HILO, Hawaii — The Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation will reopen Kaumana Caves to the public on Jan. 16 after it closed due to a partial collapse of the structure in September of last year.
"We are excited to welcome visitors back to Kaumana Caves and share this remarkable natural wonder with the world once again," said Mayor Mitch Roth in a news release. "The safety of all in our community, including our cave explorers, is our top priority, and after assessing the site with local experts, we are confident it is safe to reopen the caves for visitors to enjoy.
“Mahalo to the teams from the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the University of Hawaii at Hilo, who collaborated with our parks department to make this reopening possible,” Roth said.
New signage will remind visitors of the risks associated with entering the cave and provide information on how to safely explore them.
The Department of Parks and Recreation encourages cave visitors to adhere to the following guidelines:
- Bring a flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries.
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with a good grip and ankle support since cave floors can be uneven and slippery.
- Bring gloves for extra protection while navigating the caves.
- Wear a hard hat with a chin strap since there are many areas with low ceilings and a potential for falling debris.
- Wear long-sleeved shirt and long pants to help protect against scratches and insect bites.
Contact the Parks and Recreation Administration Office at 808-961-8311 for additional information.
