Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency

06/14/2026

Civil Defense msg: 06-14-2026 08:47 AM NWS High Surf Advisory for south facing shores of Hawaii Island remains in effect thru Monday from Keahole Pt in N Kona to Cape Kumukahi in Puna. Kahalu`u, La`aloa (Magic Sands), and Kohanaiki BPs are closed due to high surf. Other beach parks may close without notice. USGS HVO reports precursory low-level activity for Episode 49 of Hale Ma`uma`u eruption began this morning.

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06/14/2026

NWS High Surf Advisory in effect thru Monday for south facing shores of Hawaii Island. Coastal Flooding is forecast for all shores thru Tuesday. Beaches could experience over-wash, especially during high tide. Beach-goers, swimmers, surfers, and those camping on south facing shores should exercise caution, be aware of your surroundings, and heed all advice given by Ocean Safety Officials.
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06/13/2026

06/12/2026

This April marks the 100-year anniversary of Mauna Loa’s 1926 Southwest Rift Zone eruption — an event remembered for its dramatic lava flows, the loss of Ho‘ōpūloa village, and advances in eruption response.

The summit eruption began and ended on April 10, 1926, associated with strong earthquakes felt across the island. Earthquakes continued as magma moved underground into the Southwest Rift Zone, where an eruption began on April 13. By April 16, the ‘a‘ā flow drew large crowds as it crossed what would later become Highway 11. Police coordinated traffic and viewing areas, building the foundation for today’s eruption‑safety protocols.

On April 18 the lava entered and destroyed Ho‘ōpūloa village, displacing about 42 residents and destroying homes, a church, a wharf, and coastal fishing sites central to the community.

The 1926 eruption also marked the first aerial photographs ever taken of active Hawaiian lava flows — a groundbreaking step in volcanic monitoring and hazard assessment.

Today, Mauna Loa is at a normal alert level. Monitoring data show gradual refilling of the summit magma reservoir following the 2022 eruption. HVO continues to closely watch the volcano.

Learn more: https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/news/volcano-watch-remembering-1926-mauna-loa-eruption-a-century-later

📸: Map of the 1926 Mauna Loa lava flows (red), with all Mauna Loa lava flows since 1843 shown in peach. The photo on the left was taken on April 17 by the U.S. Army Air Corps,11th Photo Section, and shows that the flow advancing towards Ho‘ōpūloa village. The sketch on the bottom left is by Thomas Boles, the first superintendent of Hawaii National Park, drawn as lava was inundating Ho‘ōpūloa village.

#1926

06/12/2026

🌋Episode 49 of lava fountaining is still expected to begin between Saturday, June 13 and Monday, June 15 according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. Bright glow was seen overnight from both vents, and robust plumes of volcanic gas can be seen during the day.

See those bright yellow splotches near the vents? These intriguing deposits occur when sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are released and cool, creating bright mineral deposits.

If you plan to visit, be prepared and stay safe!

🛑Stay out of closed areas! Serious injuries have occurred in closed areas, and entering closures puts you and park staff at risk. Excellent, safe viewing opportunities are available in open areas.

🧠Stay away from cliff edges, they are unstable and undercut. If you feel the ground shaking, move further away from the caldera edge.

💯Monitor air quality: https://www.nps.gov/havo/air-quality-alert.htm. If unhealthy levels of volcanic gas (vog) are present or tephra starts falling, leave the area.

🚫Temporary closures may occur if vog or tephra (falling volcanic material) create hazardous conditions.

🥽Protect yourself from tephra: shelter indoors or in your vehicle; use eye protection, hat, long sleeves/pants, gloves. Dust masks help protect your respiratory system from tephra (not vog).

🚗Expect heavy traffic near the entrance and along Hwy 11.

🛑Slow down, follow signs, watch for detours, and listen to rangers.

🚙Park only in designated areas; don’t block roads or emergency access.

🔒Do NOT leave valuables in your car — most break-ins happen when items are left visible.

🏠First-time visitors: Start at the Welcome Center. Take Crater Rim Drive West to Kilauea Military Camp about a mile from the park entrance.

🚶🏽‍➡️Pedestrians: stay alert and use sidewalks/crosswalks.

👀Watch for nēnē on roads and in parking lots; never feed wildlife.

📲Check park alerts, viewing areas, webcams & livestreams: https://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/eruption-viewing.htm

NPS Photo/J.Wei of the growing puʻu (volcanic vents) within Haleamaʻumaʻu crater degassing and bright yellow sulfur mineral deposits near the vent margins

06/10/2026

Don’t be alarmed - Kīlauea volcano remains paused is not erupting. Episode 49 is expected to begin sometime between June 12 and 15, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

49? Already? Who remembers December 23, 2024 when this current and historic summit eruption cycle started at 2:20 a.m.? The north and south vents began erupting, the fountains reached about 475 feet high, and the eruption lasted 14 hours – only to fire up again the next day after a short pause.

So much has changed, and each eruption is different. What will 49 bring? We will find out soon. In the meantime, check the park website for eruption viewing and safety tips: www.nps.gov/havo.

NPS Photo/J.Wei of episode 1 on December 23, 2024, with bright orange lava fountains rising against the crater wall, a gray plume of volcanic gas and steam rising into the sky and Mauna Loa volcano not erupting in the background.

06/08/2026

How do you prepare for hazards that give you no advance warning?

On the next Safe Hawaiʻi...As Hawaiʻi Island faces earthquakes, v...

06/04/2026

Civil Defense msg: 06-04-2026 01:01 PM: Hawaii Police Department reports that DKI Highway that was previously reported as closed in South Hilo is now open 1 lane. Mahalo for your patience.

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