Additional Coverage:
A notable change has occurred along one of Hawaii’s most rugged shorelines with the collapse of the iconic Hōlei Sea Arch into the Pacific Ocean.
Located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, the 90-foot-tall natural lava rock formation was reported gone as of October 1 by the National Park Service. Officials confirmed that the arch was still intact on September 23 but had collapsed sometime by the night of September 27.
The exact timing of the collapse remains uncertain. The park service noted it may have happened while the park was closed due to Tropical Storm Nolo.
Hōlei Sea Arch extended from steep sea cliffs into the ocean and was formed roughly 550 years ago through the process of differential erosion-waves gradually wearing away softer layers of volcanic rock. While its disappearance is striking, it was anticipated as part of the natural erosion cycle that created it.
The surrounding coastline had shown signs of instability over recent years. Earthquakes linked to the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and summit collapse caused damage to cliffs near the arch, prompting the closure of the original viewing area in early 2020 and the opening of a safer overlook farther from the edge. Additionally, Tropical Storm Darby’s powerful surf later that year broke away part of the arch’s lower section.
Though the collapse coincided with Tropical Storm Nolo, park officials have not attributed the event directly to the storm. They are now cautioning visitors to stay clear of the unstable cliff edges near where the arch once stood, emphasizing safety concerns as some social media posts showed people entering restricted zones.
Photographs capturing the dramatic before-and-after reveal a transformed coastline where the arch once reached into the sea, replaced now by jagged cliff remnants. This change reflects the ongoing natural evolution of Hawaii’s volcanic shoreline, where sea arches form and eventually fall as waves continue to erode the rock.
Visitors seeking to view the site are urged to heed warnings about unstable terrain and remain at a safe distance, as cliff collapses can occur without warning. The cycle of coastal change will continue, potentially giving rise to new sea arches as the landscape shifts over time.