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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 2:57 a.m., Sunday, May 13, 2007

Trails Day celebration to feature hike on Maui

Advertiser Staff

KAHULUI – National Trails Day has become an annual event on Maui and across the nation. Na Ala Hele, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife's trails and access program, is once again sponsoring a hike to celebrate this important date and to say thank you to the many volunteers who have helped construct and maintain the trails within the state's Na Ala Hele (NAH) trails system.

On June 2, 2007, Na Ala Hele will partner with Maui Land and Pineapple Co., Inc. to celebrate National Trails Day by offering a guided hike in the Mauna Lei (Fleming's) Arboretum. Registration is required and limited to the first 60 participants.

This moderate hike will be approximately five miles long at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 1,200 feet. Participants need to wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch, water, a hat, sun screen and a jacket.

National Trails Day was created to promote public awareness of and appreciation for America's trails and the people who build and maintain them, to promote health benefits of trails, encourage partnerships between land managers, and encourage cooperative efforts among various trail users.

"Active involvement by volunteers and support by outdoor-minded businesses are vital to managing agencies' abilities to sustain a trails system for the public. We want people to be able to enjoy our forest and wilderness areas for the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits that nature can offer,' said Allan Smith, DLNR interim director.

To register to attend the June 2, 2007 event, contact Torrie Nohara at (808) 873-3508.

Information about the state's island-wide hiking trail network and important safe hiking tips can be found online at www.hawaiitrails.org