Following reports of acute gastrointestinal illness among visitors, the Kalalau Section of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kaua‘i will be closed starting tomorrow due to public health concerns. The closure, recommended by the Hawai‘i Department of Health and announced by the DLNR Division of State Parks, is necessary because the isolated setting poses a high risk of illness, according to the Office of the Governor.
Notices about the closure have been sent this afternoon by the Division of State Parks to individuals holding confirmed overnight permits for the affected dates. While the origin of the illness remains undetermined, it presents with common gastrointestinal symptoms. Affected individuals have been advised of the park's temporary closure. According to a statement obtained by the Division of State Parks and reported by the Office of the Governor, after one camper fell ill and hiked out on Monday, some others who were seriously ill left by boat.
Those impacted by the closure have options—they can request a refund or potentially reschedule their visit for a later date. Division of State Parks is directing permit holders to reach out via email for these arrangements, noting that the situation may evolve pending further advice from the Hawai‘i Department of Health. On a typical day, the Kalalau camping area can host up to 80 guests, but due to the present health concerns, the area will be void of outdoor enthusiasts for at least the next week.
In response to the situation, Division of State Parks sent a team of officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement to inform hikers of the closure and ensure the welfare of anyone still at the site. The officers flew to the park one of them stationed at Hanakāpīʻai to inform hikers of the closure between there and Kalalau, while returning to the mainland is a serious health hazard. The statement obtained by Division of State Parks quoted Administrator Curt Cottrell, who expressed the unique issue's seriousness, "This is a very concerning and rare occurrence, magnified by the extreme remote nature of the Kalalau Valley. We appreciate the DOH guidance in helping manage and mitigate this isolated outbreak in the hope no one else is exposed or gets sick," as per the Office of the Governor.
The suspected pathogen behind these ailments is Norovirus, though laboratory tests are still pending to confirm this. Those individuals who have recently hiked the trail are being instructed to monitor for symptoms, which include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although no hospitalizations have been reported, the Hawai‘i Department of Health is involved in preemptive advisory roles and has revealed that since August 14, at least 24 people reported being affected, with one evacuated from the area. In cases where symptoms do not resolve within 24-48 hours or become severe, medical attention should be sought promptly, recommends Hawai‘i Department of Health.
