GOVERNOR LINGLE RELEASES $4.4 MILLION FOR DIAMOND HEAD TRAIL SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

For Immediate Release:  December 27, 2007

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $4.4 million for the design and construction of trail system improvements at Diamond Head State Monument on O‘ahu. This is one of many projects the Department of Land and Natural Resources has undertaken since 2005 to upgrade facilities at Hawai‘i’s 69 state parks.

“State parks are popular attractions for residents and visitors who want to experience the natural beauty of our islands,” said Governor Lingle. “My Administration’s continued focus on park upgrades throughout the state will ensure that our park users in Hawai‘i enjoy safe conditions, including the hundreds of people who hike up Diamond Head each day.”

The Diamond Head State Monument trail attracts more than 600,000 residents and visitors annually. Despite continued trail maintenance efforts, the monument’s trails have deteriorated due to increases in visitor numbers and the natural effects of erosion.

This project will stabilize hillsides and slopes adjacent to the trail system; improve narrow corridors and other trail sections that have deteriorated; install safer stairways and wider walkways at the Winch and Summit lookouts; and construct a loop trail connecting the Summit Lookout and the rest-stop landing at the top of the pedestrian tunnel.

Design is scheduled to be completed in April 2008. Construction is scheduled to begin in February 2009 and be completed in February 2010.

Earlier this year, Governor Lingle released $2.7 million for ongoing rockfall mitigation and slope stabilization improvements to protect the safety of park users and homeowners with residences along Diamond Head’s exterior slopes.

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For more information, contact:

Laura H. Thielen
Director, DLNR
Phone: (808) 587-0401

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043