In Hawaii, the Holei sea arch has collapsed, a natural landmark that for more than five centuries adorned the coastline of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The rock, nearly 28 meters high, was a popular stop for tourists traveling along the Chain of Craters Road.
According to the U.S. National Park Service, the arch was still intact on September 23, but by the evening of September 27 nothing remained of it. The exact time of the collapse has not been established; the agency believes it may have happened while the park was temporarily closed due to a storm. The Holei arch formed about 550 years ago as a result of the constant action of ocean waves on volcanic rock. Although erosion-driven collapse was predictable, the disappearance of such a well-known feature has caused regret among many.
On social media, some users shared memories associated with the arch. One commenter wrote that he was saddened to learn of its disappearance, since it appears in many of his tourist photographs from the 1990s. He added that the natural world, of course, is always in motion.
Following the collapse of the Holei arch, park authorities issued a warning to visitors. It states that approaching this stretch of coastline is dangerous: the surrounding sea cliffs are unstable, and there is a risk of rockfalls and landslides.
The National Park Service is particularly concerned about photographs circulating online showing people entering the closed area near the site where the arch once stood. The agency stresses that such actions not only endanger the offenders themselves but also create unwarranted risk for rescuers, who in the event of an incident would have to work amid heavy surf and difficult terrain.
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