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DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES News Release LINDA LINGLE GOVERNOR _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PETER T. YOUNG, CHAIRPERSON
Phone: (808) 587-0401
Fax: (808) 587-0390
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For Immediate Release:
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MANUKA, HAWAI‘I — The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will close the Manuka State Park and a portion of the Manuka Natural Area Reserve, on the island of Hawai‘i’s southwest side, starting Tuesday, March 27 through Thursday, March 29, 2007 while DLNR crews carry out another round of aerial treatments for coqui frogs. “As a precaution, we are closing these two areas to the public during our coqui frog control operations,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson. No camping permits will be issued for the week and over the weekend following the treatment to keep public exposure to the treatment area to a minimum. DLNR will close the loop trail area of Manuka Natural Area Reserve and adjacent Manuka State Park to allow the use of the parking lot as a staging area and avoid possible risk to the public. The helicopter will operate Tuesday-Thursday. The park will reopen to the public on Monday, April 2, and camping reservations may be made for after that date. Crews will continue to treat the outer limits of the population in hopes to prevent spread of the frogs further mauka and to the south toward Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. “Active control of invasive species is a DLNR priority. Since 2005, we have conducted six treatments at Manuka, which has proven to be effective in significantly reducing the coqui population. We believe it is possible, and necessary, to continue controls of isolated populations of coqui in remote natural areas where the native ecosystem is threatened,” said Young “We have concentrated on treating the entire area, in the hope that continued monitoring and spot treating may successfully eradicate this isolated population,” he said. Young said the treatment strategy for Manuka was developed in consultation with coqui experts from around the state. The most recent treatment was in December 2006 and covered approximately 12 acres. For more information call DLNR-Forestry at (808) 974-4221 or DLNR-Parks at (808) 974-6200.
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