**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.
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[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/30/26
Kaʻena Point State Park, Mākua-Keawaʻula Section: CLOSED due to flooding and collapsed road on Farrington Highway.
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Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokulēʻia Section: CLOSED due to saturated and eroded roads.
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Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park and Camping REOPEN this weekend.
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[MAU’I] UPDATE 3/30/26
Waiʻānapanapa State Park : Currently CLOSED to parking, park entry, tent camping, camper van camping and all cabin reservations, anticipated REOPEN on March 31st.
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Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice.
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Iao Valley State Monument: Currently CLOSED until further notice. Parking and entry CLOSED until April 26.
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Kaumahina State Wayside CLOSED.
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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/25/26
Akaka Falls State Park: Water and comfort station CLOSED, park open with portable toilets.
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Kiholo State Park Reserve: Road CLOSED to vehicles due to erosion until further notice, pedestrian access remains opened. Camping remains CLOSED.
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Lapakahi State Historical Park: CLOSED until further notice due to unsafe trails and water bars.
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[KAUAʻI] 3/24/26
Polihale State Park and camping is CLOSED until further notice due to mud and debris removal.
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Kalalau trail OPENED.
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Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.
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[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26
Palaʻau State Wayside and camping areas CLOSED for renovations until May 4.
KAIWI SCENIC COASTLINE FIRST DAY HIKE RETURNS AFTER COVID HIATUS
Posted on Dec 21, 2022DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
JOSH GREEN M.D. GOVERNOR
SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON
NEWS RELEASE
KAIWI SCENIC COASTLINE FIRST DAY HIKE RETURNS AFTER COVID HIATUS (HONOLULU) – As one of the best attended First Day Hike events in the country, the trek to the
Makapu‘u Overlook for the first sunrise of 2023 is back!
2012, was the kick-off of Hawai‘i participating in and celebrating the nationwide First Day Hike. This is the 10th anniversary of the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline hike, though COVID caused the cancellation of events the past two years.
46 states are hosting a multitude of hikes in 2023. The Hawai‘i First Day Hike…a walk really… is along the paved roadway to the summit of Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline and provides incredible views mauka to makai and has attracted as many as 700 people on previous New Year’s Days.
“It is a unique and moving experience and spiritual way to usher in a new year. Watching the first sunrise of the year peak over the Kaiwi Channel and Moloka‘i, synchronized with the blowing of a pu in the 4 cardinal directions by Gabriel Spencer of Ke Leo O Laka I ka Hikina O Ka La, followed with an oli by Dr. Sam Gon of Halau Mele, is a chicken skin experience that exemplifies Hawai‘i’s unique culture” said Curt Cottrell, Administrator of the DLNR Division of State Parks.
Sunrise is followed a rousing taiko performance of the Taiko Center of the Pacific by students of Sensei Kenny Endo. In previous years, Scottish bagpipes have been part of the mix – providing a trilogy of sound and meaning that is an audible representation Hawaii’s cultural influences.
The DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP) is very grateful for this community partnership for an event that adds cultural elements to the striking natural landscape.
The summit viewing platform will be closed before and during sunrise to provide space for the pu, oli and the taiko drummers. It reopens for after the performance.
FIRST DAY HIKE AT KAIWI STATE SCENIC SHORLINE
Gates to the park open at 5:30 a.m. to give provide ample time to get to the top and in position along the route for the 7:10 a.m. sunrise.
Staff will arrive in advance to drive up to the summit with drums and performers before hikers start to ascend.
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The paved footpath is one mile each way.
Flashlights, blanket and warm clothes are encouraged – in addition to darkness Kaiwi can be windy along the route and especially at the summit.
Parking is limited at the trailhead so overflow vehicles must park along the highway. Carpooling is encouraged.
Exercise extreme caution when crossing the highway.
There are no restroom facilities at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, but for this event State Parks will provide portable toilets at the trailhead.
Please carry out all rubbish and bring poop bags and leashes are required for dogs
“Hawaii’s First Day Hike ‘ohana and DSP are excited to bring this stirring event back to Kaiwi after the pandemic hiatus. While many other states have more challenging (and colder) hikes to offer on New Year’s Day, few can match Kaiwi for stunning scenery, possibly catching a glimpse of a humpback whale, and participating in a cross-cultural celebration, with the pu heralding the sunrise, a mele oli to shepherd in the new year, and powerful taiko to stir the heart and galvanize our intent for the upcoming year.” Cottrell added.
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RESOURCES
(All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
HD video – First Day Hike feature, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline (Jan. 1, 2020):
HD video – First Day Hike media clips, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline (Jan. 1, 2020): https://vimeo.com/382313796
Photographs – First Day Hike media clips, Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline (Jan. 1, 2020): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9w2q7mo5z44klek/AABYrSQbfClvISoOAT4gOw5sa?dl=0
Media Contact:
Dan Dennison
Senior Communications Manager (808) 587-0396 [email protected]
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