MEDIA RELEASE

Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia Auropunctata)

The county Department of Parks and Recreation will close Hilo’s Richardson Ocean Park, weather permitting, at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, so maintenance personnel may apply a second round of baiting treatments designed to combat fire ant infestations.

The park will reopen at 7 a.m. the following morning.

Signs will be posted starting Monday, March 24, to inform park patrons of the temporary shutdown.

The Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with
the University of Hawaii to establish an effective strategy for reducing fire ant colonies at county parks.

Fire ant populations at Richardson Ocean Park decreased by more than 50 percent following the placement of nontoxic baited vials at the park in mid-January.

The Department of Parks and Recreation apologizes for any inconvenience the short closure may cause.