Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

 

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate Release March 08, 2013

 

DLNR HOLDS PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING WITH CLIMBERS
TO DISCUSS ROCK CLIMBING ON PUBLIC LANDS

Mokuleia “Wall” remains closed since June 2012

HALEIWA — The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting on issues concerning rock climbing on public lands from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday March 12, 2013 at Haleiwa Elementary School.

The meeting with DLNR officials is expected to cover the current status and pros and cons of legislation regarding legal and management actions associated with rock climbing on public lands, as well as possible long-term DLNR actions and solutions if enabling legislation does not pass this session.

On June 12, 2012 DLNR officially closed a cliffside area of State land at Mokule‘ia in the area adjacent to Kaena Point State Park. The hillside has been a popular climbing area featured on websites by local and visiting rock climbers, who had dubbed it “The Wall.”

It is the same area where a 12-year old girl was critically injured when a rock fell and hit her head the day before while participating in a group activity.

Closure of this state land area was done for the safety and welfare of the public under authority of Hawai‘i Revised Statutes Chapter 171-6 and Hawai‘i Administrative Rules Section 13-221-4.

Warning signs were posted at various access points in the area, advising the public of exposure to potential dangers and the closure. DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers were also stationed in the area to advise the public of the closure.

Although rock climbing is not prohibited by State law, this area was not sanctioned nor managed by DLNR for rock climbing, which may be considered an inherently hazardous activity. This area has remained closed to the present while DLNR officials considered their options.

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For more information news media may contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320