Lava tube, other HVNP areas to temporarily close

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald file photo Ricardo Flores, left, and Sarah Zotea take a photo of Nahuku, or Thurston Lava Tube, before entering on April 12 at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in Volcano.
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Thurston Lava Tube and other locations within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will be closed temporarily during the next few weeks.

Because of ongoing pavement preservation work in the National Park, certain areas of the park will be closed in stages, although most will only be closed for a day at a time.

The closures include:

• Kilauea Overlook, which will be closed to all from 6 a.m. today until 6 a.m. Friday.

• Hilina Pali Road and Kulanaokuaiki Campground, which will be closed to all from noon July 6 to July 7.

• Devastation Trail will be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 9.

• Thurston Lava Tube trail and the surrounding restrooms and parking spaces will be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 12.

• Escape Road Trail from Highway 11 to the Lava Tube will also be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 12.

• Ha‘akulamanu (Sulfur Banks) Trail from the Kilauea Military Camp to the boardwalk will be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 13. The same trail from the boardwalk to the Kilauea Visitor Center will be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14.

• There will be temporary traffic control on Mauna Loa Road from Highway 11 to Kipukapuaulu on July 8, 9, 13 and 14.

• Crater Rim Trail from Kilauea Overlook to Kilauea Military Camp will be closed to everyone from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 15.

• Kilauea Overlook, its parking lot, and Crater Rim Trail from the overlook to Uekahuna will be closed to all from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 16.