**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor weather reports before you park
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[KAUA’I] - UPDATE 4/7/25: Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast SWP has REOPENED today. Ha’ena shuttle has RESUMED today.
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 3/24/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to demolition and renovation work, the pavilion will be closed from March 25 to May 31.
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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.
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[OʻAHU] - UPDATE 3/18/25: Mauna ʻAla, Royal Mausoleum State Monument will be undergoing improvements that may temporarily prevent vehicular access. Please check the Royal Mausoleum State Monument website for updates.
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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 3/18/25 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM): Full Park Closures will occur Tuesdays through Fridays beginning April 1 to April 11 and also Monday through Thursday April 14 to April 17. Partial Park Closures Hours with operating hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM will occur on Monday April 7 during this time, and will resume from April 21 onwards Monday through Friday, (except weekends and holidays). Normal Park Hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM will resume during Spring Break March 17 to March 28, Good Friday Holiday on April 18, and Weekends. During Partial Park Closures Hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only 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. The project began January 6, 2025, and will run to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of the rock fall mitigation construction project at the Kahala Tunnel. Please check back for updates.
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[MAUI] UPDATE 3/4/25 - Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Beginning April 1, 2025 through April 30, 2025 the park, cabin campgrounds and access road to Polipoli Forest Reserve will be closed due to tree mitigation work.
JOIN US ON JANUARY 1st FOR HAWAI’I’S ANNUAL FIRST DAY HIKE – AMONG THE MOST UNIQUE IN THE U.S.
Posted on Dec 18, 2018The annual First Day Hike on the Makapu’u Light House Trail at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline on O‘ahu is arguably the most unique of the nearly 1,200 hikes in America’s State Parks each New Year’s Day. While far from the most difficult it is one of the best attended with an estimated 700 people making the short, two-mile-roundtrip hike to an overlook where participants can see the first sunrise of 2019. What makes it unique is the blend of cultures, which is a hallmark of Hawai’i.
The day begins with the customary blowing of the Pu (conch shell), followed by a Hawaiian oli, and performances by a taiko drum group. DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said, “As our hike has evolved over the years, we’ve found that for local residents and visitors alike this unique blending of cultures provides a memorable start to the new year. This, with the addition of spectacular views and the possibility of spotting breaching Humpback whales really makes Hawai‘i’s First Day Hike quite memorable and many people have come back year after year.”
The gate to the Kaiwi Coast Scenic Shoreline will open at 5:30 a.m., with sunrise at 7:09 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring water, reef safe sunscreen, sun-protective clothing, snacks and poop bags for pets, all of which must be on leashes. The trail to the Makapu’u Lighthouse overlook is paved, is handicapped accessible, and is a relatively easy walk.
