Historic Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses Into Pacific, Ending 550‑Year Legacy

Sun Oct 11 2026 12:15:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The towering lava arch on Hawaii's Big Island fell into the ocean after years of instability, marking the end of a 550‑year‑old landmark.

The 90‑foot Hōlei Sea Arch, a volcanic formation that had stood for around 550 years, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean between 23 and 27 September 2026, according to the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS warned of the arch’s instability for years and noted that earthquakes during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption and a recent tropical storm likely triggered the fall. The arch, located at the end of Chain of Craters Road on Hawaii’s Big Island, had been a popular tourist attraction before its collapse. Social media users reflected on the loss, sharing memories and emphasizing the impermanent nature of natural wonders.

Historic Hōlei Sea Arch Collapses Into Pacific, Ending 550‑Year Legacy

The 90‑foot Hōlei Sea Arch, a volcanic rock formation that had stood for roughly 550 years, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean by September 27, 2026.

The arch was still visible on 23 September but was no longer standing by 27 September, according to the National Park Service, which did not record the exact time of collapse.

“We have seen signs of instability along the coastline surrounding the sea arch for years,” the NPS said, adding that it had warned the arch would eventually crumble. The 2018 Kīlauea volcanic eruption and subsequent summit collapse had already damaged the cliffs, and a tropical storm last year had washed away a section of the arch’s base.

The sea arch sat at the end of Chain of Craters Road on the island of Hawaii, popularly known as the Big Island, and served as a favorite photo location for visitors. The NPS had closed the original viewing area in January 2020 when new cracks appeared, opening a safer alternative view a few months later.

The collapse marks “the latest transformation of the park’s remote and rugged coastline,” the NPS noted, stressing that the formation was a temporary feature that would give way to new natural changes as the cliffs migrated inland.

The loss sparked a flood of reactions on social media, with thousands of comments sharing memories, photos, and reflections on the impermanence of nature. One commenter wrote: “Nothing and no one is here forever; appreciate the good and beauty now.”

Source: BBC News