MEDIA RELEASE

The 8.9 earthquake that occurred off Japan on the afternoon of March 10, 2011 generated a series of fast moving, large tsunami waves that came ashore at Pu’uhonua o Honaunau and Kaloko Honokohau National Historical Parks, over topping walls and surging inland hundreds of feet. Park resource management crews assessed coastal areas of both National Parks on March 11 in the early morning hours, and witnessed a continued surging of tsunami related waves throughout the day.

At Kaloko Honokohau, the unimproved road to Kaloko Fishpond remains closed as the coastal trail and parking area at the pond have been damaged and debris covers the parking and picnic areas. The visitor contact station along Queen Ka’ahumanu Hwy is open from 8:30am-4:00pm daily to provide visitors information about the park and safe access to the coastal regions.

Pu’uhonoua o Honaunau will remain closed indefinately as resource crews assess localized damage to coastal areas of the park and begin clearing debris. At Pu’uhonua o Honaunau tsunami wave surges entered the royal grounds and near shore fishponds thoughout the day, scattering marine debris and coastal strand vegetation throughout the park grounds. Damage to park features has yet to be determined and large debris is blocking safe access into the park. Please assist park staff by honoring these park closures.

Further information on Park closures will follow as they become available. For further information about the parks please call Pu’uhonua o Honaunau NHP (808)328-2326 ext. 0 and listen for closure updates, or call Kaloko Honokohau NHP at (808)326-9057.