Hōlei Sea Arch in Hawaii Falls Into Ocean After Storm Damage

WHO:

ABC News - The National Park Service (NPS) issued warnings regarding the collapse.

WHAT:

ABC News - The Holei Sea Arch, approximately 90 feet (27.4 meters) high, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean.

CBS News - The Holei Sea Arch was located in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

NBC News - The Google Maps entry for the Hōlei Sea Arch now indicates it is “Permanently closed.”

BBC - The Hōlei Sea Arch was about 550 years old before its collapse.

WHERE:

ABC News - The collapse occurred on the wave-swept coast of Hawaii's Big Island, specifically in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

WHEN:

ABC News - The collapse occurred sometime between September 23 and September 27.

WHY:

ABC News - The collapse was possibly related to damage from Tropical Storm Nolo, which led to the temporary closure of the park.

HOW:

ABC News - The NPS warned visitors to stay away from the site due to instability and serious falling hazards.

(UPDATED October 3, 2026 16:24 UTC)

The National Park Service has issued warnings following the collapse of the Hōlei Sea Arch, which was approximately 90 feet high and located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. This iconic structure, around 550 years old, fell into the Pacific Ocean sometime between September 23 and September 27, likely due to damage from Tropical Storm Nolo, which had previously caused the park to temporarily close. Visitors are being advised to avoid the area due to instability and serious falling hazards.