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Cleanup From Tsunami Under Way At National Park Sites in Hawaii

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Published Date

March 15, 2011

Crews have been cleaning up debris left behind at Pu`uhonua o Honaunau and Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Parks from last week's tsunami. NPS photo from Pu `uhonua o Honaunau.

Clean-up is ongoing in both Pu`uhonua o Honaunau and Kaloko Honokohau national
historical parks in Hawaii from last week's tsunami, which officials say overtopped walls and surged hundreds of feet inland.

At Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Park, officials say the unimproved road to Kaloko Fishpond has been closed "as the coastal trail, picnic and parking area at the pond have been damaged and debris cover the ground far inland."

The Hale Ho`okipa visitor contact station along Queen Ka`ahumanu Hwy remains open from 8:30 a.m. to  4 p.m. daily to provide visitors information about the park and safe access paths to the coastal regions.

Much of Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park has remained closed, though, as resource crews assess damage to the park and begin clearing debris. Visitors do have limited access to areas in the park including the visitor center, paved parking area, the amphitheater and the canoe halau from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The royal grounds, pu`uhonua, picnic area, coastal and 1871 trails all remain closed to entry. At Pu`uhonua o Honaunau, the tsunami surges entered the royal grounds and fish ponds throughout the day on March 11, scattering marine debris and coastal vegetation throughout the park grounds, according to park officials.

Comments

Just though this video of He'eia Bay during the surge on 3/11/11 at 7:30 am may be of interest. It shows the force of what the water can do in a small bay.


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