Guide helps hikers stay safe on trails

Advertiser Staff

To help local and visiting hikers stay safe on Hawai'i's trails, Na Ala Hele, the state trails and access program, will begin distributing a free comprehensive guide to hiking in the Islands starting tomorrow.

"Hiking Safely In Hawaii" was produced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources with money from the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and the State Department of Health's Kaho'omiki Program's Healthy Hawai'i Initiative.

Tomorrow's release coincides with National Trails Day. In all, 50,000 brochures will be distributed via the tourism authority and other venues.

According to Na Ala Hele program director Curt Cottrell, the brochure was designed for hikers with limited knowledge of Hawai'i's trails, especially tourists, who comprise 78 percent of trail users according to one trail and park survey.

In addition to basic hiking tips, the eight-panel brochure addresses topics such as group etiquette, hiking with pets, preventing contamination of native ecosystems, and what to do in an emergency.

Copies of "Hiking Safely in Hawaii" will be available at DLNR Forestry offices beginning tomorrow.