Travel
Travel

Hawaii to websites: Stop touting closed cultural site

This undated photo, provided by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, shows crosses etched by vandals on the crumbling remains of the 180-year-old summer palace of former King Kamehameha III in the forest of a Honolulu, Hawaii, neighborhood. The Department said Thursday, June 23, 2016, that unless the vandals are caught desecrating the sacred cultural site, there’s little law enforcement officers can do. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)
This undated photo, provided by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, shows crosses etched by vandals on the crumbling remains of the 180-year-old summer palace of former King Kamehameha III in the forest of a Honolulu, Hawaii, neighborhood. The Department said Thursday, June 23, 2016, that unless the vandals are caught desecrating the sacred cultural site, there’s little law enforcement officers can do. (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources via AP)
July 1, 2016

HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii officials are asking websites and blogs to stop pointing people to the off-limits crumbling remains of a Hawaiian monarchy palace.

Officials said last week vandals etched crosses on 180-year-old walls of King Kamehameha III’s former summer palace in Honolulu.

The palace named Kaniakapupu is in a closed watershed area. The state says those caught trespassing will be cited.

However, social media and various websites lure people to the area by touting it as a scenic and leisurely hike.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources says it has sent letters to more than a dozen sites that mention Kaniakapupu.

The department says tourism and travel website Exploration Hawaii removed Kaniakapupu information. Blogs Outdoor Ohana and Traveling Thru History told the department they will remove directions to the site.

More Stories

Keep Reading

The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, Kentucky, boasts five bars, bourbon-themed rooms and the services of a bourbon butler. (Courtesy of Trail Hotel)

Credit: Kriech-Higdon Photography

Savor the flavor of Bardstown, Kentucky, heart of the Bourbon Trail

Life as a bourbon butler isn’t easy, but Norma Smith loves her role at the new Trail Hotel, a bourbon-themed property in Bardstown, Kentucky, the Bourbon Capital of the World.

The Latest

The Trail Hotel in Bardstown, Kentucky, boasts five bars, bourbon-themed rooms and the services of a bourbon butler. (Courtesy of Trail Hotel)

Credit: Kriech-Higdon Photography

Savor the flavor of Bardstown, Kentucky, heart of the Bourbon Trail

Birmingham’s robust trail system beckons urban outdoor adventurers

Slow down to take in the beauty of Florida’s forgotten frontier

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.