Kīlauea Overlook Parking Lot Closed to Protect Nesting Nēnē

Park officials closed the Kīlauea Overlook parking lot and surrounding area, including the pit toilet, effective January 8, 2026, after staff discovered a nesting nēnē and two goslings near the overlook. The action is intended to minimize vehicle strike risk and other disturbances while the state bird incubates and tends its young during the ongoing nesting season, which runs September through May.

The closure is temporary and targeted to protect the vulnerable birds during a critical stage of their life cycle. Trails, the picnic pavilion and other visitor areas at the site remain open for public use, and park staff are monitoring the nesting area. Visitors are being asked to slow down on park roads, stay at least 60 feet from wildlife, and never feed wild animals to avoid creating dangerous interactions or habituating birds to human presence.

For residents and visitors of Big Island County, the closure alters access patterns at a popular viewpoint that draws both local sightseers and tourists. Drivers planning stops at Kīlauea Overlook should expect reduced parking availability at that lot and may need to use other designated areas or alter their itineraries. Park officials emphasized that the restriction is a short-term measure intended to balance public access with conservation of a threatened native species.

The nēnē, recognized as the state bird, remains a conservation priority across the islands, and protective steps such as this closure reflect ongoing efforts to reduce human-related threats. Vehicle strikes and human disturbance are among the hazards that can reduce breeding success for ground-nesting birds, prompting managers to limit close vehicle and foot access when nests are identified near infrastructure.

Community members who use the park for recreation, education or tourism should be mindful of the reminders issued by the park and allow extra time for visits while the temporary closure is in effect. The park will lift restrictions when staff determine the nest is no longer at risk, and continued vigilance by drivers and visitors helps protect not only this nesting pair but broader restoration work for threatened native species.

The closure underscores the intersection of conservation, public use and cultural stewardship on the island, and it serves as a practical reminder that individual behavior in and around parks can directly influence wildlife outcomes.