Park service: Hawaii Volcanoes on schedule for reopening

FILE: The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed on August 14, 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers. (Photo: National Park Service/Facebook)

HILO, Hawaii — Officials say Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is on track to reopen several areas later this month since closing in May because of the Kilauea volcano eruption.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports the National Park Service is planning to reopen several trails, roads and popular sites on Sept. 22, including the Kilauea Visitor Center, the Kilauea Iki Overlook, and a stretch of the Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and the Kilauea Military Camp.

Ben Hayes, the park’s director of interpretation, says most of the popular areas and travelled roads will be opened.

He says additional repairs and openings might not occur until next year. The park will prioritize repairs based on cost and popularity, leaving less visited locations on the back burner.