The closure of what has become the entire Kalalau Trail on Kauai has been extended until at least September 19. Prior to this, the trail remained open to Hanakapiai, but that is no longer the case.
State conservation police (DOCARE) arrived to help enforce the strict closure starting at Kee Beach. Hawaii health officials are working to contain a growing norovirus outbreak. The highly contagious virus, which causes severe gastrointestinal illness, has affected dozens of hikers, though the actual number may be higher.
DLNR officials and police officers are now enforcing a strict 24/7 closure along the trail from Kē‘ē Beach to Honopu, preventing further access. Environmental testing remains ongoing, with water, soil, and surfaces being analyzed to assess contamination factors.
The park’s comfort stations are being thoroughly disinfected to reduce further spread.
Meanwhile, the DLNR is warning commercial boaters and recreational kayakers not to drop off visitors at Kalalau Beach, as anyone found trespassing will face citations or arrests.
Norovirus outbreaks have impacted at least three popular hiking areas in the U.S., such as the Appalachian and Pacific Coast Trails. Kalalau’s remote setting makes sanitation efforts and mitigation particularly challenging, and concerns that inadequate restroom facilities may have contributed to the virus’s rapid spread. The Hawaii Department of Health and the DLNR will need to address these issues going forward.
Additionally, there have been long-standing issues with illegal squatters hidden in Kalalau Valley’s dense forest, raising further questions about the effectiveness of enforcing park regulations. Despite periodic cleaning and clearing efforts, maintaining proper hygiene in such remote wilderness remains a significant hurdle for these state officials.
Images courtesy of Hawaii DLNR.
One of the basic field hygiene precepts taught in the military is to Bury it… So many people contracting the virus indicates that there are way too many people in too small of an area. Same thing happens when there are too many deer in a small area – they get sick or worse,
Best Regards
Squatters responsible? Usually a cruise ship infestation. Curious about then mechanism of transmission
Might as well close all the trails that lead high into all peaks and mountain ranges. You know what direction this stuff flows Yep down hill.
I read birds,rats, and rodents can be carriers of this virus also. The google search reported animals can carry it from urine and feces left behind by humans. I was surprised how fast the conservation police were so quick to isolate and close the trail but visitors at restaurants a different story. One less activity for a tourist to do outside of spending money in one way or another. IMO trails are escape places for homeless and I don’t know of any human that don’t need to take a #1 or #2. If rodents and birds can obtain this virus then good luck in finding a solution.
Aloha BOH! We just arrived on Kauai for our latest and long-awaited visit, and discovered that the Go Haena shuttle reservation and entry passes we booked for Monday had been automatically canceled. Although we can see from the official announcement that Kee Beach and Haena beach remain open, it appears that non-residents will not be allowed to go there. We had only planned to visit one of the beaches for the day and had no plans to access the trail even if part of it had remained open.
So a bit of a bummer but on the other hand I can understand…I can imagine some determined (belligerent?) people trying to ride the shuttle and trying to get onto the trail regardless, and maybe they just don’t have the staff to deal with that (and/or they want to be sure there’s not a larger affected area,)
No worries, it’s beautiful, the weather is fantastic, and we have plenty to enjoy!
CeeGee
Thanks for information. Interesting. Beaches are open but not open to non residents. If this is the entrance to the trail then how does anyone know weather the matter was left by a tourist or local? Another Blame the Tourist. Listen Hawaii islands are just one big lava rock. How do you desecrate a rock? IMO Hawaii just needs to stop blaming the tourist for everything. This song and dance is getting really old. IMO If you are so resentful then please return all the federal government assistance money your state asked for.
As usual, blame the tourists on this rapidly tourist unfriendly island and its xenophobic politicians. Where are the complaints about racism when we are all privelidged white invaders?
Wow. That’s….quite a take.
Aloha Folks,
Why can’t people understand the seriousness of this situation. Whether you are kamaaina or visitor, you are Not Immune to this virus. I think BOH Folks are too nice to say specifically that if you Are infected, it’s your Urine AND Feces left in the untreated wilderness that can turn into Major Outbreaks of the virus.
Remember how concerned you were about COVID 19?
Be Nice And Clean , Bra’!