Kaumana Caves in Hilo will reopen to the public on January 16 following a temporary closure due to a partial collapse.
The caves have been closed since September 23, 2023, when a rock fall required immediate closure.
In a press release Mayor Roth said, “We are excited to welcome visitors back to Kaumana Caves and share this remarkable natural wonder with the world once again. The safety of all in our community, including our cave explorers, is our top priority, and after assessing the site with local experts, we are confident it is safe to reopen the caves for visitors to enjoy. Mahalo to the teams from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, who collaborated with our parks department to make this reopening possible.”
Prior to reopening, the Department of Parks & Recreation plans to post new signage reminding visitors of the inherent risks associated with entering the caves and provides information about how to explore them safely.Visitors to the cave system are encouraged to utilize the following clothing and equipment:
Flashlight or headlamp
Closed-toe, sturdy shoes
Gloves
Hard hat with a chin strap
Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Administration Office at 808-961-8311.
Photo credit: Office of Mayor Mitch Roth