**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor local surf and weather reports prior to your park visit.
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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 12/19/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Keawaʻula Section: Park CLOSED due to anticipated large surf on 12/20/24 through the weekend.
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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Diamond Head State Monument: Beginning January 6, 2025 to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of construction project, the park will close at 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, (excluding weekends and holidays) due to a construction project. The last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only during this time will be 12:00 p.m. If you reserved at 12:00 p.m., you must enter the Park no later than 12:30 p.m. or you will be denied entry. Please check back for updates.
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[MAUI] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Mākena State Park - Invitation For Bid For Sealed Bid Proposal To Provide A mobile Food Truck Concession At Mākena State Park on Maui. Any party that may be interested in providing a bid may inspect the concession premises by calling DSP at (808) 587-0505 or contact DLNR-Division of State Parks Property Manager, Ms. E. Keiki Kipapa, by email to [email protected] Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) except Federal and State Holidays. See Full IFB: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/2024/12/SPM25-010A.pdf
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[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.
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[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.
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
