The Maui News brings good tidings of the spectacular Kula Forest Preserve, a pristine swatch of land in Upcountry Maui on the slopes of Haleakala. The Preserve has been closed after horrific fires destroyed trees and trails and floods ravaged roads. Mountain bikers, hikers and equestrians had been happy users of the Preserve. Well, it's open now, folks, so get out your boots or saddle up that iron horse and take to the hills. It's a once-in-a-lifetime kinda place. Here's the details from the Maui News article. Or get even more detail from the Na Ala Hele (State Trails) site.

"The state forestry division and Na Ala Hele trails program will open several trails in the Kula Forest Reserve to bicyclists as well as hikers beginning Tuesday. The Redwood Trail and Boundary Trail will be open to bicycles. Both previously had been off-limits to wheeled vehicles. The Waiakoa Loop Trail and Skyline Trail also remain open to bicycles. The Upper Waiakoa Trail and Mamane Trail are both closed because of hazardous trees, but will be available to bicyclists when they are reopened."

—Alex, 04/01/08