Updated at 9:11 a.m., Monday, May 14, 2007
Coqui frog control work closes Manuka State Park
Advertiser Staff
Manuka State Park and a portion of the Manuka Natural Area Reserve on the Big Island will be closed through Sunday for coqui frog control work.The park will reopen to the public on May 21, and camping reservations may be made for after that date.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources will be using aerial treatments Tuesday through Thursday to help control the frog population. 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.
The loop trail area of Manuka Natural Area Reserve and adjacent Manuka State Park will be closed to allow the use of the parking lot as a staging area and avoid possible risk to the public.
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.
Since 2005, DLNR has conducted seven treatments at Manuka to significantly reduce the coqui population. The last treatment was in March.
