Photo Credit: Tim DelaVega
hawaii wave

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

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[KAUA'I] update 10/1/24 - KALALAU TRAIL SECTION OF THE NĀPALI COAST STATE WILDERNESS PARK HAS REOPENED.

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[OʻAHU] update 9/28/24 – Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area: The boat ramp and lower parking lot will be CLOSED on October 5, 2024 for the Day at the Lake Community Event, free event open to the public from 9am to 4pm, no reservations needed – there will be boat rides, environmental education exhibitors, entertainment, and food. More information at dayatthelake.org

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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 9/3/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokuleʻia Section: Due to severe staff shortages, the processing of vehicular access permits may experience delays. We appreciate your understanding and patience during this time.

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[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 6/18/24 – Kōkeʻe State Park: The gate to Puʻu O Kila Lookout will be closed to vehicular traffic due to road repairs beginning 3/19/24. The lookout will still be accessible by pedestrians, parking is available at Kalalau lookout.

CAMPING SUSPENDED AT SAND ISLAND STATE RECREATION AREA

Posted on Aug 30, 2024

Due to constant disregard of numerous state parks camping rules, reckless nighttime behavior, and campers frequently leaving campsites littered with rubbish and used camping gear, the DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) is suspending camping at Sand Island State Recreation Area beginning August 23.

 

DSP Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “This behavior is overwhelming the park caretaker and maintenance crew who clean up the campsites and park. It is jeopardizing public safety and diminishing the quality of the park.”         

 

The list of observed violations includes:   

 

  • People attempting to camp without permits.
  • Staying in a campsite after a permit expires, making maintenance a challenge to prepare the site for the next group.
  • Consuming alcohol and engaging in disruptive and noisy behavior throughout the night, carrying over into daylight hours.
  • Ignoring the 10-person limit per campsite and frequently having more than 30 people stay overnight. This includes people entering the park after it is closed to join others at campsites, frequently waiting outside the gate to get picked up while drinking and being raucous and noisy.
  • Leaving rubbish at campsites and spreading litter during the night throughout the park and ignoring the rubbish cans that are next to each site. 
  • Lighting illegal fires, including children starting fires in areas outside campgrounds.

 

Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) can and will issue citations for   illegal behaviors. Once a new Civil Resource Violations System (CRVS) is up and running, officers will be able to write citations and levy fines on the spot. The goal of CRVS is to modify behaviors. Until this enforcement strategy can be instituted, DSP is suspending camping indefinitely.