A picturesque cliff on Hawaii’s Big Island has collapsed, according to the National Park Service. The Hōlei Sea Arch, once standing at about 90 feet, fell between September 23 and September 27. Its fall likely occurred during a temporary park closure amid Tropical Storm Nolo.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park shared this information via a social media post, stating, “The exact time of the collapse is unknown and could have occurred when the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo.”
Nolo, with winds reaching up to 155 mph, impacted Hawaii’s Big Island, bringing significant rain and strong gusts. Following the storm, Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, announced that the Trump administration had approved an emergency declaration. This declaration will provide federal resources and assistance for recovery efforts.
The U.S. Geological Survey released photos comparing the Hōlei Sea Arch in 2022 and its aftermath in 2026. The arch’s downfall did not come as a shock. The National Park Service described it as “the latest transformation of the park’s remote and rugged coastline” on Facebook. They emphasized the arch was “beautiful, but temporary, and has a limited life span.” People responded by acknowledging the natural progression of events.
Park officials have advised visitors to avoid the unstable site due to the threat of falling. However, photos on social media revealed individuals entering the restricted area, endangering both themselves and rescuers.
Hōlei Sea Arch, a well-liked tourist attraction, originated around 550 years ago. Its name, Hōlei, derives from a small native plant in the milkweed family.