Hawaii’s 550-year-old Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the Pacific
Hōlei Sea Arch at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park collapsed between September 23 and 27, 2026, after centuries of erosion. The park warned visitors away from unstable cliff edges.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
How the effects could reach youConditional effects
Event date: The arch collapsed sometime between September 23 and September 27, 2026; the exact time is unknown. [2][3]
What happened
The roughly 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch at the southern coast of Hawaiʻi Island stood at the end of Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park before collapsing into the Pacific. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Hawaii's famed Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed into Pacific Ocean after naturally forming more than 500 years agoabc30.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 3:48 PM UTC
- Famed 90-foot sea arch in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park collapses into Pacific Oceanfirstalert4.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 8:59 PM UTC
The National Park Service said the feature was standing on September 23 but had collapsed by September 27. Its exact collapse time is unknown, and it may have occurred while the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo. [2][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Hawaii's picturesque Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the oceannbcnews.com · Article published: Oct 3, 2026, 2:50 AM UTC
- Famed 90-foot sea arch in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park collapses into Pacific Oceanfirstalert4.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 8:59 PM UTC
The arch formed about 550 years ago when ancient lava from an eruption reached the cliff edge. Differential erosion—uneven weathering of harder and softer lava layers—gradually carved the opening. [1][3]
References for this detail (2)
- Hawaii's famed Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed into Pacific Ocean after naturally forming more than 500 years agoabc30.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 3:48 PM UTC
- Famed 90-foot sea arch in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park collapses into Pacific Oceanfirstalert4.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 8:59 PM UTC
Park officials had expected waves to eventually destroy the arch but could not predict the timing. The 2018 Kīlauea eruption damaged nearby cliffs, while new cracks in 2020 led officials to move the viewing area farther from the edge. [2][1]
References for this detail (2)
- Hawaii's famed Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed into Pacific Ocean after naturally forming more than 500 years agoabc30.com · Article published: Oct 2, 2026, 3:48 PM UTC
- Hawaii's picturesque Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the oceannbcnews.com · Article published: Oct 3, 2026, 2:50 AM UTC
After the collapse, the park warned visitors not to approach the remaining cliff edges. A Google Maps listing for the landmark now states that it is permanently closed. [2]
References for this detail (1)
- Hawaii's picturesque Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the oceannbcnews.com · Article published: Oct 3, 2026, 2:50 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The arch had been a prominent visitor landmark, and the park shared before-and-after photographs showing the change in the coastline after its disappearance. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
3 source links · 3 domains
These counts describe the references, not independent confirmations. Different outlets can repeat the same original report.
Source timeline
Oldest to newest among the available source dates, not a chronology of the incident. Article publication dates come from the source; other recorded dates may reflect when a link was found.
- [1] Hawaii's famed Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed into Pacific Ocean after naturally forming more than 500 years agoabc30.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 3, detail 4
- [3] Famed 90-foot sea arch in Hawaii's Volcanoes National Park collapses into Pacific Oceanfirstalert4.comReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3
- [2] Hawaii's picturesque Hōlei Sea Arch collapses into the oceannbcnews.comReferenced for: detail 2, detail 4, detail 5
Questions answered by the reporting
Why is the area still hazardous?
The National Park Service said visitors were approaching unstable coastal cliffs that drop vertically into the ocean, creating a serious falling hazard. [2]
What this could mean for you
Access to the former landmark may remain closed or changed.
The arch has disappeared and the park has warned that nearby cliff edges are unstable and dangerous.
Reported basis: [2] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Visitors approach the former viewing area or the park modifies access around the collapsed feature.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
Choose a country to check how this event could affect you.
What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
Further cliff instability prompts broader closures around the coastal viewing area.
Pressure eases if…
Park authorities establish a clearly marked safe viewing arrangement and maintain restrictions near unstable edges.
Still unclear
The exact moment of the collapse is not known.
The sources do not establish the full extent of any damage to nearby visitor infrastructure.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (3)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
A colossal sea arch that had long been a major landmark on Hawaii’s rugged coastline has collapsed into the Pacific Ocean more than 500 years…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
The Google Maps red pin for the Hōlei Sea Arch, a rugged, 90-foot bow formed by 550-year-old lava flows and the prolonged sculpture of the…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
Available excerpt
HONOLULU (KHNL/Gray News) - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park confirmed this week that the beloved Holei Sea Arch has collapsed. According to the park, the collapse…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.