New Trail Opens in Mauna Kea’s Palila Forest

Palila. FWS photo.

The new Palila Forest Discovery Trail is a cooperative project of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project and the American Bird Conservancy.

The mile-long trail includes informational kiosks and identification signs with QRC symbols (quick response codes), which allow visitors to learn more on their smartphones.

A grand opening of the Palila Forest Discovery Trail will be held on Wednesday, July 27, at 10:30 a.m.

Only 2,000 palila, a highly endangered Hawaiian honeycreeper, remain in the wild; all on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The new interpretative loop trail will give people a chance to see palila and other native species up close in their distinctive ecosystem.

Participating in the grand opening will be Jackson Bauer, Hawaiʻi Island Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access specialist, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Chauncey Kala Asing, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project coordinator; and Dr. Chris Farmer, Hawaiʻi Program manager, American Bird Conservancy.

Palila Forest Discovery Trail is near Puʻu Lāʻau, four miles from Old Saddle Road at Kilohana Hunter Check Station.

A four-wheel drive vehicle is required.

Free shuttles will be available every 30 minutes from Kilohana from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.