A landmark sea arch along the rugged, wave-battered coastline of Hawaii’s Big Island has collapsed, according to the National Park Service.
The Holei Sea Arch, a well-known feature in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, stood roughly 90 feet tall before disappearing sometime between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27. The collapse may have occurred while the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo.
“The exact time of the collapse is unknown and could have occurred when the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo,” said Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in a social media post.
Nolo, which generated winds of up to 155 mph, passed near Hawaii’s Big Island last week, bringing strong winds and heavy rain across the state. Gov. Josh Green said the Trump administration had approved an emergency declaration for Hawaii, unlocking federal resources and assistance for recovery efforts following the storm.
USGS via AP
The state was also struck by Tropical Storm Lala in August, which destroyed or washed away about 100 homes, caused landslides and knocked out power across wide areas as it moved past Hawaii.
Although the arch’s collapse into the Pacific Ocean was not considered unexpected, it represents “the latest transformation of the park’s remote and rugged coastline,” the NPS said in a Facebook post.
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“This formation is beautiful, but temporary, and has a limited life span,” the NPS said.
Many people responding to the park’s announcement described the collapse as a reminder that nature is taking its course.
Park officials are urging visitors to avoid the area, warning that the unstable terrain creates a serious risk of falling.
“Photos on social media show people entering the closed area near where the sea arch once stood, putting themselves and first responders at great risk of falling and drowning,” the NPS said.
The popular tourist landmark formed approximately 550 years ago. Its name, Holei, comes from a small endemic plant belonging to the milkweed family.
