The famous 27-meter-tall Elephant Arch in Hawaii has suddenly collapsed and vanished into the ocean. According to U.S. media reports on October 2, the Ho’lei Sea Arch located in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the southern tip of the Big Island was recently destroyed by natural forces.
The History and Collapse of Ho’lei Sea Arch
Formed approximately 550 years ago from cooled basalt lava flows carved by relentless waves, the arch resembled an elephant’s trunk and had long been a beloved landmark for tourists. While the exact time of the collapse remains unconfirmed, authorities estimate it disappeared around the night of September 27. This coincided with the period when Hurricane Lane battered the southern part of the Big Island, forcing a temporary closure of the park.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park officially confirmed the loss, stating, “Yes, it is true. Rest in peace, Ho’lei Arch.” The collapse was not entirely unexpected. Following a 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, nearby cliffs suffered structural damage from subsequent earthquakes, and tropical storms had previously chipped away at the base of the arch.
Safety Measures and Future Geological Changes
Due to the increasing instability, park officials closed the original viewing area in 2020 and constructed a new, safer vantage point further away from the cliffside. The National Park Service (NPS) noted in 2021 that while these geological formations are stunning, their lifespans are ultimately limited, predicting that sea arches will eventually fall into the sea only for new ones to take their place over time.
