Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
Opening Newly Acquired Park Area

National Park
1916
 
Park Size
354,460 acres
 
Annual Visitors
1.6 million
 
Park Fee
$30
 
Superintendent
Rhonda Loh
 
Park Partner
Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
 
Location
Hawaii County, HI

In July 2022, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was enlarged by the addition of the 16,000-acre Kahuku-Pōhue area, featuring five miles of scenic, remote coastline. This land was privately held for many years and under threat of development. Its outstanding natural resources include an important nesting beach for the endangered hawksbill turtle and anchialine ponds - landlocked pools with a mix of fresh and saltwater - where rare Hawaiian red shrimp, called ‘ōpae’ula, live. The area is spiritually important to Native Hawaiians and culturally significant, holding the remains of ancient villages, petroglyphs, and the largest known abrader tool quarry in the state.
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At public meetings, the local community voiced strong support for opening the area for low impact hiking, camping, and fishing, as well as traditional cultural practices. The park completed compliance on a plan to construct a short hiking trail to reach the shoreline. However, as is often the case, the land was acquired by the National Park Service without a corresponding increase to the park’s annual operating budget. Funding was needed for a latrine system, without which visitor use will result in environmental damage. The Fund for People in Parks provided a grant for two composting toilets to enable the newly acquired coastland to be opened to visitors for the first time.

The latrines were installed in December 2024 and the area will open to the public for the first time in 2025.
 
Project Cost: $252,382                                                                  Project Completed: 2024
     The Fund for People in Parks: $150,620
     Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes: $90,112
     National Park Service: $11,650

The Kaʻū district is largely rural and the majority of communities underserved, with among the lowest median income in the state of Hawaiʻi and a large minority population. At public meetings, the community has voiced strong support for opening the area to low impact, backcountry  hiking and camping."
          -Dan Kitchell, Park Engineer (former), Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park