HILO – On Monday February 9,
the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will reopen the
Muliwai Trail on the island of Hawaii, following completion of
maintenance work on the 18-mile trail and the Waimanu campground after
the October 15, 2006 earthquake.
“This popular, but remote, trail was closed following the earthquake
for public safety until we could conduct on the ground inspections and
trail maintenance by our trail program staff,” said Peter Young, DLNR
chairperson. “It is now ready to be enjoyed once again by the public.”
“However, some trail sections leading to the back of Waimanu Valley
will be signed and remain closed due to persistent danger of landslides
and falling rocks from above,” he said.
Camping permits will again be issued for Waimanu Valley Campground
effective Monday February 12, 2007 at the Hilo DLNR Forestry and
Wildlife office at (808) 974-4221.
The trail head of the 18-mile Muliwai trail is accessed through
Waipi‘o Valley, located at the end of Highway 240 near Honoka‘a. The
trail zigzags up the western wall of Waipi‘o Valley on the Big Island,
climbing approximately 1,200 feet to the plateau.
It then leads across the plateau area to Waimanu, crossing 12 gulches
that are up to 500 feet deep, then descends another 1,200 feet into
Waimanu Valley.
It takes an estimated 7 hours to hike the 11 miles to and from
Waimanu Valley.
For information on Muliwai Trail, visit the Na Ala Hele web site at:
www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=HA+35+001&island=Hawaii.
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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320
