Hōlua to Temporarily Close for Ant Control Overnight

The Hōlua backcountry camping area of Haleakalā National Park will temporarily close overnight tonight (Thursday, June 20, 2019), to control non-native Argentine ants.

Hōlua is located along the Halemau’u Trail within the Summit District of Haleakalā National Park.

Argentine ant colony. NPS photo.

Argentine ants prey upon native insects. One insect that is highly vulnerable to ant predation is the endemic yellow-faced bee, which is a primary pollinator of the threatened Haleakalā ʻāhinahina (silversword).

Park control efforts are focusing on the Hōlua area to prevent accidental human spread of Argentine ants to uninfested backcountry areas.

The Hōlua backcountry camping area will reopen tomorrow afternoon on Friday, June 21, 2019. All other backcountry trails, cabins, and the Palikū camping area remain open and will not be affected by this closure.

Silversword in bloom. Photo courtesy National Park Service.