HILO, Hawaii – Hilo’s Richardson Ocean Park will close at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 27 so maintenance personnel can work on eradicating invasive fire ants.
The county will apply a second round of baiting treatments designed to combat the infestations.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with the University of Hawai‘i to establish an effective strategy for reducing fire ant colonies at Hawaii 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 park will reopen at 7 a.m. the following morning.
