Manoa Falls Trail to remain closed after dangerous rock slide

MANOA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - DLNR Police spent Saturday morning turning hikers away at Manoa Falls Trail.

Friday afternoon, a 100-foot rock slide happened in the upper pool area sending debris and boulders crashing down to the Aikuilama Trail as well as the lower pool area of the main Manoa Falls Trail.

HFD searched for hikers from the sky but no one was hurt or trapped.

Some hikers still chose to ignore the closure signs and hike as far as they could Saturday. Krista Hockenberry made it about a half mile up before she was turned around by DOCARE officials.

"Yeah, we were excited. That's one of the reasons why we came from Pittsburgh was to see the falls so, a little disappointed but it was a great hike up,"

Hockenberry wasn't alone when she walked passed these closure warnings. She was one of many hikers who were told by the private parking attendants below the trail that they could hike at their own risk. DLNR says that's not the case.

"It's dangerous. So really it's not about whether it's legal or not legal. It's dangerous and people should really take it upon themselves and take the responsibility to not go into dangerous areas," said Aaron Lowe, Trails Access Specialist for Oahu.

Private contractors will repel down to assess the damage and potential for more rockfall. Until that happens, there's no telling how long the trail will be off limits.

Hikers weren't cited by DLNR. The Agency says for now, they are mostly focusing on educating the public about the closure. But citations could come and can range anywhere from $50 to $500.

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