Hawaii Island Police advise the public that Moku ʻOla (Coconut Island) Park is closed until further notice following a partial collapse of the pedestrian bridge leading to the island earlier today.

About 7:40 a.m., as county crews were driving a mini-excavator over the bridge to conduct maintenance in the park, a portion of the bridge collapsed. One county worker was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for precautionary measures although no injuries have been reported.

The Department of Parks and Recreation is currently assessing the structural damage, which is estimated to be at $2 million. Repair work will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Until the bridge is secured and deemed safe for use, all access to Moku ʻOla is prohibited.

The public is urged to avoid the area for their safety and to allow county personnel to conduct their assessment and repairs without interference.

Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

For questions or additional information, please contact the Hawaii County Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 961-8311.