(ABOVE PHOTO) Vog blankets Highway 11 inside the National Park on Saturday.

NEWS BRIEF

• Most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park opened Sunday following the southern passage of Hurricane Ana, except for Mauna Loa Road which remains closed due to downed trees, as well as the Kahuku Unit. The park closed on Friday in anticipation of the storm.

INSIGHTS

Winds also blew sulfur dioxide (SO2) north across the highway on Saturday. A web page that is jointly supported by the National Park Service and the U.S. Geological Survey recorded “unhealthy” (red) SO2 levels at Namakanipaio Campground and Jaggar Museum before noon on October 18.

PRIMARY SOURCE

Most of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park opened Sunday following Hurricane Ana, except for Mauna Loa Road which remains closed due to downed trees.

Popular park features like Thurston Lava Tube, Kīlauea Iki Overlook, and the 19-mile stretch of Chain of Craters Road are now open, including both visitor centers and Kīpukapuaulu (Bird Park). Nāmakanipaio Campground is also open.

The Kahuku Unit remains closed this weekend and will be assessed on Monday. Volcano Art Center, Volcano House, Kīlauea Military Camp, and the post office are open.

Park rangers observed no significant damage from Hurricane Ana, but heavy rainfall, thunder, and lightning impacted the park and Hawai‘i Island Friday and Saturday, causing hazardous conditions. More rain is forecast for East Hawai‘i through Sunday, and a flash flood advisory is in effect as of Sunday morning. Motorists are urged to drive with caution.National Park Service media release on Oct. 19