MANUKA, HAWAII — The
Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close the Manuka
State Park and a portion of the Manuka Natural Area Reserve, on the
island of Hawaii’s southwest side, starting today Monday, December 11
through Sunday, December 17, 2006 while DLNR crews carry out another
round of aerial treatments for coqui frogs.
“As a precaution, we are closing these two areas to the public during
our coqui frog control operations,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson.
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 Monday December 18, 2006, and
camping reservations may be made for after that date.
Under the direction of DLNR’s new coqui coordinator, Hans Sin, 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 Ocean
View Estates. There will be monitoring for non-target species pre and
post treatment.
“We welcome Hans to our staff to oversee control operations. Active
control of invasive species is a DLNR priority. We believe it is
possible, and necessary, to continue controls of isolated populations of
coqui in remote natural areas where the native ecosystem is threatened,”
said Young
“If the entire area is treated, continuing monitoring and spot
treating may successfully eradicate this isolated population,” he said.
Young said the treatment strategy for Manuka was developed in
consultation with coqui experts from around the state.
The most recent treatment was in August of 2006 and covered
approximately 9 acres.
For more information call DLNR-Forestry at (808) 974-4221 or
DLNR-Parks at (808) 974-6219.
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For more information, contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320