NPS Photo/Janice Wei
(BIVN) – Improvements to Mauna Loa Lookout are complete and the road is open, national park officials say.
The Mauna Loa Lookout is now wheelchair-friendly, and the entire 11.2-mile Mauna Loa Road is now open to vehicles. The National Park Service made the announcement in a media release issued this week.
“The parking area and path to the Mauna Lookout shelter were reconstructed and repaved, and a new accessible vault toilet was installed,” the park stated. “Visitors will also find an inviting new wheelchair-friendly picnic table and accessible parking stall.”
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Parkon Jan. 3, 2018
The Mauna Loa Lookout is perched at 6,662 feet, and provides panoramic views of Kīlauea volcano, old lava flows, and the ocean on clear days. The subalpine woodland includes koa, māmane and ‘ōhi‘a trees, and endemic bird species, including ‘i‘iwi. The octagonal shelter at the Lookout was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, and is an excellent example of the National Park Service rustic architectural style.
Backcountry hikers utilize Mauna Loa Road and Lookout to access Pu‘u‘ula‘ula (Red Hill) and its cabin, Mauna Loa summit and cabin, and other sections of the challenging Mauna Loa Trail. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays.
Workers will begin to fix pot holes along Mauna Loa Road next week, park officials added, but no closures are necessary.
NPS Photo/Janice Wei
by Big Island Video News
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STORY SUMMARY
HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - The Mauna Loa Lookout shelter was reconstructed and repaved, and a new accessible vault toilet was installed, park officials say.