Updated at 6:24 p.m., Saturday, May 5, 2007
Big Island park to close during coqui eradication
Advertiser Staff
MANUKA, Hawai'i — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close Manuka State Park and a portion of the Manuka Natural Area Reserve, on the Big Island's southwest side, starting May 14 through May 18, while DLNR crews carry out another round of aerial treatments for coqui frogs.As a precaution, DLNR is closing these two areas to the public during the coqui frog control operations.
No camping permits will be issued for the week and over the weekend following the treatment to keep public exposure to the treatment area to a minimum.
DLNR will close the loop trail area of Manuka Natural Area Reserve and adjacent Manuka State Park to allow the use of the parking lot as a staging area and avoid possible risk to the public.
The helicopter will operate Tuesday-Thursday.
The park will reopen to the public on May 21, and camping reservations may be made for after that date.
Crews will continue to treat the outer limits of the population in hopes to prevent spread of the frogs further mauka and to the south toward Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Active control of invasive species is a DLNR priority. Since 2005, DLNR has conducted seven treatments at Manuka, which has proven to be effective in significantly reducing the coqui population. DLNR believes it is possible, and necessary, to continue controls of isolated populations of coqui in remote natural areas where the native ecosystem is threatened.
Treatments are concentrated on covering the entire area, in the hope that continued monitoring and spot treating may successfully eradicate this isolated population.
The treatment strategy for Manuka was developed in consultation with coqui experts from around the state.
The most recent treatment was in March 2007 and covered approximately 12 acres. "We are applying again within two months because it has been found that control efforts done in short intervals has proven to more effective," said Hans Sin, DLNR's Coqui Frog Control Coordinator.
