Hiking trails opened to wheels

Kula Forest Reserve trial program for bike riders will last a year


KULA — Two trails in the Kula Forest Reserve previously closed to mountain bikes will be open to bicycles beginning Tuesday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said.

In announcing the opening of the Boundary Trail and the Redwood Trail to bicyclists as well as hikers, the Division of Forestry and Wildlife said it will be a yearlong trial program, with forestry staff evaluating the impact of bicycle use in October and again in April 2009.

The Skyline Trail and Waiakoa Loop Trail already are open to use by mountain bicyclists and hikers. Bicycles also may be used on Waipoli Road, the access road to the Kula Forest Reserve that connects to the Skyline Trail.

“As the demand for public recreational areas increases in our state, we must learn to utilize limited resources and embrace the concept of shared multi-use areas,” said Laura Thielen, state land department chairwoman.

“Each user group must be willing to make concessions to allow all others to participate in their favorite activity, while working together to protect our treasured natural resources.”

The Redwood Trail runs makai from the Polipoli Springs State Park and connects to the Boundary Trail. Both previously were closed to mountain bicycles.

Bicycles will continue to be barred from the Tie Trail and Plum Trail, Haleakala Ridge Trail and the Polipoli Trail, which form a loop back to the Polipoli park.

Bicycles also will be banned from the lower Waiohuli Trail, a trail connecting the Boundary Trail to Waipoli Road

Several trails, including the Mamane Trail, Upper Waiakoa Trail and Upper Waiohuli Trail as well as the lower Waiohuli Trail, remain closed to all uses while forestry personnel continue to remove hazardous trees damaged by a January 2007 wildfire. When reopened, the trails will be available to bicyclists and hikers.

The fire that broke out near the Upper Waiohuli Trail on Jan. 23, 2007, burned across 2,300 acres of the forest reserve, severely damaging 1,800 acres, and a large section remains closed because of deadfall hazards and concern that public use could cause more damage to the land.

For the trails that will be opened to bicyclists and hikers, Na Ala Hele program trails specialist Torrie Nohara urged bicyclists to be aware that there may be hikers on the trails.

“Bicyclists should attach advance warning systems, such as bells, to their bikes to warn of their approach,” she said. “Be sure to yield to pedestrians and equestrians.

“When enjoying the trail for the first time, it’s best to travel slowly through unknown territory and even scout the trail on foot before actually riding it.”

Nohara also noted that the trails run through game hunting units and hikers and bicyclists should wear bright-colored clothing such as blaze orange vests to increase their visibility.