♥️ 💚 ⭐️ Holidays in Kahuku - a free family event put on by our non-profit partners friendsofhawaiivnp - is this Saturday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the beautiful Kahuku unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park! 🎄 Here's what's in store: 🧑‍🎄SANTA! (He's bringing presents for keiki and we heard that his sleigh slaaaays this year!) 🎉 Free shave ice minis 🎨 Free face painting for keiki 👜 Shop for local, handmade crafts 🤤 Food vendors include 4 Scoops of Aloha, the Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū and more 🎶 💃 🕺🏼 Performances by the Kīpapa Sisters, the Hot Potaytahs, The Jazz Gardeners and more 🎙 And this just in: DJ Makana Kamahele is coming from Oʻahu to emcee! 🎁 Bring the family and kick off the holiday season in Kahuku! When: Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Kahuku: Located off Highway 11 at the 70.5 mile marker NPS Photo/B.Hayes of the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station and festival grounds

❄️🌋Check out this snapshot capturing the rain-soaked charm of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa! Kīlauea is veiled in steam as the rain seeps down the porous rock to meet the heat below. Meanwhile, Mauna Loa's summit is rocking a light snow blanket, giving a touch of winter charm. Planning a visit? Don't forget your rain gear! Did you know there are webcams on the park website, courtesy of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory? Explore real-time views and plan your visit accordingly! #RainyDayViews Photograph courtesy of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory webcams

Nēnē have nested at Uēkahuna near the former Jaggar Museum. The park closed portions of the Uēkahuna parking lot delineated by signs, traffic cones and barriers to protect them. A part of Crater Rim Trail from the Uēkahuna parking lot to the triangulation station is also closed. Restrooms and the west-side viewing area remain open. Nēnē breeding season started in October. The female incubates eggs for a month, and goslings follow parents to foraging grounds. At 14 weeks, they can fly. Drive carefully, especially in areas with nēnē signs. Please don't feed them, as it's unhealthy and can lead to dangerous habits around humans and cars. Let's give them the best chance for raising their goslings. NPS Photo

Hold on to your rain hats, folks! The National Weather Service just gave us the heads up: a flash flood watch is in effect from now until Thursday afternoon. Radar suggests storms capable of producing heavy rainfall and, possibly, thunderstorms. While the park remains open, it's imperative to exercise caution if you choose to recreate. Ensure you are equipped with proper rain gear and approach driving with heightened vigilance—slow and safe. Remember these tips: 🌊 Stay clear of streams, ditches, and flood-prone areas. 🚗 Watch out for slippery roads – ponding, reduced visibility, and tricky brakes ahead! ⚠️ Don't brave fast-flowing water on foot or in your vehicle. #ParkWeatherUpdate #StaySafe NPS Photo/J.Wei

November 28 is Lā Kūʻokoʻa, a holiday celebrating the independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This day holds deep historical significance, marking the formal recognition of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi's sovereignty in 1843. Through the Anglo-Franco Proclamation, England and France acknowledged the autonomy of Hawai'i, and emissaries Timoteo Haʻalilio, William Richards, and George Simpson played a pivotal role in securing recognition from the United States. Today, with the resurgence and strengthening of Hawaiian cultural practices and identity, Lā Kūʻokoʻa is once again remembered and celebrated. On April 1, 2023, Governor of Hawaiʻi, Josh Green signed into Law, Senate Bill 731 which designates November 28 to celebrate the historical recognition of independence of the Hawaiian Kingdom. Let us remember the history, resilience, and culture that define where we are today. NPS Photo/Rangers sing Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī, the regional anthem of Hawai'i.

A year ago TONIGHT Mauna Loa erupted for the first time in 38 years! On November 27, 2022 around 11:30 p.m. HST, the volcano erupted in the summit, Mokuʻāweoweo, filling the caldera before flowing over sections of Mauna Loa Trail and towards the northeast out of the national park boundary. Social media was a sea of red as photos and videos shared by residents and visitors went viral. This image, "Tempest Storm" by Pablo McLoud (former Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entrance station ranger), won an award from the Volcano Art Center and is shared here with his permission. Learn more about this amazing, short-lived eruption through videos, photos and a storymap on the park website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/ml2022.htm Photo of erupting Mauna Loa volcano by Pablo McLoud #MaunaLoa22

Behold - SEA CAVES! Located at the end of Chain of Craters Road, these formations unveil a captivating narrative of transformation shaped by the relentless forces of wind and water. Imagine this: Once molten lava cools and solidifies, it undergoes a gradual metamorphosis. Along the southeast shore of Hawai'i, known for its turbulent nature, the unyielding surf interacts with the cliffs, initiating a slow erosion process. This natural sculpting action gradually carves away the rock, giving rise to intricate sea caves. 🚨 Safety reminder: Avoid approaching cliff edges during your visit. The surf can be powerful, and the edges continually erode. Prioritize safety and admire these natural wonders from designated viewpoints. NPS Photo/M.Newman

Ready to burn off that Thanksgiving meal in a meaningful way? Join us tomorrow, Saturday, November 25, 2023.🌋 We're volunteering to remove invasive, non-native plant species that hinder the growth of native plants in this World Heritage Site. It's a fantastic way to give back to nature and stay active! 🕣 Time: 8:45 AM 📍 Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center 👟 What to Wear: Sturdy hiking shoes, long pants 🧢 What to Bring: Hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, water 🧤 Gloves and tools provided Meet our awesome project leaders, Paul and Jane Field, at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Let's make a positive impact together! #Volunteer #NatureConservation #HawaiiVolcanoesNationalPark #CommunityService NPS Photo

Hala no ia lā o ka pōloli. A hungry day passes. This ʻōlelo noʻeau (saying) expresses gratitude that there is food for another day. From our ʻohana to you and yours, Happy Thanksgiving! Your park is open. Remember to #LeaveNoTrace when you visit your park or on your plate. NPS Photo of a volcanic crater seen from a distance on a forested trail

🎉Great news! Park rangers have reopened Chain of Craters Road and nearby sites as unrest and seismicity return to normal levels in Kīlauea volcano’s upper East Rift Zone (ERZ). 🏕️ Areas accessed by Chain of Craters Road, including coastal backcountry sites, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, Keanakākoʻi, and the Devastation Trail and parking area, are now open. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and park staff closely monitored a flurry of earthquakes that shook the ERZ near Puhimau Crater in the park on Tuesday, November 21. The activity, which decreased through the night, prompted park closures that were lifted Wednesday morning. 🌋 According to USGS, the “brief seismic crisis” in the upper ERZ has subsided, greatly reducing any chance of eruptive activity in that area. There is currently no sign of an imminent eruption in this area, according to USGS. Seismic activity has returned to the pattern held since mid-October with the unrest focused in an area south/southwest of the caldera to the Koaʻe fault zone. As a precaution, two trails to the south/southwest of the caldera closed since October remain closed. Park visitors should go to the park website for updates and alerts that could impact their visit: https://www.nps.gov/havo NPS Photo showing a park ranger swinging a gate open on Chain of Craters Road

Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is not erupting but is showing more signs of increased unrest as earthquakes spike in the upper East Rift Zone near Puhimau Crater. As a precaution, the park has closed Chain of Craters Road at the intersection near Devastation parking lot and nearby areas. Kīlauea summit remains open between Uēkahuna and Puʻupuaʻi, including Nāhuku lava tube, but Devastation Trail and parking area and the Keanakākoʻi Crater side of Kīlauea caldera are temporarily closed. The U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory is closely monitoring the seismic increase and change in activity on Kīlauea volcano. According to USGS, “unrest may continue to wax and wane with changes to the input of magma into the area and eruptive activity could occur in the near future with little or no warning.” USGS summarized the activity in an alert Tuesday morning, and reports that no unusual activity has been noted along the middle and lower sections of the East Rift Zone. “Decisions to temporarily close areas of the park are never easy but are made as a precaution. Kīlauea volcano is very restless right now, and safety is our utmost priority. When USGS notifies us of significant changes, we will re-evaluate area closures,” said Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Rhonda Loh. USGS satellite seismicity graphic showing dots on a map that indicate today's spike in the number of earthquakes

UPDATE 11/20/23 at 3 p.m. All pau. Sulphur Banks Trail bridge has reopened. Mahalo Maintenance! <><><><><><><><><> Temporary closure alert: The wooden bridge on Sulphur Banks Trail is closed for repairs today. The closure begins on the paved trail just past the hula platform. The rest of Sulphur Banks Trail is open and accessible from Crater Rim Trail & Kūkamāhuākea (Steam Vents). NPS Photo showing how wooden boards on a bridge are rotted and no longer connected to the supporting structure