National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
1 Crater Rim Drive
Hawaii National Park, HI
96718
808-985-6000
| Park History |
Established on Aug. 1, 1916, Hawai‘i Volcanoes is located on the southeastern side of the island of Hawai‘i and is the 15th park in the National Park system. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a designated International Biosphere Reserve (1980) and World Heritage Site (1987). |
| Purpose |
The purpose of the park is to protect, study and provide access to Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, two of the world’s most active volcanoes, and perpetuate endemic Hawaiian ecosystems and the traditional Hawaiian culture connected to these landscapes. |
| Resources |
Geological: Hawai‘i Volcanoes extends from sea level to 13,681 feet (4,170 meters) and encompasses the summits and rift zones of two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. Its volcanic features include calderas, pit craters, cinder cones, spatter ramparts, fumaroles, solfataras, pāhoehoe and ‘a‘ā flows, tree molds, black sand beaches, and thermal areas.
Biological: Seven ecological zones (coast, lowland, mid-elevation woodland, rain forest, upland forest, subalpine, and alpine) harbor unique native plant and animal communities. The park provides refuge for seven threatened species including the nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and 47 endangered species which include honu‘ea (hawksbill turtle), ‘ua‘u (Hawaiian petrel), and ʻahinahana (Ka‘ū silversword).
Cultural: The Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) connection to the land, both past and present, is found from the coast to the summits of both volcanoes. The rich archeological record connects today’s Hawaiians to their ocean-faring ancestors who made landfall on this island. Other layers in the park’s cultural history include decades of geological exploration, the stewardship of natural landscapes, and its ranching and military history which are shared with visitors by driving the roads, hiking the trails, visiting historic districts and buildings, and the use of archive and museum collections. |
| Statistics |
Interior Region(s): 8, 9, 10 & 12
Size: 354,461 acres; 106 miles of roads; 155 miles of marked trails; 123,100 acres of legislated wilderness; 121,015 acres of eligible wilderness; 7,850 acres potential wilderness
Staffing: 79 full-time permanent employees
Annual Visitation: 1,620,294 recreational visitors (2023)
Budget: $8,871,532 FY23
Economic Benefits to Communities The most recent NPS report shows that 1.6 million visitors in 2023 spent $155 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,590 jobs in the local area. |
| Interested Agencies & Organizations |
Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Hawai‘i Pacific Parks AssociationHawai‘i Volcanoes Lodge Company, LLC Kilauea Military Camp, a Joint Services Recreation CenterU.S. Geological Survey, Hawaiian Volcano ObservatoryU.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center U.S. Forest Service, Biological Quarantine FacilityVolcano Art Center Gallery |
| Congressional District |
Senators: Senator Brian E. Schatz (D), Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D)
Representatives: U.S. Representative Ed Case (D),U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (D) |
| Contacts |
Superintendent: Rhonda Loh, 808-985-6026; e-mail us
Public Affairs: Jessica Ferracane; 808-985-6018, e-mail us |
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