has been closed after dozens of hikers were struck down by norovirus in recent weeks. In a press release issued on Friday, the DLNR Division of State Parks announced the closure of the entire Kalalau Trail section, from Kē‘ē to Honopu in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, following reports of acute gastrointestinal illness from at least 37 . Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea symptoms, has been identified as the cause of the symptoms.
“This is a very concerning and rare occurrence, magnified by the extreme remote nature of the Kalalau Valley," says DSP Administrator Curt Cottrell. The Kalalau Trail is an 11-mile trail out-and-back trail along the rugged Nāpali Coast popular with backpackers. At full capacity, the Kalalau camping area accommodates 80 people, and on Wednesday 40 campers had to be moved on.
Officials from the DLNR are in place to redirect hikers in the area. The first case was reported back on August 14, and since then one hiker has been evacuated from the area, though none is thought to have been hospitalized. Forrest Liss of Kaua‘i tells the DLNR he hiked into the campsite on Tuesday even though he had heard about some sort of illness.
"We figure camping, people get sick. Maybe they drank the water. People get sick but when they start going through the protocols of shutting down the park, actually this is something a little more serious.
” By the time he and his party reached camp almost everyone who was .