Updated at 3:40 p.m., Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Three Big Island hiking trails shut for safety inspection
Advertiser Staff
HILO — The Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed three Big Island hiking trails effective immediately, pending inspection by trail crews.Muliwai trail in Hamakua district, Ainapo trail in Ka'u district, and the Pololu Valley trail in North Kohala district closed following Sunday's 6.7 earthquake on the Kona coast.
"We are closing these areas to protect members of the public until we can verify the safe condition of these wilderness trails," Peter Young, DLNR chairperson said in a news release.
No new permits will be issued for Waimanu Valley Campground during the trail closure.
The head end of the 18-mile Muliwai trail is accessed through Waipio Valley, at the end of Highway 240 near Honokaa. The Ainapo trail is located in the Kapapala Forest Reserve on the slope of Mauna Loa. And the Pololu trail is a section of the Old Government Road to Awini, and begins at the end of the paved Hawi-Niulii road in North Kohala.
For information on current trail conditions, please call the Hilo DLNR Forestry and Wildlife office at (808) 974-4221.
