Photo Credit: Tim DelaVega
hawaii wave

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor local surf and weather reports prior to your park visit.

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 3/18/24 – Kōkeʻe State Park: The gate to Puʻu O Kila Lookout will be closed to vehicular traffic due to road repairs beginning 3/19/24. The lookout will still be accessible by pedestrians, parking is available at Kalalau lookout.

JOIN US ON JANUARY 1st FOR HAWAI’I’S ANNUAL FIRST DAY HIKE – AMONG THE MOST UNIQUE IN THE U.S.

Posted on Dec 18, 2018

The annual First Day Hike on the Makapu’u Light House Trail at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on O‘ahu is arguably the most unique of the nearly 1,200 hikes in America’s State Parks each New Year’s Day.  While far from the most difficult it is one of the best attended with an estimated 700 people making the short, two-mile-roundtrip hike to an overlook where participants can see the first sunrise of 2019.  What makes it unique is the blend of cultures, which is a hallmark of Hawai’i.

 

The day begins with the customary blowing of the Pu (conch shell), followed by a Hawaiian oli, and performances by a taiko drum group. DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “As our hike has evolved over the years, we’ve found that for local residents and visitors alike this unique blending of cultures provides a memorable start to the new year.  This, with the addition of spectacular views and the possibility of spotting breaching Humpback whales really makes Hawai‘i’s First Day Hike quite memorable and many people have come back year after year.”

 

The gate to the Kaiwi Coast Scenic Shoreline will open at 5:30 a.m., with sunrise at 7:09 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring water, reef safe sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, snacks and poop bags for pets, all of which must be on leashes. The trail to the Makapu’u Lighthouse overlook is paved, is handicapped accessible, and is a relatively easy walk.