Back in March my husband took me on a hiking weekend in Kōkeʻe on Kaua‘i for my 40th birthday.

And on that trip I discovered what would become one of my all-time favorite hikes ever: Alaka‘i Swamp Trail.

This 7-mile trail through along the canyon rim, through native forests, and across an eerie bog was the highlight of our stay on Kaua‘i — and, in my opinion, the best hike in the 4,345-acre state park.

A good portion of the trail — including the Pihea Summit Trail — is a boardwalk made of redwood outfitted with chicken wire to prevent hikers from slipping as much. The original boardwalk was installed nearly 20 years ago, and there are sections of the pathway that have been damaged or completely gone.

The boardwalk through the Alaka‘i Swamp.

Sections of the boardwalk have been damaged or destroyed over the last 20 years and will be getting much-needed repairs next month.

This year the Division of Forestry and Wildlife received $335,000 to repair the boardwalk to preserve this unique ecosystem, where nearly 100 percent of the plants and trees are native. Work to repair the boardwalk starts in September.

According to Dan Kawika Smith, Nā Ala Hele specialist with the state, these dilapidated sections will be replaced by recycled plastic lumber and a variety of different slip-resistent applications.

He said the boardwalk, which was completed in 1998, has helped keep hikers on the trail. That has meant fewer rescues and less impact on this unique bog environment.

So expect upgrades to the boardwalk on your next visit to Kōkeʻe!