More Than 50 Campers Got Sick on a Hawaiʻi Hiking Trail, and Poop Is the Problem

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by HI Dept Land Natural Resources (@hawaiidlnr)

“The highly contagious norovirus has been identified as the cause of illness to dozens of backpackers along the trail. This viral illness typically causes copious vomiting, often accompanied by fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea,” wrote the notification of closure from the Hawai‘i Division of Parks within the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Most infected hikers and backpackers were able to walk out, though some needed medical assistance to leave the campground and were taken to area hospitals for observation.

The trail is one of the prettiest on the island, and had a 60-person cap on how many people can go beyond the day-use area on a single day. For summer of 2024, it was increased to 80. Photo: Raphael Rivest/Shutterstock

Norovirus is spread by ingesting infected water or food sources, direct contact with infected fecal matter, touching surfaces recently touched by someone with norovirus on their hands, or inhaling particles from someone who has norovirus. It’s often associated with densely packed cruise ships, as it spreads quickly in areas with heavy use and dirty surfaces. Norovirus also spreads easier when too many people are using bathroom and sink facilities in rapid succession or in close proximity, or when substances that have norovirus on them (like toilet paper) aren’t properly disposed of.

The virus did not start on the Kalalau Trail, the Division of Parks noted. It was likely introduced to the trail’s facilities by someone who already had the virus. It’s also not the first instance of hikers contracting the virus while outdoors, as it’s been known to spread on both the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Credit Trail in similarly crowded, remote areas. But hikers along the Kalalau Trail reported to media outlets that they blamed the disease’s quick spread on poor management, claiming that the bathroom facilities were “rancid,” and had such an off-putting order that campers opted not to use them. Hikers choosing to do their business in the woods help spread the disease, as this can contaminate water and shared public areas. With bad cases of norovirus, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhea are common, making it difficult for sick people to get to restroom facilities in time. That, in turn, helps further spread the disease.

One hiker shared images with Kauai News Now of trash heaps in a composting toilet stall, and piles of used toilet paper and tissues tossed around closed bathroom facilities. Hikers blamed the state for not having adequate restroom facilities, as well as a lack of signage informing hikers of where to find restrooms and sanitary facilities.

A park employee mounting a closed sign in front of a sea cave near the campground. Photo: Hawaii Departnment of Land and Natural Resources/Daniel Dennison

According to the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the issue comes down to personal responsibility of people recreating on the trail. “Visitors are reminded that it against the law to urinate or defecate other than at the toilet facilities provided,” read a recent update on the trail closure from the parks division. Park representatives also told media outlets that health risks were increased by users “not practicing good and safe camping practices.” According to testing by Center for Disease Control, fecal matter — a.k.a., human poop — was found inside the extremely popular (and extremely ecologically sensitive) ocean cave next to the camping area.

Matador Network reached out to the Hawaiʻi Division of State Parks and will update this article when any new information is provided.

As of mid-September, the Kalalau Trail norovirus closure has been extended indefinitely, as state officials undertake extensive cleaning and disinfecting of all facilities along the trail.