Hawaii to websites: Stop touting closed cultural site

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.