Beginning July 15 the Manoa Falls Trail will undergo periodic closures for construction to improve the upper portion of the trail.

“This is to ensure public safety as heavy equipment will be operating on potentially unstable terrain,” the Department of Land And Natural Resources said in a press release Tuesday. “It is anticipated the trail will only be open every other week and on weekends.”

The work is part three of a three-part trail improvement program initiated by the DLNR Na Ala Hele Trail and Access program in 2006.

Funding support comes from Hawaii Tourism, which is how the Hawaii Tourism Authority wanted to be identified, says DLNR. The money comes from the state hotel tax.

The final phase of trail work, says DLNR, includes fixing the staircase that leads to the waterfall viewing area, improving the viewing area and widening the last two-tenths of a mile of the trail.

“It is critical that this section be widened and improved to allow safe two-way foot traffic,” said Aaron Lowe, DLNR Oahu Na Ala Hele Trails and Access Specialist.

The Manoa Falls Trail sees on average of 200,000 hikers each year, and the wear and tear is showing.

Check the Na Ala Hele Program website to find open trails.