HILO — Akaka Falls State Park is again fully open after $297,400 of damage was done to trails in February during invasive albizia tree trimming.
Repairs to the Kahuna Falls overlook trail took several months, allowing only the shorter jaunt to and from Akaka Falls to remain open. But the more-strenuous full-circle route now is available once again.
Albizia trees in the park had reached 150-180 feet, despite being only 12-15 years old. An estimated 190,000 people visited Akaka Falls in 2007, when the latest count was taken.
“Site Engineering completed the repairs to the Akaka Falls walkway as of Oct. 30 and Division of State Parks opened the entire trail as of Oct. 31,” the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a press release after a Tribune-Herald inquiry.
Repairs were expected to take until December but were completed early.