DLNR News Release – TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KA‘IWA RIDGE TRAIL FOR LFA TREATMENT, May 6, 2025

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA 'OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI 'ĀINA

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR

DAWN CHANG
CHAIRPERSON

FIRST TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF KA'IWA RIDGE TRAIL

FOR LITTLE FIRE ANT TREATMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 6, 2025

HONOLULU - The Ka'iwa Ridge Trail, popularly known as the Lanikai Pillbox Trail, will close for LittleFire Ant (LFA) treatment from 6-10 a.m. tomorrow, May 7. Several agencies including the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the O'ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC), and the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture are partnering in the effort to control LFA at this location.

Although not yet found on the trail itself, LFA were detected on the eastern slope of the ridge during a recent delimiting survey by Hawai'i Ant Lab. Partners determined that an aerial approach would be best to treat the tricky ridge terrain and selected Aloha 'Āina Drones to support the project.

"Drone technology is advancing our efforts to move this site from an active infestation to eradication," said OISC Outreach Coordinator Erin Bishop. "Drones offer a faster, safer and more cost-effective way to treat large, steep areas."

The DOFAW Nā Ala Hele Trail and Access Program will support the closure with stewards posted at the trail heads. Hikers who seek to use the trail during the closure will be encouraged to return after 10 a.m., once the trail reopens.

This will be the first in a series of treatments of LFA at this location over the next nine months. Anticipated trail closures are as follows:

As of April 2025, there have been over 80 LFA detections on island. The agencies involved in this treatment at Lanikai Pillbox reflect the broad base of cooperation across the island to control this pest. OISC, the Hawai'i Ant Lab, and nonprofits like Hui o Ko'olaupoko and the KEY Project have played instrumental roles in raising community support to control new detections. As a result, emergent populations of LFA have been successfully managed in other places on O'ahu such as Mililani-Mauka, Kāneʻohe, Kailua and Mānoa.

Bishop added: "We're thrilled to move forward with this innovative approach with the support of DOFAW - without it, the threat of LFA spreading into surrounding residential and recreational areas would remain. This marks a major step forward in protecting our communities and environment."

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RESOURCES

(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

Photographs - Ma'akua Ridge Trail Closure for LFA Eradication (various):

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/vxm7y9kz7w6eoo73fr77m/AOV74EOKSIZUkXa5oKszLKA?rlkey=3pwmkfsu6a6jse9pnm1v90w90&st=ty14p5gi&dl=0

Little Fire Ant information:

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/little-fire-ant-lfa/

https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/lfainfo/

https://www.oahuisc.org/species/little-fire-ant/

www.stoptheant.org

For more information about LFA on Oʻahu, visit: www.oahuisc.org/lfa-community-actions/or contact Erin Bishop, OISC Outreach Coordinator, at 808-266-7994.

Trail information:

https://hawaiitrails.ehawaii.gov

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/app

https://www.facebook.com/oahu.hele/

Media Contact:

Ryan Aguilar

Communications Specialist

Hawai'i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources

808-587-0396

Email: [email protected]