HILO, Hawaii — Hikers claim to be unaware that hiking beyond closures and "no trespassing" signs into an area known as “Narnia” just outside of Hilo, is illegal. This is despite marked closures and signage.

According to the Hawaii Island Branch of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, accessing the trail to Narnia and its waterfalls requires a permit or hunting license, as it traverses into private property before entering the Hilo Forest Reserve and the Hilo Restricted Watershed section. The watershed is the source of pristine drinking water for residents in the surrounding areas.

A source of “disinformation” continues to be websites and social media posts that provide directions to the restricted area. The DLNR said travel sites note the area’s closure, but still provide directions to access it.

“We will actively be working through the DLNR Communications Office to encourage travel sites and blogs to remove all mentions of Narnia, as far too many people are ignoring closures and no-trespassing signs,” said DOCARE Hawaii Island Branch Chief Lawrence “Junior” Terlep in a DLNR news release.

DOCARE's goal on Saturday was to educate rather than enforce. Out of 20 hikers, all turned back except for two, who were later called back and entered into a "frank" discussion with the DOCARE team. (Photo courtesy Hawaii DLNR)

On Saturday morning, five DOCARE officers were onsite at the entrance to Narnia with one purpose: to educate rather than enforce.

“This is the first step in curbing the tremendous amount of unpermitted entry into this area,” stated DOCARE Lieutenant Verl Nakama. “Now that word is out, those who trespass in the future could be cited.”

Officers told the first pair of hikers not to go beyond the restricted watershed signs posted along Wailuku River. DOCARE officers spotted them less than an hour later climbing up toward the waterfalls. After being hailed by another officer to return, the DOCARE team had a “frank” discussion with the two, who left with a warning and no citation.

Posted signs warn hikers that a permit is required to enter the area, yet many have continued to bypass the signs. (Photo courtesy of Hawaii DLNR)

“It’s hard to overcome the power of social media, even when a site includes closure information,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. “We’ve seen a degree of success in reducing illegal entry to places like the long-closed Sacred Falls or White Road by getting travel sites to completely eliminate any mentions of these restricted or closed areas. We hope our efforts to encourage reputable sites and bloggers to do the same with Narnia will result in greatly reduced numbers of trespassers there.”

For the past three years, the neighborhood below the entry point to Narnia has posted “no parking” signs aimed at hikers who have created problems by parking in driveways, in peoples’ yards, and even blocked the narrow single-lane road.

Referring to a nationally recognized hiking site that starts with the words, “Indefinite Closure,” regarding Narnia, but then includes a map for directions, Redulla said, “At least this site mentions the potential dangers and the closure, but we’d like them to eliminate mentions of Narnia altogether. As we know, if something is online, many people will ignore the rules in search of their next adventure. They do so at the risk of paying large fines or getting hurt.”

(Photo courtesy of Hawaii DLNR)

DOCARE officers spoke to approximately 20 hikers on Saturday, all of whom — except for the first couple — turned back at the river’s edge.

Officer Craig Dente concluded, “There are plenty of beautiful places to visit and no sense in risking your safety, the local water supply, or getting a citation by entering a closed area.”

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.