One Thursday, May 13, 2021 Glover and Kona Trails will reopen after being closed to protect native ʻōhiʻa trees from a deadly fungus in the Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
The park constructed a new Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) decontamination station to allow entry into the previously quarantined upper Kahuku paddocks. Hikers must walk through the gate along the main road to access Kona and Glover trails, and will be required to sanitize their footwear to remove fungal spores and mud. Research by ROD scientists and park staff highlights the importance of such practices to prevent the spread of this terrible disease. The public is asked to do their part to protect native forests by checking their personal items and vehicles for invasive pests before recreating in natural areas, and by following sanitation protocols.
Both the Kona and Glover trail hikes require an early start. The Kahuku Unit is open Thursday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and entrance is always free. For more information visit https://go.nps.gov/1bicpe
The Kahuku Visitor Contact Station (VSC) will also reopen on May 13, 2021. Visitors are required to wear a mask in the VSC and other park service buildings. Masks are only required outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.