The Department of Land and Natural Resources said today it will close Diamond Head State Monument Feb. 18-19 to do additional rock scaling of potential rockfall hazards above the Kahala entrance tunnel to the crater.

"Rains in December loosened materials above the entrance tunnel. The follow-up scaling work is needed due to the larger than expected number of loose rocks that are hidden within the vegetation on the hillside. To ensure public safety, the tunnel, and the entire park will have to be briefly closed while this work takes place," Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson, said in a statement. The park entrance at Diamond Head Road will be closed to all vehicle and foot traffic.

DLNR closed the summit trail at Diamond Head State Monument for a month last year to conduct maintenance of the slopes and rock scaling of potential rockfall hazards along the trail. The last part of the maintenance work was carried out above the entrance tunnel.

For more information, please contact State Parks at 587-0300, or visit the State Parks Web site at www.hawaiistateparks.org.