The Department of Land and Natural Resources will close the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park and Kalalau trail from Aug. 23 to Aug. 26 to conduct a four-day feral goat control hunt by rifle within the park. Signs will be
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will close the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park and Kalalau trail from Aug. 23 to Aug. 26 to conduct a four-day feral goat control hunt by rifle within the park.
Signs will be posted at the trail head. Persons hiking to only Hanakapi‘ai Beach or Hanakapi‘ai Falls as well as those headed to Nualolo Kai and Miloli‘i are not affected.
Signs will be posted for the area of closure, from just beyond Hanakapi‘ai Valley to, and including Kalalau Valley.
“DLNR periodically conducts control hunts for feral goats on Kaua‘i. Without controls, feral goat populations often increase to the point of causing severe overgrazing which could lead to subsequent land erosion,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR interim chairperson, according to a press release.
“We have received public complaints about goats dislodging rocks from above the trail. The hunt will help to reduce the numbers of goats in the park. We appreciate the public’s compliance and understanding during this temporary but necessary closure,” Thielen said in the release.
The park will reopen for hiking and camping by permit on Aug. 27. For permit information call the Division of State Parks office at 274-3444.
