The trail has been closed since a Feb. 1 landslide sent tons of debris crashing down near the base of the popular waterfall.

Bauer looked at the area from a helicopter this morning as a final survey and said after that inspection that the trail could reopen.

Since the landslide, state workers and volunteers have taken several steps to make viewing the falls safe for hikers.

A new viewing area about 40 feet from the falls has been built using boulders to form a wall and filling it in with gravel.

Some large trees were cut down to give a better view of the entire waterfall, and a bench was built as a resting place.

Seven warning signs have been installed around the falls saying "Danger Stop! Landslide area beyond this point," and a wire cable stretched around the viewing area blocks access to the pool.

"We want to provide access but in a safe manner," said Curt Cottrell, manager of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Na Ala Hele trails program.

"This is a compromise. We can bring you to the falls and provide a safe venue, but the falls themselves are off limits," Cottrell said.

After heavy rains in February, a section of sheer wall collapsed, dropping debris more than 600 feet near the base of the falls, where much of it remains.

Aaron Lowe, O'ahu specialist for the Na Ala Hele Trails program, said people used to sit near the pool right where the rocks fell.

Although no one was hurt in the Manoa rockslide, state officials worry that if another rockslide were to occur people could be injured, leaving the state liable for damages.

A Mother's Day 1999 rockslide at Sacred Falls State Park killed eight people.

That trail remains closed.

"Our hope is the public will honor the signs and not go beyond," Lowe said.

"From a helicopter, you can see there is still stuff hanging. This viewing area is where the state geologist has determined it is safe. If you go beyond, you are putting yourself at risk," he said.