The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakoa Valley effective Monday, due to unspecific reports that the trail in the Pohakuao area between the 6- and the 9-mile markers may be potentially dangerous. “We are
The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakoa Valley effective Monday, due to unspecific reports that the trail in the Pohakuao area between the 6- and the 9-mile markers may be potentially dangerous.
“We are sending our State Parks crew out today to post the closure signs at the trailhead and at the trail leaving Hanakapi‘ai Valley,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson, in a press release issued yesterday.
“A crew will be flying in Tuesday morning by helicopter to inspect the trail, verify the condition, and to take any necessary action. They will return on Thursday afternoon. The trail beyond Hanakoa will stay closed until we receive confirmation from our crew that it is safe for public use,” Young said, in the release.
DLNR’s Division of State Parks has suspended issuance of camping permits for the remote Kalalau Trail, until the trail is determined safe for use. A monthly Kalalau maintenance trip had already been planned for later this week, but it was moved up due to two complaints called in to the Kaua‘i Parks office.
The State Parks crew last conducted routine maintenance on the trail in February.
