02-16-2007, 04:03 PM
[font "Comic Sans MS"]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. [/font]
“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: [url "http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/chair/pio/HtmlNR/www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=HA+35+001&island=Hawaii"]www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=HA+35+001&island=Hawaii[/url].
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For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320
[signature]
“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: [url "http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/chair/pio/HtmlNR/www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=HA+35+001&island=Hawaii"]www.hawaiitrails.org/trail.asp?TrailID=HA+35+001&island=Hawaii[/url].
# # #
For more information, media may contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Public Information Specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320
[signature]