A tour company has announced it is closing because of the ongoing eruption of Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island.
The Hilo-based business, Jack’s Hawaii Inc, is closing down at the end of the month due to the decrease in visitors as tourists are put off from visiting the island.
Jack’s Tours announced on its website its last day of operation would be Tuesday, July 31.
The company said: “We regret to announced that we will be closing down our business and operations.
“Our last day of providing services will be July 31, 2018.
“The downturn in tourism due to the volcano activity on Hawaii Island has affected our business significantly and unfortunately we are unable to continue operations due to the significant decrease in business levels with no foreseeable improvement in the near future.
“We are very grateful for your business and support, and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.”
The company has been in operation for more than 50 years and provides half-day volcano tours from Hilo Pier, along with narrated tours in English and Japanese.
Jack’s Hawaii Inc also offered custom tours and group tours for schools on its new fleet of vehicles.
Ross Birch, executive director of the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau told the Honolulu Star Advertiser: “Any time that a tourism or visitor-related entity goes out of business or finds hardship, it’s hard for us to hear.
“Most of the tour companies have had the opportunity to diversify a little more or have changed their tour offerings in order to keep going.”
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been closed since May 11 due to frequent and damaging earthquakes.
Some of the companies rely on the park as a major attraction so the closure would hit business.
Thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate since Kilauea began erupting on May 3.
At least 712 homes have been destroyed since lava began flowing from fissures opening up on the East Rift Zone.
A lava bomb hit a tourist boat earlier in July, injuring nearly two dozen people.