Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes

If you’re in the park after dark, look up! The planets are in alignment. Jupiter, Mars, and Venus are easily visible with the naked eye, and if you’re lucky, Saturn too. This photo was taken Friday around 8:30 p.m. from the caldera rim looking west.

And look at that! Although Kīlauea volcano is not currently erupting, we are seeing steady glow and flames from the south vent overnight as inflation continues and magma nears the surface. Some minor glow was visible from the web cameras too.

So when will Kīlauea erupt next? USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says re-inflation indicates another episode is likely between June 24 and June 27 with June 25-26 most likely.

You can sign up for Volcano Notification Service emails through the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) here: https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/

Monitor the USGS HVO livestream cameras for eruptive activity in real time. Be aware that the eruption could pause before you get to the park – the last several eruptions have lasted between six and 12 hours.

https://www.youtube.com//streams

NPS Photo/J.Wei showing a distant glow in Kīlauea volcano’s summit, with several bright planets and stars overhead in the purplish night sky.

It's a big weekend coming up in our Kahuku Unit with hula and storytelling, plus a bonus Father’s Day hike! Here’s the scoop:

🙂Haʻi Moʻoleleo: Story Telling. Hālau Nā Leo Haʻaheo O Kona under the direction of nā kumu Bobo Palacat and Aliʻi Keanaaina, will present a wondrous tale through hula, oli and narration. It will include Pele’s journey from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi, her time in Kīlauea, and the moʻolelo of Hiʻiaka and Lohiʻau. The hālau will also honor the Hula Maʻi (procreation chants) that inspire the creation of new life and care for the land and its people.
When: Saturday, June 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Hwy 11 in Kaʻū.

🥾Ranger-guided hike: ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree, and the threat of a new fungal disease, Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less), one-hour walk.
When: Sunday, June 21 (Father’s Day), 9:30 a.m.
Where: Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. Turn into Kahuku near the 70.5-mile marker on Hwy 11 in Kaʻū.

📆Speaking of Kahuku, the comment period for the Kahuku Unit Comprehensive Site Management Plan ends on July 1. Check out the plan, tour the StoryMap and submit your comments online:

https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KahukuSitePlan

NPS Photo/M.Newman of two crimson lehua (flowers) on an ʻōhiʻa tree in Kahuku

More Photo highlights from the 2026 summer CSAV International Training Course ❤️🌋🤙🏾🤙🏾

😶‍🌫️See the volcanic fumes rolling out of Halemaʻumaʻu crater and over the bluff? That is creating “Unhealthy” (Red) and “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” (Orange) air quality over Nāmakanipaio campground, Uēkahuna and the golf course community this afternoon.

Volcanic gases are dangerous to everyone and include sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide. People with heart and respiratory conditions, pregnant women and children are especially sensitive to volcanic gas.

Stay safe! Keep an eye on air quality through the park's Air Quality Alert page:
https://www.nps.gov/havo/air-quality-alert.htm, and use your best judgment. If you are in an area affected by volcanic gas, leave the area, especially if you are sensitive. Turn your vehicle’s air conditioning to circulate as you leave the area.

Although there are no vog-related closures right now, the park may temporarily close areas that are heavily inundated by volcanic gas for your safety.

While northeasterly tradewinds typically push the gas plume away from park overlooks at Kīlauea summit, the plume can be carried over those areas when conditions change, creating poor air quality near the summit and adjacent communities.

📸USGS HVO we**am image/6.17.26 at 3:49 HST of light greyish cloud of volcanic gas drifting towards to camera, and up and over the pali (cliffs) near Uēkahuna.

Another friendly reminder that the Kahuku Unit Site Management Plan and Environmental Assessment is open for comment!

Join park staff this evening in Nāʻālehu to weigh in on the options for access, recreation and conservation that the park is planning for Upper Kahuku, Lower Kahuku and Kahuku-Pōhue. This incredible ahupuaʻa (land division) stretches from the coast to more than 12,000 feet on the remote, rugged slopes of Mauna Loa volcano.

When: Tuesday, June 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Rd.

You can review the plan and learn more online. Go to https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KahukuSitePlan to view the Plan/EA, take a visual tour through the Story Map, and submit your comments.

NPS Photo/Hikers on the forested Pali o Kaeo Trail in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

The 2026 CSAV International Course is Up and Running! Stay tuned. Even more photos are forthcoming.

(Photos by Meghann Decker)

Hoʻomaha: to rest.

Episode kanahā kūmāiwa (49) ended at 5:05 p.m. HST after 7.5 hours of fountaining. The north vent fountain dropped rapidly from 200-300 hundred feet (60-90 m) just after 5 p.m. and then began jetting tephra in bursts for the last 2-3 minutes, according to USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

📸: USGS HVO web cam image of Halemaʻumaʻu crater vents steaming and degassing but no longer erupting.