Hāʿena State Park Fire Contained

Update (Sept. 27, 4:55 p.m.)

DLNR officials say that as of 5 p.m. today, Sept. 27, the wildfire that closed Hāʿena State Park and the Kalalau Trail in the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park will be declared 100% contained.

Crews from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife will be back on the fire with two engines to conduct mop-up operations on remaining hot spots tomorrow afternoon.

The DLNR Division of State Parks said they will keep Hāʿena State Park and the Kalalau Trail closed overnight and they hope to have both opened first thing on Thursday.

Previous Post: (Sept. 27, noon)

An approximately 100-acre wildland fire continues to burn on Makana puʿu between Hāʿena State Park and Limahuli Gardens on Kaua‘i’s north shore. Due to the fire, Hāʿena State Park remains closed, including access to the popular Kalalau Trail in the Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.

Haena State Park Fire, Sept. 26-27, 2017. PC: DLNR

Haena State Park Fire, Sept. 26-27, 2017. PC: DLNR

Haena State Park Fire, Sept. 26-27, 2017. PC: DLNR

Haena State Park Fire, Sept. 26-27, 2017. PC: DLNR

The fire was first reported on Tuesday, Sept. 26, during the early hours. Officials say firefighters from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife are still on the scene and that the fire is burning mostly along steep cliffs, making ground approaches for firefighters difficult.

Officials say 14 DOFAW firefighters are being supported by two engines and three DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources officers who are keeping people out of the area. Two helicopters, including the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Air One, continued making water drops this morning.

Officials believe the fire may have been started by an accidental escape from the ceremonial use of fire on Makana. DOFAW personnel and staff from the DLNR Division of State Parks are continuing to investigate the cause.

On Tuesday, two DOFAW staff members and a State Parks interpretive ranger were stationed at the trailhead and along the trail to turn hikers and campers back toward Hanakāpīʿai Stream.

State Park’s records show that today, 26 people with camping permits were scheduled to leave Kalalau, with 28 people arriving to hike in to camp. Managers are in the process of determining a safe route to allow campers to transit past the area where rock falls occur and is now increased due to steep and destabilized slopes in the wake of the fire.

Fire managers are expected to make an evaluation shortly as to whether it is safe to reopen the road and trail.

More information will be released as it becomes available.