(Honolulu) – Maintaining and caring for (to malama) a remote wilderness park is a daunting, expensive, and labor-intensive task. When the leadership of the Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) elected this year to put renewed emphasis on the spectacular Napali Coast State Wilderness Park on Kaua’i, they knew that many years of unpermitted activity, an often-times unforgiving environment and unprepared or unwary visitors would continue to create a special set of challenges and opportunities.
State Parks
HONOLULU – The major walkway along the coastline of Wai‘anapanapa State Park will be replaced beginning on September 6. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks will be phasing the project over the next 6 months to avoid a complete closure of the walkway. However, the construction of the new 4-foot wide concrete walkway will disrupt access along portions of the path over several months. The current walkway provides access to the scenic lookouts along the coastline and to Pailoa Bay, the popular black sand beach. Pailoa Beach will be closed for approximately 2 weeks, probably in October, for the construction of a new concrete pathway with steps. The campgrounds, picnic tables, and restrooms will remain accessible but may require alternate routes during construction. Roadways and parking areas may be temporarily impacted by the construction activities.
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife is notifying the public that vehicle access to Kuaokala and Peacock Flats has been restored. The closure was due to heightened security levels at military access points (i.e. Ka‘ena Point Satellite Tracking Station).
WAHIAWA, O‘AHU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks tomorrow will reopen the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area, on Walker Avenue, following completion of repaved, restriped, and other improvements of roadway and parking areas in the park made for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The restroom renovation is nearly complete but portable toilets are available for the time being.
HONOLULU – Most state parks and forests on Hawaii, Maui, Oahu and Kauai are reopening as state crews inspect these areas today. Most parks have reported no significant impacts from the storm. Forest areas are being assessed today.
HONOLULU -- The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is closing state forest and park areas on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, in anticipation of the effects of tropical storm Darby this weekend.
HONOLULU -- Due to the anticipated continued high surf on east facing shores of O‘ahu being generated from Tropical Storm Celia and Hurricane Darby, all park users who visit Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline -- commonly referred to as Makapu‘u -- should stay out of the water at the tide pools below the Makapu‘u lighthouse.
(HONOLULU) - A DLNR Division of State Parks employee reports that two people searching for virtual reality Pokemon Go figures wandered into a sensitive heiau on Kauai where a cultural protocol was underway.
HONOLULU -- Interested community members are invited to an open house at Ha‘ena State Park to discuss changes and updates to the draft master plan and environmental impact statement (EIS) on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), State Parks Division and members of the Ha‘ena State Park Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will host the open house forum so people can visit the site and see the location and scale of proposed park facilities and infrastructure.
WAHIAWA, OAHU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks will completely close the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area, on Walker Avenue, starting Monday, July 18, 2016. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety while the roadway and parking areas in the park entry are repaved, restriped, and other improvements made for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The park entry gate will remain closed during this period, and the boat ramp will also be closed.