The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will be conducting animal control activities within several areas on the Big Island, leading to temporary closures and access restrictions. The closures are scheduled for April 23-24, 2025, and will affect public access to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K), Palila Mitigation Lands, and the Ka’ohe Game Management Area (Unit G).

The primary focus of the animal control effort is to manage populations of mouflon/feral sheep hybrids, feral goats, and feral sheep within palila critical habitat. DOFAW will employ staff hunting and aerial shooting from helicopters to achieve this goal. The aerial shooting is mandated by a federal court order requiring the removal of sheep and goats from areas critical for the survival of the endangered palila, a bird species endemic to Hawaii.

While the restricted areas will be closed to general public access, the portion of Mauna Kea Unit A south of the Gilbert Kahele Recreation Area (bordering Pohakuloa Training Area) will remain open for mammal hunting.

Temporary Closure Details:

• Dates: April 23-24, 2025
• Affected Areas: Mauna Kea Forest Reserve (Unit A), Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve (Unit K), Palila Mitigation Lands, and the Ka’ohe Game Management Area (Unit G).
• Mauna Kea Hunter Access Road: Access Restricted, allowed BY PERMIT ONLY for animal salvage purposes.
• Mauna Kea Observatory Road: Will remain open.
• Gate Closures: The Hale Pohaku, Kilohana, and Pu’u Ko’ohi gated entrances to Unit A and G, and the gate behind Gilbert Kahele State Recreation Area, will be locked at 8 p.m. on April 22, 2025, and reopened at 7 p.m. on April 24, 2025.

Salvage Permits Available:

For individuals interested in salvaging animal carcasses resulting from the control activities, access permits will be available. Due to anticipated high demand, permits will be issued via telephone call-ins to the DOFAW Hilo Office at (808) 974-4221 from 9:00 a.m. April 15, 2025, to 10:00 a.m. on April 22, 2025.

• Only one permit will be issued per call per vehicle for one day only.
• Applicants can be added to a stand-by list for additional days if slots remain.
• No standbys will be allowed access at the gates.
• Information required: Driver’s name, occupants’ names, vehicle license plate, make/model of vehicle.
• A maximum of 15 permitted vehicles will be allowed at the Pu’u Ahumoa location and 15 permitted vehicles at the Pu’u Mali location.

Salvage Location Details:

• April 23, 2025: Pu’u Ahumoa. Permittees must meet at Kilohana check-in station at 7 a.m. sharp.
• April 24, 2025: Pu’u Mali. Permittees must meet across from the Waimea Veterinary office on Mana Road at 6 a.m. sharp.

Four-wheel-drive vehicles are required for salvage. It is important to note that there is no guarantee that animals will be available for salvage. Salvage locations are subject to change.

The DLNR emphasizes that these actions are necessary under HAR§ 13-130-19 and § 13-104-23(a) (3) to minimize the dangers of incompatible uses within the forest area and to safely conduct animal control activities, ultimately benefiting the endangered palila. Maps illustrating the area subject to aerial shooting are available for inspection at the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Office. For further details regarding meat salvage or access permits, contact the Division of Forestry and Wildlife in Hilo at (808) 974-4221.