Transforming Visitor Access at Kalaupapa National Historical Park

In 2019, heavy rains caused severe flooding and landslides at Kalaupapa National Historical Park in Hawaii, destroying a 50-foot long pedestrian bridge, cutting visitor access short along the Upper Pali Trail. Park staff responded to the issue by considering ways to improve visitor experience, expand the bridge’s capabilities, and work with the landscape to ensure future rainfalls would not impact access. The result: a new bridge engineered to support pedestrian and stock loads with drapery to mitigate future rockfall or landslides. Now, park visitors can experience the Upper Pali Trail to its fullest potential!

Before & After: Upper Pali Trail Bridge

Left image
Upper Pali Trail bridge destroyed by severe weather.

Right image
Upper Pali Trail bridge repaired with new materials.