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Hōlei Sea Arch has collapsed into the Pacific. The Associated Press reported on October 3, 2026, citing National Park Service information, that the arch fell sometime between September 23 and 27. Officials warned people to stay away from the unstable area because of the serious risk of falling. Do not treat the former overlook as an open attraction; check Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park alerts before visiting the area. Associated Press, October 3, 2026
There is no like-for-like replacement among the options below: they offer a coastal trail, an offshore islet, or a black-sand shoreline—not another Hōlei-style lava sea arch.
Why Hōlei Sea Arch collapsed
Before its collapse, Hōlei was described as about 90 feet (27.4 meters) high, cut into a lava flow formed about 550 years ago. Those figures describe the former formation, not what visitors can see there now. National Park Service, Hōlei Sea Arch
The National Park Service explains that waves erode caves into coastal cliffs where lava meets the sea. Continued erosion can open a cave into an arch; as the rock bridge wears away, it can collapse and leave a sea stack. The agency calls individual arches ephemeral features of a shifting coastline. That process helps explain the collapse, but it does not establish when—or whether—a new arch will form at Hōlei. National Park Service, Sea Arches
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Three different coastal alternatives
Choose based on your island, preferred scenery, and the kind of outing you want. These locations are distinct experiences rather than substitutes for the former arch.
| Place | Island and experience | Practical guidance | How it differs from Hōlei |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail / Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline | Oʻahu; ocean and coast views from a paved trail | Two-mile round trip, climbing to 500 feet, according to Hawaiʻi DLNR. | A trail and viewpoint, not a sea arch. |
| Mokoliʻi | Oʻahu’s Windward Coast; small offshore islet viewed as part of a scenic drive or stop | Go Hawaiʻi identifies it as a Windward Coast landmark; check current local access guidance before approaching the islet. | An offshore island or islet, not an arch. |
| Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach | Hawaiʻi Island; black-sand shoreline | Go Hawaiʻi places it about 30 miles south of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and notes photo and turtle-viewing interest. Check ocean hazards before going. | A beach and shoreline, not an arch or cliff viewpoint. |
Makapuʻu Point: a paved Oʻahu coastal trail
The Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail gives visitors a defined walk to ocean views rather than a formation at the water’s edge. DLNR describes the trail as a paved, two-mile round trip climbing to 500 feet. Check the state’s current park notices before setting out, as access information can change. Hawaiʻi DLNR, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Do not visit the Makapuʻu tide pools
The nearby tide pools are in a closed area, not a casual extension of the trail. DLNR warns that they are dangerous because of unpredictable wave surges and a steep, loose trail, and cites fatalities. Stay out of the closed area and follow posted signs.
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Mokoliʻi: a Windward Coast islet
Mokoliʻi is a small offshore island on Oʻahu’s Windward Coast, offering a recognizable coastal landmark rather than an opening in a cliff. Go Hawaiʻi lists it among the area’s scenic stops. Its destination information does not establish current access to the islet, so check local guidance before planning to approach it. Go Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu Windward Coast
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Punaluʻu: black-sand scenery on Hawaiʻi Island
Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach is a shoreline visit, not a sea-arch viewpoint. Go Hawaiʻi places the beach about 30 miles south of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and highlights its black sand, photography, and opportunities to view turtles. The page recommends checking ocean hazards; use current local signs and conditions rather than assuming the water is safe. Go Hawaiʻi, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check safety and access close to your visit
- Hōlei: Do not enter the unstable area or approach the former viewing point as though it is open. Confirm current Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park alerts before traveling.
- Beaches and shorelines: Check current ocean hazards and heed local signs. Go Hawaiʻi directs visitors to HIOCEANSAFETY.COM for ocean-safety information.
- Trails and parks: Check the managing agency’s live notices for access changes, and follow closures even when a route appears passable.
Go Hawaiʻi notes that visitors experience Hawaiʻi’s landscapes by scenic road, boat or ferry, helicopter, and walking tours. Those are broad ways to see the islands; check the itinerary, access conditions, and safety guidance for any specific outing. Go Hawaiʻi, Natural Wonders
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