Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release October 4, 2017 

SOME COMPLETE CLOSURES OF DIAMOND HEAD SUMMIT TRAIL FOR ROCKFALL MITIGATION WORK TO START THIS MONTH

 All-day Summit Trail closures to start October 20, then Mondays through Thursdays, Summit trail will be open Friday mornings, all-day Saturdays and Sundays

HONOLULU —  A continuing project to remove rockfall hazards along the slopes of the iconic Diamond Head State Monument is now focused on the crater interior, and anyone planning to hike the summit trail between late October into late November, needs to carefully review the construction schedule that now includes some all-day weekday closures. See the Division of State Parks website at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/

Prometheus Construction was contracted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to mitigate rockfall hazards on Diamond Head. This third and final phase of work began September 18, 2017 to stabilize summit trail slopes inside the crater. It involves rock scaling, placement of anchors, and constructing erosion-resistant (shotcrete) surfaces. It is expected to be completed by early December 2017. 

During this project, partial closures of the summit trail will be necessary for public safety, as workers loosen rocks on slopes above the trail. 

• On Friday, October 20, 2017, the summit trail will be closed all day to allow for helicopter lifts of the necessary materials and supplies to the work area. No hiking will be allowed on Friday, October 20, 2017.
• Starting Monday, October 23, 2017, the summit trail will be closed every weekday, Monday through Thursday. No hiking will be allowed Mondays through Thursdays of the following dates:

October 23 – 26

October 30 – November 2

November 6 – 9

November 13 – 16

• The summit trail will also be closed the following Friday afternoons at 12 p.m. (all hikers must be off the summit trail by 2 p.m.): October 27, November 3, and November 17.
• OPEN DATES:  The summit trail will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, and state holidays (November 10, Veterans’ Day).

Special Thanksgiving week hours, November 20 – 24:

• Monday, Nov 20 – Wednesday, Nov 22, the summit trail will be closed at 12 p.m. (all hikers must be off the summit trail by 2 p.m.).
• The summit trail will be open regular hours, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov 23 – Sunday, November 26.

The DLNR Division of State Parks is asking for everyone’s attention and cooperation during these closures.

It’s anticipated that the “crater park” inside the crater floor (the parking lot, restroom, and visitor center and gift shop and lunch wagon) will remain open during most of the work.

Curt Cottrell, State Parks administrator, said, “The Diamond Head Summit Trail hike is one of the must-do hiking experiences for Hawai‘i visitors and residents alike. Over one million people hike the steep, hot trail to the summit of Diamond Head for its magnificent views, making it one of the most visited State Parks. However, the soft, crumbly rock (volcanic tuff) that makes up Diamond Head, leaves this landmark susceptible to deterioration due to the natural effects of erosion, as well as the numbers of people utilizing the trail. This slope stabilization work will ensure a safe hiking experience for park visitors.”

A first phase of work on the exterior ocean side of Diamond Head crater took place in late spring, above the area where Beach Road meets Diamond Head, over a total distance of less than 200 yards. Rock scaling work was done to retain the natural appearance of the slope while reducing the hazards.

In mid-April, a second phase of work was completed to remove rockfall hazards above the Kahala Tunnel entrance, while keeping the natural appearance of the slope. Most of this work was done in the evenings, after the crater was closed. Total project cost is $1.72 million.

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Media contact:

Deborah Ward
Communications Specialist
Dept. of Land of Natural Resources
(808) 587-0320