LIHUE — The trail leading up to the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse needs maintenance in order to be safe. Help is on the way. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to re-enforce around half of the
LIHUE — The trail leading up to the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse needs maintenance in order to be safe.
Help is on the way.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has plans to re-enforce around half of the 200-foot trail and has studied the evironmental impacts of doing so. But before it can, it’s asking the public to weigh in on the proposed project.
The trail between the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge and the lighthouse has experienced erosion, undermining and settling.
Erosion work around the trail hasn’t happend in about 10 years.
Some project alternatives would require heavy equipment to work along the pedestrian pathways, blocking access to the visitor center, lighthouse and point. Since visitation would not be safe for the public, the refuge and lighthouse would be closed during that time, from about Jan. 1 through April 31.
The Draft Environmental Assessment is available for viewing and the agency is asking the public to review and provide comment until Nov. 12.
Addressing issues that are quickly escalating along the pathway to the point is critical for the future of public safety and visitation at the Refuge, the USFWS said in a press release.
During a possible closure, the Kilauea Overlook will still be accessible; staff and docents will provide information to visitors Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Info: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/kilauea_point/.
