Hawaii's World-Renowned Tourist Attraction Collapses After Rough Storms Hit The Island

Hawaii's natural splendor draws millions to the island state. However, visitors be warned: Nothing lasts forever, not even some of the most beautiful sights in nature. In a news release, the National Park Service recently revealed that the Big Island's Hōlei Sea Arch, which overlooked the Pacific Ocean, is no more. Per the National Park Service, this beloved site collapsed in the last days of September, leaving the cliff without its awe-inspiring landmark.

The National Park Service notes on its website that this was inevitable. Still, Hōlei Sea Arch's demise comes following Hurricanes Lala and Nolo, transpiring in Hawaii in August and September respectively. Hurricane Lala was destructive and deadly, leading to flooding and damaged roads on the Big Island. Additionally, Nolo brought heavy rain and nearly 90 mph winds. In fact, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park was closed due to this extreme weather event at the time the Hōlei Sea Arch is said to have collapsed. 

The Hōlei Sea Arch was located in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park — one of the most unusual parks in the world. And while there's still plenty to enjoy here, this particularly unique sight will be missed. On Instagram, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park paid tribute to the Hōlei Sea Arch, writing that its end is "marking the latest transformation of the park's remote and rugged coastline," with the post receiving 20,000 reactions at the time of writing.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a destination where visitors can watch Kīlauea volcano erupt and traverse the lush Chain of Craters Road – one of the most scenic drives in all the national parks. Yet the Hōlei Sea Arch, which stood at 90 feet tall and was the final stop on the drive, was a popular attraction. Travelers from all over the world have praise for this lava formation on Tripadvisor. The website ranks it as one of the top things to do at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with many writing that the view was worth the trek. Plus, the site has more than 1,000 reviews on Google with 4.7 stars.

That said, the Hōlei Sea Arch's collapse has sparked sorrow among social media users. On Reddit, one person stated, "Losing a sea arch always has a special way of reminding me that the planet isn't fixed in time and what we know of its geography is all temporary." Meanwhile, Instagram users expressed their disbelief, with some writing that they had seen it days before its demise. "Thanks for the good views while it lasted Hōlei Sea Arch. You were a beaut[y]," reads one comment.

Note that Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the National Park Service cautions against getting close to the edge of the now empty cliff. Although visitors can no longer experience the Holei Sea Arch, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park still has a one-of-a-kind camping experience in a wild Eucalyptus Forest. And The Big Island has other natural wonders to discover, including in Kalaoa, a hidden gem with pristine beaches and volcanoes.