Photo Credit: Tim DelaVega
hawaii wave

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

[STATEWIDE] UPDATE 3/12/26 – All State Parks and Recreation Areas on all Islands, as well as State Park Offices, will be closed as of Friday, 3/13 through at least Sunday 3/15, for public safety.  A severe storm is expected to bring flooding rain, high winds, and thunderstorms to most of the State from  through the weekend.    Please check weather reports and check back frequently for storm closure updates.

 

[HAWAIʻI] UPDATE  3/5/26 – ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK: Dept. of Water Supply shut off water in the area until further notice affecting the park.

[O‘AHU] UPDATE  3/4/26 - KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION, VEHICLE ACCESS GATE: Will REOPEN today [UPDATE 3/12 - temporarily closed due to storm]. You need the 2026 Gold decal adhered to the rear of your vehicle to enter the park, the accompanying permit account provides access to the gate combination online. The 2024-2025 Purple decals are no longer valid. Apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit here. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant. We are experiencing significant delays in processing, we appreciate your continued patience. Vehicle access dirt road repairs are occurring to stabilize severe erosion, and armor problem areas with aggregate to reduce erosion and puddling, and improve road stability.

[KAUAʻI, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI] 2/10/26 – Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi), Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park (Oʻahu), Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Hawaiʻi): All commercial kayak operators must apply for a Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application, each kayak vessel requires a registered decal. Visit State Parks Permits page here and download and mail in the Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application.

[ALL ISLANDS] UPDATE – 12/12/25: Camping - Reservations for February 1, 2026 and beyond available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov, please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.

All State Parks on Oahu Closing Effective Friday at Midnight

Posted on Aug 6, 2020

August 6, 2020

All State Parks on Oahu Closing Effective Friday at Midnight: Closure Plan Mirrors City & County of Honolulu’s Act with Care – Do Not Gather Order

(Honolulu) – Large, unauthorized gatherings, social crowding, and disregard for compliance with COVID-19 safety rules is leading to the closure of all DLNR Division of State Parks units on the island of O‘ahu. The effective closure dates mirror those of the City and County of Honolulu’s Act with Care – Do Not Gather order, also released this afternoon by Mayor Kirk Caldwell, with the approval of Governor David Ige. This means parks will close after midnight tomorrow and remain closed at least until midnight on Sept. 4, 2020.

DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “The current surge of COVID-19 cases on O‘ahu requires im-mediate action for public health and safety. This surge has been attributed to not wearing pro-tective facemasks, being in large social gatherings, and some people simply ignoring the health practices that have been implemented to try and get coronavirus under control.”

The closure includes all O‘ahu State Parks, Waysides, Lookouts, Scenic Shorelines, Recreation Areas, and Monuments. Camping is suspended and includes, Ahupua’a o Kahana State Park, Keaiwa State Recreation Area, Malaekahana State Recreation Area (both the for the Kalanai and Kahuku sections) and Sand Island State Recreation Area. Authorized management activi-ties will continue and comfort stations may be subject to closures. Parks with authorized tenants will remain closed but management will remain on site.

The grounds of Iolani Palace remain closed, but the palace itself remains open for tours.

State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “Our park units and ambient trails, resources and beaches provide a critical respite, diversion and recreational experience from the emotional challenges of COVID-19, but due to the mounting reckless and utter disregard to wearing face-masks and the simple and well known social distancing protocols, these areas must be now be closed. We have observed an increasing number of people ignoring protocols that have been drilled into our society to protect our collective safety. It is unfortunate at a time when we need access for exercise, health and peace of mind that certain behaviors require rapid and a defini-tive unilateral action by the City and County of Honolulu and the State of Hawai‘i.”

O‘ahu State Parks are being closed for consistency with today’s orders from the City and County against gathering.