Alert

The first of three phases of capital improvement construction costing just over $4.2 million, that will last almost a year, is underway at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. These will affect the makai and mauka areas of the Hapuna Beach section and the park’s Waialea section. Work is being done by contractor Site Engineering, Inc.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), O‘ahu Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Moanalua Gardens Foundation (MGF), in conjunction with Community Planning & Engineering, Inc. (CPE) have begun road repairs to the Kamananui Valley Road in Moanalua Valley. Kamananui Valley Road and the popular Kulana‘ahane hiking trail will remain open during regular trail hours; however, some phases of the project will require periodic, full-valley closures.

BLNR Chair Suzanne Case issued the following statement today about protesters at Friday’s Land Board meeting calling for Board Member Sam Gon’s resignation.

‘Iao Valley State Monument will be closed beginning Monday, October 16, 2017 for an estimated two months. The Department of Land and Natural Resources will be completing the second phase of slope stabilization to the areas in the park that were damaged by a massive flood event in September 2016. Officials anticipate the park will reopen by December 16, 2017, or sooner if conditions permit.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks has begun repair work to the 0.4-mile loop trail at Akaka Falls State Park, necessitated due to accidental damage caused by earlier removal of invasive albizia trees in February this year. Site Engineering was selected as contractor and cost estimate is $297,400. Work is expected to be completed in December.

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/

The DLNR Division of State Parks will begin the first of three improvement projects planned for Kekaha Kai State Park on Monday, October 2, 2017 with full closure of the entry road to the Mahaiula section of the North Kona park for planned roadway repair improvements.

Firefighters from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) remain on the scene of an approximately 100 acre wildland fire burning on Makana puʿu between Hāʿena State Park and Limahuli Gardens on Kaua‘i’s north shore. The fire, first reported early Tuesday morning, is burning mostly along steep cliffs, making ground approaches for firefighters difficult, but 14 DOFAW firefighters are working hot spots. They’re being supported by two engines and three DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources (DOCARE) officers who are keeping people out of the area. Two helicopters, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Air One, continue making water drops this morning.

A wildland fire burning adjacent to Ha‘ena State Park on Kaua‘i’s north shore has closed the park and the popular Kalalau Trail in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will close the Kula Forest Reserve, Waipoli Access Road, Kahikinui Forest Reserve – Papa‘anui Tract, and Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area for two weeks from Monday, October 2, 2017, through Friday, October 13, 2017, to allow for scheduled road repairs, trails repairs, road safety improvements, and fuel reduction work.