Chain of Craters Road reopens to pedestrian, bicycles

HAWAII NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii (KHON2) — Chain of Craters Road in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has been reopened for bicycles and pedestrians, the National Park Service announced Friday.

The road remains closed to vehicles due to significant cracking and buckling between Hilina Pali Road intersection and Maunaulu parking lot.

An inspection on Friday afternoon revealed ten locations with structural damage, attributed to magma intrusion into the Upper East Rift Zone of Kilauea volcano earlier this week.

While the previously closed backcountry areas have reopened, access to trailheads is limited to foot or bicycle traffic. Kulanaokuaiki Campground has similarly reopened for pedestrian and bicycle access.

The unrest in the Upper Rift East Zone that began Monday has ended, according to the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. During this period, over 1,500 earthquakes were recorded, including 30 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher.

For any closure or hazard alerts, visit their website.