More than 60 hikers were either cited or warned Saturday for trespassing into the closed Kohala Forest Reserve. A team of eight officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement issued citations to 48 adults and gave written warnings to 14 hikers under the age of 18.
More than 60 hikers were either cited or warned Saturday for trespassing into the closed Kohala Forest Reserve. A team of eight officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement issued citations to 48 adults and gave written warnings to 14 hikers under the age of 18.
Social media has popularized the so-called White Road hike, even though the forest reserve it passes through has been closed since a 2007 earthquake. DOCARE North Hawaii Supervisor Verl Nakama said, “People don’t realize this is a dangerous hike and if you get hurt there’s no cell service and help can be a long ways off.”
In addition to trespassing onto closed DLNR lands, hikers pass through private land, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property, and across physical features under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture.
Hunters and others with valid permits from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife can legally enter the reserve as long as they are engaged in the activity listed on their permits.
DOCARE plans additional, unannounced sweeps in the future.