The County of Hawai'i announced last week that it will be erecting barricades to prohibit use of the Old Laupahoehoe Road, which has been deemed unsafe even for pedestrians.

A study by GeoLabs revealed active landslides with degrees of hazards ranging from dangerous to extremely dangerous. The County is installing barricades to discourage pedestrian use of the "unofficial" scenic trail.

The road has been closed to vehicle traffic for more than 20 years and has been unofficially used by pedestrians in recent years. The October 2006 earthquakes caused extensive landslides covering major portions of the one-mile stretch, Big Island officials said.

At the April 25 Laupahoehoe community meeting, residents stressed the importance for an emergency exit. The County is considering safety mprovements to the Laupahoehoe Point Road.

The estimated pre-construction cost is $350,000; $100,000 to study any potential hazards and $250,000 to identify historical sites.