Public access to areas on Mauna Kea will be restricted for a total of six days in late June, July and August as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources conducts aerial hunting of ungulates.
Public access to areas on Mauna Kea will be restricted for a total of six days in late June, July and August as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources conducts aerial hunting of ungulates.
The hunting will occur to remove sheep and goats from palila habitat.
Animal control activities will include trapping, staff hunting, and shooting from helicopters, DLNR said.
The hunts will occur June 24-25, July 28-29 and Aug. 26-27.
Public access will be allowed on those dates by salvage permit only to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve from Waikahalulu gulch, north to Kemole, and east to Pu‘u Kole; the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve; Kaohe Game Management Area; and Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road.
An agency spokeswoman said aerial hunting is required to comply with a federal court order mandating removal of sheep and goats from palila habitat.
The bird is endemic to Hawaii. DLNR says that court order overrides a Hawaii County law banning shooting from helicopters.
The last time aerial hunting was carried out on the mountain was in February.
The spokeswoman said the flights will continue quarterly.
To receive a salvage permit, call 887-6063 from 9 a.m. June 17 until 10 a.m. the day before each day of shooting.