By 
Landmark 150-year-old Banyan tree survives destructive Maui fire
An iconic 150-year-old Banyan tree in Lahaina, Hawaii was found still standing after the Maui town was devastated by a deadly fire.
Storyful, Storyful
- The Kalalau Trail, the most popular section of Kauai’s iconic Napili Coast State Wilderness Park, is shut down until further notice due to a suspected rare norovirus outbreak.
- Since Aug. 14, there have been 24 hikers with reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea since visiting Kalalau.
- Laboratory tests results have yet to confirm the illness causing the outbreak but officials suspect it to be norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that spreads through contaminated food or water.
The Kalalau Trail, the most popular section of Kauai’s iconic Napili Coast State Wilderness Park, is shut down until further notice due to a suspected rare norovirus outbreak, according to Hawaii officials.
Since Aug. 14, there have been 24 hikers with reported symptoms of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea since visiting Kalalau, according to a Tuesday press release by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. One was evacuated and another hospitalized.
On Monday, several boat visitors to Kalalau said they became “seriously ill.”
What to do in Hawaii? Locals weigh in on if these popular spots are worth the hype
Laboratory tests results have yet to confirm the illness causing the outbreak but officials suspect it to be norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that spreads through contaminated food or water. People can remain contagious for two weeks even after they feel better.
Officials decided to close Kalalau on Wednesday due to “the high risk of illness in this isolated setting,” the release said.
“This is a very concerning and rare occurrence, magnified by the extreme remote nature of the Kalalau Valley,” said Curt Cottrell, DLNR Division of State Parks administrator, said in the release. “We appreciate the DOH guidance in helping manage and mitigate this isolated outbreak in the hope no one else is exposed or gets sick.”
Renowned for its jagged cliffs and waterfalls, the Napili Coast State Wilderness Park is one of Kauai’s top attractions – some may recognize the coastline from movies such as “Jurassic Park” and “Pirates of the Caribbean.” Split between Napili Coast State Wilderness Park and Haena State Park, the 22-mile round trip Kalalau Trail is “one of the most popular park destinations on the planet,” according to the park’s website. It is the only trail that accesses the Napili Coast by land, leading hikers through five valleys before reaching a cliffside beach.
Four enforcement officers will be located within the park to inform visitors of the closure along with checking on the campers currently there. Those with permits to visit Kalalau during the closure are eligible for a refund or rebooking.
