HONOLULU – A huge swell over the weekend struck the southern shores of Hawaii Island, interrupting a wedding, damaging condos and also breaking off a “significant portion” of the famous 90-foot-tall Holei Sea Arch at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The loss was captured in consecutive photos by photographer Janice Wei, who was documenting the massive waves at the park on Sunday and saw a big crack on the arch’s leg, according to Ben Hayes, Interpretation and Education Manager at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
The next day, she noticed a large chunk had fallen away on the lower inside of the arch’s leg.
Hayes told USA TODAY the lost chunk is estimated to be “at least a half ton” of rock. That’s about the weight of an adult male polar bear.
As for what this means for the arch: “It could be here for another two centuries or two days.”
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The Holei Sea Arch is made from lava flow from 550 years ago. When the lava hit water, it cooled and turned into rock, which added to the size of Hawaii Island. Over the many years since then, differential erosion — when layers of lava erode from the sea and winds at irregular rates — formed the arch.
The natural process of erosion won’t stop either. “That is something that is very much part of a visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, that the landscape is constantly being created and changed,” Hayes said.
The National Park Service has observed cracks around the arch for some time now and closed it off.
For now, it’s easy to view the arch while it is still intact. The natural wonder sits at the end of Chain of Craters road – it is the most accessible out of the dozens of arches along the dramatic southern coastline.
During the day, people can take the popular Puna Coast Trail (no permit required) to see the arch, along with the Pu’u Loa Petrogylph Field featuring rock carvings. For a wilder arch-viewing experience, you can get a permit to overnight at the backcountry campsite Halape, reachable by a few trails. Come prepared with plenty of water and keep in mind that there’s minimal shade.
People should be careful of the cracks and instability along the sea cliffs and the large waves in this area.
“This is a living lava landscape,” said Hayes. “Not only does it provide opportunity to see amazing wonders but demands our respect. Everyone needs to be prepared and respectful of the power of this place.”
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