer viewing area further back from the edge opened three months later. Later that same year, heavy surf from Tropical Storm Darby broke off a chunk of rock from the lower portion of the arch, while Beat of Hawaii reporters noted that a particularly large chunk tore from the bottom of the arch’s leg during historic high surf from a south swell in July 2022.
Visitor Safety Warnings and Online Reactions Following the Collapse
Following the disappearance of the landmark, park officials urged the public to stay clear of restricted zones. Recent photos shared on social media showed visitors entering closed areas near the former site of the arch, putting themselves and first responders at great risk of falling and drowning off the rough, wave-swept coast, prompting stern safety warnings from authorities.
“Please, stay back from the unstable coastal cliff edges which drop off vertically into the ocean and present a serious falling hazard. Photos on social media show people entering the closed area near where the sea arch once stood, putting themselves and first responders at great risk of falling and drowning off the rough, wave-swept coast.”
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, via National Park Service
Park staff also acknowledged the emotional impact of the loss on social media, posting Yes, it’s true. RIP Hōlei Sea Arch
alongside before-and-after photographs that revealed a stark shift in the coastline scenery. The reaction online was swift, and on Facebook, travelers and local residents such as Kevin and Susan shared memories of scenic drives down Chain of Craters Road, where the road itself, its pullouts, parking areas, and coastal turnaround remain open to visitors.
Storm Activity and Wider Coastal Changes Across the Region
While the exact hour of the collapse remains unknown, the final failure occurred during a period of turbulent weather. Hurricane Nolo rapidly intensified on September 24, forcing Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to shutter as heavy surf and rain battered the islands. The region had already seen impacts earlier in the season from hurricanes Lala in August and Lowell in early September, which flooded homes and roads, toppled trees, and caused power outages.
Forecasters noted that the heightened tropical storm activity aligns with an active El Niño pattern. Despite the powerful forces involved, the National Park Service emphasized that individual sea arches are inherently temporary features of a constantly shifting coastline that will eventually crumble into the sea as erosion continues to move the cliffs inland.