Hōlua to Temporarily Close for Ant Control on June 20

The Hōlua backcountry camping area of Haleakalā National Park will temporarily close overnight on 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 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).

Argentine ant colony. NPS photo.

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 in the afternoon hours of Friday, June 21, 2019. All other backcountry trails, cabins, and the Palikū camping area remain open and will not be affected by this closure.