KAILUA-KONA — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Monday the grand opening of a new interpretive loop trail on the slopes of Mauna Kea, which will provide the public access to the last remaining wild palila in the
KAILUA-KONA — The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Monday the grand opening of a new interpretive loop trail on the slopes of Mauna Kea, which will provide the public access to the last remaining wild palila in the world along with other native species.
The Palila Forest Discovery Trail is a joint venture between the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Mauna Kea Restoration Project and the American Bird Conservancy. The grand opening of the mile-long trail will be held Wednesday near Puu Laau, four miles from Old Saddle Road at Kilohana Hunter Check Station at 10:30 a.m.
Four wheel drive is required for access, but free shuttles will run to the site of the grand opening every 30 minutes between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Informational specialists from participating agencies will be on site.
A highly endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, only 2,000 palila remain in the wilderness. All of them reside on Mauna Kea. The Palila Forest Discovery Trail will be equipped with informational kiosks and identification signs complete with QRC symbols — quick response codes that help trail goers access more information via smartphone.
