**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor weather reports before your park visit.
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[STATE PARKS] — UPDATE 11/19/25: Upcoming Parking Fees at Select State Parks -Starting soon, Hawai'i State Parks will begin implementing parking fees for visitors at four high-use parks: [KAUA'I] Wailua River State Park, [O'AHU] Pu'u 'U'ala Ka'a State Wayside, [HAWAI'I] Kekaha Kai State Park, and Wailuku River State Park. These changes will support ongoing maintenance, cultural and natural resource protection, and improved visitor services. Additional details, including official start dates and rates, will be shared in the coming weeks.
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[KAUA'I] - 11/14/25: THE KALALAU TRAIL has REOPENED.
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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 11/12/25: Kaʻena Point State Parks - Mokuleʻia Section – Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits: We anticipate Ka’ena applications to open at the end of December 2025.
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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 10/3/25: Sand Island State Recreation Area – Comfort stations are CLOSED until further notice due to a transformer issue impacting the pump. Portable toilets are available at each comfort station. Camping has continued to be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
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[O’AHU] - UPDATE 9/10/25: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area-Kahuku Section - State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals for parties interested in developing campgrounds. More info: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/malaekahana-state-recreation-area-rfq-rfp-2026/
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice.
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[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25: VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.
Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025. This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year. DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week. Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available. We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing. Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.
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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.
01/20/23 – STRANDED ELDERY COUPLE SINGLES OUT VETERAN STATE PARKS CARETAKER FOR EXTRAORDINARY HELP
Posted on Jan 20, 2023| JOSH GREEN, M.D. GOVERNOR |
DAWN CHANG
CHAIRPERSON |
For Immediate Release: January 20, 2023
STRANDED ELDERY COUPLE SINGLES OUT VETERAN STATE PARKS CARETAKER FOR EXTRAORDINARY HELP
To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://vimeo.com/790866871
(Kahului, Maui) – A random act, actually continued acts of kindness, is bringing to light the Aloha spirit demonstrated by a long-time state parks worker.
When an elderly couple became stranded by a flat tire on the road to Hana in mid-December, DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) Maui caretaker William ‘Wade’ Latham came to their rescue not once, but multiple times over the course of six hours.
In a letter sent to DSP, 88-year-old Dan and 77-year-old Sheila Kane of Tennessee, detail the circumstances that led to them being stuck alongside the narrow road on a rainy night with no phone service to call for help. What was developing into a nightmare ending to their Hawaiian vacation became one of its highlights.
Crossing a one-way bridge on the Hana Highway, another driver, who they say was in a big hurry, forced them off the side of the road. One of the tires on their rented convertible was sliced by a rock, and the trunk only had room for the car’s top — no spare tire.
In a virtual interview Sheila said a few people stopped, but no one could offer help, until Wade came along.
For 30 years Latham has been keeping state parks across Maui clean and tidy. He is primarily responsible for three parks on the island’s east side, but like his co-workers he helps out in other parks across the Valley Isle.
Taking a break from helping clean up storm-felled trees in Mākena State Park, Latham says he made five trips from the Kane’s disabled car to his home, five miles away, to make calls on their behalf. He called the rental car company, multiple tow truck operators, an auto club and even the Maui Police Department.
“Each time he came back he provided information, and even food and water. He offered to have us spend the night with him and his wife, but we were reluctant to leave our car in the event someone came looking for us,” Sheila said.
After more than six hours of back and forth, Latham reluctantly told the couple, around 11 p.m., he needed to go home and get some sleep, given his early workday ahead. About half an hour after Wade last saw them, a tow truck showed up with a replacement car and their ordeal came to an end.
Sheila used words like selfless, kind, concerned, and helpful to describe Latham.
His boss, DSP Maui Superintendent Larry Pacheco said he’s not surprised. “Wade exemplifies the very best qualities of a group of workers who typically shun the spotlight. He’s an example for all of us about how we should and can treat all visitors and residents.”
“Throughout the years I’ve helped a lot of tourists change tires, unlock cars, and even provide gas. This was just one of those situations. I felt obligated to take care of our kūpuna. I just couldn’t leave them in the middle of nowhere. No cell service, no lights, no food, no drink, no nothing,” Latham said.
I told them, “Over here you still get aloha. They got the true meaning that night, for sure.”
Position descriptions for most State workers have a clause, “other duties as assigned.” For Wade, assigned or not, it’s just part of being a dedicated, caring public servant.
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(RESOURCES)
(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
HD video – Interviews with Sheila Kane and Wade Latham, Latham at work (Jan. 19, 2023):
Photographs – Wade Latham, Sheila Kane, letter:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/grv12ianjy6kvwe/AAC4YHc0hG0tE_jwUiLAkcG4a?dl=0
Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager
