Full Breakdown
Holei Sea Arch Collapses After Days of Tropical Storm Nolo
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Between September 23 and September 27, 2026, the 90-foot (27.4 m) Holei Sea Arch at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park fell into the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service (NPS) confirmed that the arch, a basalt lava formation created roughly 550 years ago, was still standing on September 23 but had vanished by the night of September 27. The exact moment of collapse is unknown, and officials said it may have occurred while the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo.
Background & Context
The arch was carved into the cliff of an ancient lava flow by differential erosion—variations in the hardness of lava layers that gradually wore the rock away. Located at the terminus of Chain of Craters Road on the Big Island, the formation had long been a photographed tourist landmark. Its stability had been compromised over years by seismic activity from the 2018 Kilauea eruption and summit collapse, which damaged nearby cliffs. In early 2020, new cracks prompted the NPS to close the original viewing platform and open a safer overlook farther from the edge. Later that year, massive surf from Tropical Storm Darby sheared a significant chunk from the arch’s lower section, further weakening the structure.
Data & Statistics
- Height: 90 feet (27.4 meters)
- Approximate age: 550 years
- Wind speed of Tropical Storm Nolo: 155 mph (as reported by the NPS)
- Formation type: basalt lava flow shaped by ocean waves
Official Statements & Responses
Park officials urged visitors to stay away from the unstable cliff edges, warning that the area presents a serious falling hazard. Hawaii Governor Josh Green noted that the Trump administration had approved an emergency declaration for Hawaii, providing federal resources to aid recovery from Tropical Storm Nolo. The NPS also highlighted that the coastline’s transformation is part of the park’s natural evolution.
Verbatim Quotes
- “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,” — HVNP
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree that the arch was intact on September 23 and collapsed by September 27, but they differ on the precise timing. The NPS and park officials state that the collapse could have occurred during the temporary closure for Tropical Storm Nolo, while no exact moment has been identified.
What’s Next
The NPS has opened a new, safer viewing area farther from the cliff edge and continues to monitor the coastline for further instability. No additional closures have been announced.