Department of Land and Natural Resources

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 25, 2020

HUGE BEACH PARTY BROKEN UP BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AT KA’ENA STATE PARK

Hundreds of People Violate Emergency Rules

(Honolulu) – Late Sunday night into the wee hours of Memorial Day, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement and the Honolulu Police Dept. worked to clear an estimated 200 people from a beach at the Mokuleia Section of Ka‘ena Point State Park on O‘ahu’s North Shore. Witnesses report the crowd was even bigger earlier in the evening.

When officers arrived at 10:30 p.m., they say before losing count, they recorded 170 cars. Three DOCARE officers, joined by five HPD officers, spent the next 4 ½ hours directing partiers to clean up their messes and to leave the area. A DLNR Division of State Parks employee captured photos before and after the party and said this morning the area was left, “spotless.”

That was not the case after large gatherings on Friday and Saturday nights. Saturday morning DOCARE officers cleaned up trash and pallets used to fuel giant bon fires the night before. Open fires on Hawai‘i beaches are illegal. Participants were also in violation of COVID-19 Emergency Rules, as well as not having permits for large gatherings in a state park. Saturday and Sunday night’s parties were promoted on social media.

Last night, due to the size of the crowd and the small law enforcement contingent, the goal was to disperse the crowd and get their messes cleaned up. Officers report that most people were compliant, but there were a couple of “knuckleheads,” who wanted to argue and push their luck. No citations were issued, however.

On the other side of Ka‘ena Point State Park, DOCARE officers report the Keawaula and Makua Sections were also packed by beach goers and park users. Many Illegal camping issues were addressed.  

DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, “This is exactly the kind of bad and selfish behavior we’ve all been asked repeatedly not to engage in during this emergency. It’s unfortunate, that at least in the case of the Sunday night party, from our officer’s contact and observations of those involved, many were off duty military personnel. This is a day when we remember the sacrifices of the men and women who’ve given their lives in defense of our country and its disappointing that the urge to socialize and party, at this particular time, overrides any obligation to duty and common sense.”

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Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
(808) 587-0396
[email protected]