Pampas Grass, Argentine Ant Eradication Planned at Haleakalā

Haleakala photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Staff at Haleakalā National Park on Maui have announced the planned temporary closure of two park areas for invasive species eradication efforts.

The temporary closures include the following:

• Halemau’u Trail in the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park will be closed from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on October 30, 2012. Park staff will be using helicopters near the trail to spot and eradicate pampas grass, a very invasive and aggressive grass species from South America.
• The Holua Campground in the Summit District will be closed the night of November 8, 2012. Park staff will be in the campground applying control measures to prevent the spread of Argentine ants, an invasive ant from South America that impacts native insects and plants.

Park officials said they appreciate the public’s understanding while crews work to protect the Park’s native ecosystems.