Hōlei Sea Arch is gone. The National Park Service reports that the lava rock arch near the end of Chain of Craters Road, in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, collapsed into the Pacific Ocean in late September. The arch was cut into the cliff of an old lava flow, and the park described it as temporary, bound to crumble into the sea. The coastal cliffs here are unstable, drop straight into the ocean and can collapse without warning. The park requires visitors to stay out of the closed area near where the arch stood and away from cliff edges. Walking on the lava flows means deep cracks, uneven ground and razor-sharp rock, so wear sturdy shoes. The end of the road has vault toilets, but there is no food, water or fuel anywhere along Chain of Craters Road, so bring your own. Hōlei is the name of a small endemic plant in the milkweed family.
End of Chain of Craters Road; the arch has collapsed and the area near it is closed; stay back from cliff edges.