Collapse of Holei Sea Arch inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Some places remind us just how powerful nature can be. Hōlei Sea Arch, standing above the crashing Pacific along the coast of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, was one of those places. Now, that familiar landmark has disappeared into the ocean. By the evening of September 27, 2026, the approximately 90-foot arch had collapsed. According to the National Park Service, it was last known to be standing on September 23. The exact moment of its fall remains unknown, though it may have occurred during the park’s temporary closure for Tropical Storm Nolo. (nps.gov⁠) Located near the end of Chain of Craters Road, Hōlei Sea Arch offered a striking view of dark lava cliffs meeting blue ocean. Its story reaches back roughly 550 years—the age of the lava flow from which the arch was carved. That distinction matters: the lava came first, and the ocean gradually shaped the opening we came to recognize. (nps.gov⁠) Wave after wave worked against the rock, wearing away weaker areas and enlarging cracks. Over time, erosion carved caves and openings into the coastline. The same forces that created the arch continued to weaken it. Even a formation that looked so solid was only a temporary chapter in the island’s history. (nps.gov⁠) The surrounding cliffs had shown signs of instability for years. Earthquakes during Kīlauea’s 2018 eruption damaged the nearby coastline, and additional cracks led park officials to close the original viewing area in January 2020. Following the collapse, the National Park Service reminded visitors to respect closures and stay away from unstable cliff edges, which can fail without warning. (nps.gov⁠) For anyone who photographed Hōlei Sea Arch or paused to watch waves crash beneath it, those memories now carry a little more meaning. A view that once felt permanent has become something we can no longer revisit in quite the same way. At Aloha ʻĀina Tours, we believe exploring Hawaiʻi means appreciating the land as it is today, while respecting the forces that continue to shape it. The loss of Hōlei Sea Arch is a poignant reminder to slow down, look closely, and never take these extraordinary places for granted. Aloha, Hōlei Sea Arch. Your place on the coastline has changed, but your place in our memories remains.

What happened to Hōlei Sea Arch?

The 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park had collapsed by September 27, 2026. It was last seen standing on September 23; the exact time of its collapse is unknown.

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