TIM WRIGHT / NEWSPHOTOSHAWAII.COM
Mokuʻola (Coconut Island) Park is closed until further notice after a mini-excavator used by the county for maintenance caused part of a pedestrian bridge to collapse.
Mokuʻola (Coconut Island) Park was closed this morning after part of the pedestrian bridge leading to the island collapsed while county crews were driving a mini-excavator across it, Hawaii island police said.
The collapse happened about 7:40 a.m. as workers were heading to the island to conduct maintenance, according to South Hilo Patrol Capt. Aaron Carvalho. One county employee was taken to Hilo Benioff Medical Center as a precaution, but no injuries were reported.
The Department of Parks and Recreation is assessing the damage, which officials estimate at about $2 million. Repair work will begin once the area is secured and conditions are safe for crews.
Until then, all access to Mokuʻola Island is prohibited. Police urged the public to stay away to allow county workers to continue their assessment and repairs.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. For additional information, the public may contact the county Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311.