TREE TRIMMING SCHEDULED OCT. 25 AT ‘AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK Parts of trail will be closed for public safety

HILO -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks will be trimming trees at Akaka Falls State Park starting on Monday October 25, for about two weeks, depending on the weather. Sections of the trail will be briefly closed at times to ensure public safety while trees in the area are trimmed.

These improvements are part of the final phase of ongoing improvements to enhance the safety of park visitors and enhance their experience of the park's unique resources.

The park's features include lookouts at ‘Akaka Falls and Kahuna Falls, a 0.4 mile loop footpath connecting the two lookouts, and a lush landscape of tropical plants and trees.

“‘Akaka Falls State Park is one of the top Big Island destinations for residents and visitors,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “These improvements are a key component of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's ongoing efforts to upgrade our state parks statewide and to ensure safety and comfort for all residents and visitors who use the parks.”

Three phases of park improvements have already been completed at the Kahuna Falls and ‘Akaka Falls lookouts, including footpath, stairs, handrail, lookout and other related improvements on the respective trail segments to the lookouts.

‘Akaka Falls State Park is located at the end of ‘Akaka Falls Road (Hwy. 220) and is located 3.6 miles of Honomu. It features a pleasant self-guided walk through lush tropical vegetation and to scenic vista points overlooking the cascading Kahuna Falls and the free-falling ‘Akaka Falls which plunges 442 feet into a stream-eroded gorge. For more information call the park office at (808) 974-6200 or the State Parks Honolulu office at 587-0300.