Hawaii’s tourism officials are urging visitors to show respect and mindfulness as they flock to a national park on the Big Island to witness the recent eruption of Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Following a three-month pause, Kilauea, the second-largest volcano in Hawaii, resumed its eruption on Wednesday.

However, the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory has lowered the volcano’s alert level from warning to watch, the Associated Press has reported.

This is due to a decline in the rate of lava input and no immediate threat to infrastructure. The eruption activity is currently limited to the closed area within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

In a statement released on Wednesday night, the Hawaii Tourism Authority emphasized the cultural and spiritual significance of a volcanic eruption and the crater area for many kamaʻāina, a term often used to refer to Hawaii residents.

They urged visitors to be mindful and considerate when planning their visit to the volcano, out of respect for the local community and the natural environment.

By promoting an attitude of respect and mindfulness, Hawaii hopes to ensure that visitors can appreciate the awe-inspiring natural phenomenon while preserving the cultural and ecological integrity of the area.

Written by staff