05/23/23 – KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK HOURS TO BE STRICTLY ENFORCED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

[OʻAHU] UPDATED 11/4/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokuleʻia Section: The 2024 Kaʻena Point permit and decal is being extended through 2025. You do not need to apply for a new permit now, you will be notified when applications open next year. Take good care of your decal, we cannot replace decals. Please remember to take rubbish bags home, do not leave it a the trash bins. 

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 11/4/24 – Waimea Canyon State Park/Kōkeʻe State Park: Paving will take place on Waimea Canyon Road leading into Puʻu Hinahina Lookout on Wednesday, November 6 limiting vehicle access into and out of the lookout parking lot from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Pedestrian access will remain open, and vehicles can access the lookout before and after the closure.

05/23/23 – KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK HOURS TO BE STRICTLY ENFORCED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

Posted on May 24, 2023
JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR
DAWN CHANG
CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate Release:  May 23, 2023

KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK HOURS TO BE STRICTLY ENFORCED MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/829541202

HONOLULU) – The DLNR will be enforcing existing park closure hours at Ka‘ena Point State Park for the upcoming three-day holiday weekend to protect sensitive species and habitats from illegal activity.

DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, “We continue to receive reports, videos, and photographs showing people breaking the law and ignoring the park’s safe wildlife viewing rules. For the safety of Ka‘ena users and protected species, the park entrance gate near Dillingham Airfield will be closed between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

All vehicles need to be out of the park by 7:00 p.m. except for valid permit holders who will not be affected.

“While the majority of park users tread lightly, rules to protect the natural resources of this remote and wild coastline park are broken daily and bad behaviors seem to increase on holiday weekends,” said DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) Assistant Administrator Alan Carpenter. “People drive on the beach, have pallet bonfires which leave nails in the sand, and leave behind all manner of rubbish that pollutes this landscape.  Most of this illegal activity takes place after the park is closed.”

Ka‘ena Point State Park rules include:

  • No motorized vehicles/ATVs off road
  • No alcohol
  • No smoking
  • No animals/pets
  • No camping
  • No driving on the beach
  • No open fires or bon fires
  • No littering

Prior to the park entrance gate closing each night, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) will sweep the area between the entrance gate and the permitted vehicle access gate. “We hope people will comply with officer instructions and exit the area,” said DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla. “This is being done to protect sea turtle nesting sites, resting monk seals (pups and adults), other endangered native plants and animals, and everyone’s safety.”

The gates at the Keawa‘ula Section of Ka‘ena Point State Park, on the west side of O‘ahu, will also close, as normal, at 7:00 p.m. and reopen at 6:00 a.m. The same rules are in place for both the north shore and west side sections of the park.

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(RESOURCES)

(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

 

HD video – Ka‘ena Point State Park (various dates):

https://vimeo.com/829541202

 

Photographs – Ka‘ena Point State Park (various dates):

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hc6anqkcxygd8aw/AAAsyF6JVJJKNNCVBGXidAD4a?dl=0

 

Marine wildlife safe viewing guidelines:

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/marine-life-viewing-guidelines/viewing-marine-wildlife-hawaii

 

 

Media Contact:

Dan Dennison

Senior Communications Manager

[email protected]