Hawaii's Holei Sea Arch Collapses After Centuries of Erosion

The 90-foot Holei Sea Arch on the Big Island’s coastline collapsed into the Pacific Ocean sometime between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27, according to the National Park Service. The park said the collapse may have occurred while the area was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo, which brought winds of up to 155 mph and heavy rain to the island.

"The exact time of the collapse is unknown and could have occurred when the park was temporarily closed during Tropical Storm Nolo," the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park posted on social media.

The arch, formed roughly 550 years ago, was a well-known tourist attraction. Park officials warned that the site remains unstable and poses a serious falling hazard, urging visitors to stay away.

"Photos on social media show people entering the closed area near where the sea arch once stood, putting themselves and first responders at great risk of falling and drowning," the NPS said.

The collapse follows a recent series of storms that have battered Hawaii, including Tropical Storm Lala in August, which damaged homes and caused power outages. Governor Josh Green noted that a federal emergency declaration approved by the Trump administration will provide resources for recovery from Nolo.