As tourists flock to view volcano’s latest eruption, Hawaii urges mindfulness and respect

Hawaii tourism authorities are appealing to tourists to approach the latest eruption of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, with respect and mindfulness as they visit the national park on the Big Island to witness the natural phenomenon.

After a three-month pause, Kilauea, the second-largest volcano in Hawaii, resumed its eruption on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory downgraded Kilauea’s alert level from warning to watch due to a decrease in the rate of lava input, with no immediate threat to infrastructure. The eruption is contained within the restricted area of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Acknowledging the cultural and spiritual significance of volcanic eruptions and the crater area for many kamaʻāina (Hawaii residents), the Hawaii Tourism Authority issued a statement on Wednesday evening urging visitors to exercise mindfulness when planning their visits to the volcano.

For Native Hawaiians, a volcanic eruption holds profound personal and cultural importance. Some engage in chanting or prayer to honor their ancestors, while others express the moment through hula dances. Hawaiians kindly request that individuals maintain a respectful distance.

Cyrus Johnasen, a Hawaiian spokesperson for Hawaii County, emphasized the need to immerse oneself in the experience rather than just capturing it through a camera lens. He stated, “Stop and be still and take it in. It’s something that you can’t pay for. In that moment, you are one with Hawaii.”

In light of the area’s sacredness, visitors are also urged not to remove rocks, avoid engaging in disruptive behavior, and refrain from disturbing plants. Johnasen highlighted the significance of native plant species, advising visitors to minimize their impact by leaving behind as small a footprint as possible.

News of Kilauea’s eruptive activity swiftly spread, drawing crowds to the national park. The park’s website warned of significant delays and limited parking due to the high influx of visitors.

While an exact count was unavailable, officials estimated that the eruption’s first day and night alone brought over 10,000 people to the park, more than triple the usual number on non-eruptive days, according to Jessica Ferracane, a park spokesperson.

Thousands of viewers also tuned in to the U.S. Geological Survey’s live stream, capturing mesmerizing images of the lava’s movement on Thursday morning.

Andrew Choi, visiting from Orange County, California, with his family, shared their fortunate encounter, saying, “We were on social media, and we saw that it was actually going off while we’re here, so we made the drive from the Kona side. This feels so ridiculously lucky. We’ve never seen anything like this.”

To alleviate congestion, park officials recommended visiting during less-crowded times, preferably before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

Scientists predict that the eruption will persist, remaining confined to the Halemaumau crater within the park.

According to the observatory, the lava fountains reached heights of up to 200 feet (60 meters) early on Wednesday, but later decreased to between 13 and 30 feet (4 to 9 meters) in the afternoon.

Mayor Mitch Roth praised the remarkable display, assuring that it was unfolding in a safe area purposefully designated for public viewing, saying, “People here on Hawaii Island are getting a spectacular show. And it’s happening in a safe place that was built for people to come view it.”

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• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory
• Native Hawaiian Culture