FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM
The Diamond Head State Monument will close early for four days this month for inspection for rockfall hazards. Here, hikers Sergio Niccolo, left, Milan Bolic, Jovana Bolic and Ivana Nedjic hiked the switchbacks down the trail after visiting the summit yesterday. CLICK FOR LARGE
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Surveys to close Diamond Head
The state will close Diamond Head State Monument early four days this month to inspect for rockfall hazards along the summit trail.
The dates are Jan. 17, 19, 22 and 24. On those days, the park will close at 1 p.m.
Normal park hours are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Equipment will be used in narrow portions of the trail, leaving no room for bypass during the inspections, which may also cause rocks to dislodge, said Dan Quinn, state parks administrator.
The cost of the assessment project is $244,980.
The contractor, Earth Tech Inc., will also inspect the exterior face of the Kahala Tunnel entrance into the crater and the road cuts for Diamond Head Road and Poka Place.
Gov. Linda Lingle is asking the state Legislature for $4 million in capital improvement funding for rockfall mitigation at Diamond Head.