Work to shut Makapuu trail, parking

The Makapuu Lighthouse Trail and parking lot will close Tuesday through Friday and again Monday through Sept. 23 for repaving in an ongoing $2.7 million improvement project.

While the work will temporarily keep hundreds from the popular East Oahu trail, weekend hikers who don’t mind rough and unpaved conditions can still use it Saturday and Sunday, the Department of Land and Natural Resources said.

The trail and parking lot at the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline will be accessible over the weekend during regular park hours, 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

The work will not affect the Makapuu Lookout along Kalanianaole Highway, and the shoreline can be accessed from the Sandy Beach end of Makapuu Beach Park.

The repaving follows the reconstruction of retaining walls along the road, installation of new culverts under the road, and repair of drainage ditches. Construction on Makapuu’s scenic lookouts continues, and the uppermost viewing area remains closed for renovations.

The two lookouts on the trail were built in 1991. The one at the top will be expanded about 8 feet, and new railings will be installed. Crews will build a new rock wall at the cliff’s edge.

“It is exciting to see all the new improvements along the Makapuu Trail taking shape and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work to complete this project by the end of September,” said Curt Cottrell, newly selected State Parks Division administrator, in a statement. “We have been able to accommodate the public’s use of the trail during much of the construction work, but for public safety, we must close the trail during the road paving.”

An estimated 400 people use the 1-mile trail each day to reach the scenic summit.

The months-long construction project was launched with an estimated cost of $2.7 million, covered by state and federal funds and by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

Information on the Ka Iwi State Scenic Shoreline and Makapuu Lighthouse Trail can be found at 808ne.ws/1KjfuTp.