**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.
•
[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/30/26
Kaʻena Point State Park, Mākua-Keawaʻula Section: CLOSED due to flooding and collapsed road on Farrington Highway.
-
Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokulēʻia Section: CLOSED due to saturated and eroded roads.
-
Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park and Camping REOPEN this weekend.
•
[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.
-
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice.
-
Iao Valley State Monument: Currently CLOSED until further notice. Parking and entry CLOSED until April 26.
-
Kaumahina State Wayside CLOSED.
•
[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/25/26
Akaka Falls State Park: Water and comfort station CLOSED, park open with portable toilets.
-
Kiholo State Park Reserve: Road CLOSED to vehicles due to erosion until further notice, pedestrian access remains opened. Camping remains CLOSED.
-
Lapakahi State Historical Park: CLOSED until further notice due to unsafe trails and water bars.
•
[KAUAʻI] 3/24/26
Polihale State Park and camping is CLOSED until further notice due to mud and debris removal.
-
Kalalau trail OPENED.
-
Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.
•
[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26
Palaʻau State Wayside and camping areas CLOSED for renovations until May 4.
Annual “First Day Hike” at Makapuu Lighthouse Trail on New Year’s Day
Posted on Dec 9, 2019Hundreds Expected to Ring in the New Year at Kaiwi Scenic Shoreline
(Honolulu) – It’s become an iconic New Year’s Day tradition in Hawai‘i and across the country. State Parks in all 50 states are again offering free, guided, First Day Hikes, on Jan. 1, 2020. In the Aloha State, the hike to the Makapu‘u Lookout at the Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline is actually self-guided; just follow the crowd up the one-mile-long, paved path for stunning views as the sun rises at 7:09 a.m.
“Hawai‘i’s unique version of the New Year’s Day hike not only provides the means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature, but we blend in multi-culturalism,” explained Curt Cottrell, Administrator of the DLNR Division of State Parks. As in year’s past, the crowd at the top will be treated to the traditional blowing of a pu (conch shell) to herald in the first sunrise of the year, followed by an oli and then a performance by the drummers of the Taiko Center of the Pacific. Cottrell continued, “Not only are the views stunning, with the possibility of seeing Humpback whales breaching in the ocean below, but the sounds and sights of the pu, the oli, and the taiko drummers give repeat and new visitors alike, chicken skin.”
The Kaiwi First Day Hike, has often been the best-attended in the country, due largely to Hawai‘i’s mild winter weather, the ease of the hike, and the fact that it is very family friendly and designed for anyone, no matter their hiking ability. As many as 700 people have made the trek in past years. The gates to the park will open at 5 a.m. to give people plenty of time to get to the top before the sun rises. Participants are encouraged to bring a light jacket, rain gear if needed, water, and leashes and poop bags for dogs. There are no restroom facilities at Kaiwi. Please remember to pack out all rubbish.
According to America’s State Parks, last year nearly 55,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country. Numerous others hiked state park trails throughout the day. Hawai‘i’s and America’s state parks programs are committed to promoting outdoor recreation in hopes to help address obesity, especially in children.
Furthermore, exercise and outdoor activities rejuvenate the mind and body, promoting overall mental and physical health and wellness. Many believe that time spent in nature enhances creativity and lifts our moods!
