Department of Land and Natural Resources

NA PALI COAST STATE PARK EXPECTED TO REOPEN FRIDAY

HONOLULU — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) kept the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park and Kalalau Trail closed today due to continued effects of a weather system that dropped more than 19 inches of rain on Kauai in a 24-hour period overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. Twelve hikers were rescued at Hanakapiai stream on Wednesday morning.

Today State Parks staff assessed the trail’s condition. Although the weather system has moved on, streams continue to flow at elevated levels, creating dangerous conditions at trail crossings.

State Parks staff will be on site at approximately 7 a.m. Friday, March 29, to again assess and will likely remove the “trail closed signs.”

For park visitors hoping to hike the trail, if there are no signs at the trailhead indicating closure, it means the trail is open.

Division of State Parks reminds the public that even during the nicest day in this wilderness park, weather conditions can suddenly change and hikers must always be alert and prepared to take safety precautions, including sheltering in place and keeping to high ground. When in doubt, turn around, don’t drown!

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For more information news media may contact:

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