Hawaii’s famous Hōlei Sea Arch is gone. The massive natural structure, which stood about 90 feet tall on the Big Island, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean. The National Park Service confirmed the news, noting the arch had stood for roughly 550 years.
The arch was a favorite spot for visitors to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. It formed centuries ago when ancient lava flows hit the cliff edges, carving out a beautiful vault. Over time, the constant battering of waves and weather wore away the rock, but no one expected it to vanish so suddenly.
Park officials said the arch was still standing on September 23, when the park closed due to Tropical Storm Nolo. When the park reopened on September 28, the giant arch had completely crumbled into the sea. While the loss is sad, park staff noted that nature is always shifting. The cliffs are slowly moving inland, and new formations will eventually take its place.
The park is urging tourists to stay far away from the cliff edges, as the ground remains unstable and dangerous. It is a powerful reminder of how the ocean constantly reshapes the land.
