HONOLULU (KHON2) — Kalalau is closed and will remain closed for seven days while DOH and DLNR assess and get results on what caused 24 people to become ill while there.
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The DLNR said in a news release that they were closing the Kalalau section of the Nāpali Coast Wednesday after DOH received reports of acute gastrointestinal illness in those who had recently hiked in the area.
“One of our group members, who happens to also work in health care, was so violently ill that she requested we contact emergency services to be helicoptered out,” Hawaii resident Jeff Gaughan told KHON2.
According to KFD, Air 1 responded to a call, the second over the weekend, of a 32-year-old female who reported being sick after drinking water in the area. The hiker was transported from the Kalalau beach landing zone at 8:50 a.m. on Sunday.
Gastrointestinal illness affects 24 Kalalau hikers: DOH
“First we thought it was something we contracted from drinking from the stream since it was the only shared resource with all the campers there but we were using a variety of filtration devices including iodine tablets and boiling water and the illness was hitting everyone regardless of how they treated the water so we eventually ruled that one out,” said Gaughan.
After a little research, deduction and observation from their time at the camp site, they came up with what they thought was affecting them.
“We narrowed it down to norovirus as it fit the description of what we’re experiencing,” Gaughan said. “We think the virus could have been just lingering around in the sand, on the dirt, in the trees, on the rocks, on the tables that were there. We donʻt really know at this point but we have a feeling the entire camp site is probably infested with it.”
Specimens were taken from those infected and DOH said they expect to have results Thursday morning.
“A possible explanation is that one or more sick individuals vomited and/or spread feces in the area. With the limited ability to wash and sanitize the area well, they could have spread the virus to others using the trail and restroom facilities,” DOH told KHON2.
Despite the situation, Gaughan said he would return.
“Look we’re going to keep coming back here because it’s the most beautiful place in the world but we would love for the state to step in and help clean the place up specifically the bathrooms.”
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