**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.
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[KAUA’I] UPDATE 6/23/26
The Puu Hina Hina Parking Lot remains closed due parking lot striping.
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[MAUI] UPDATE 6/22/26
‘Iao Valley State Monument: Will be CLOSED until July 17, 2026 for safety improvements.
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Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice.
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[O’AHU] UPDATED 6/18/26
There will be an early closure at 5PM HST on Saturday July 4, 2026 for Puʻu ʻUalakaʻa State Wayside (ʻUalakaʻa Trail) due to \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Fireworks Prohibited in the State Parks\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"
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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 6/17/26
There will be an early closure at 5PM HST on Saturday July 4, 2026 for the West Hawaii State Parks (Kekaha Kai (Manini Owali & Mahai’ula), Kiholo, Hapuna SRA (Hapuna & Waialea) due to \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"Fireworks Prohibited in the State Parks\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\"
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[KAUA’I] UPDATED 5/27/26
Kalalau Trail from mile marker 2-11 after Hanakapiai Valley, will be CLOSED for a feral animal control hunt from June 1-4. The 2 miles of the trail from Keʻe beach at Haʻena State Park to Hanakapiai falls will remain open during this time.
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Puʻu Hinahina parking lot will be CLOSED for road work from May 25-29 and again from June 15-19.
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Koke’e State Park camping will be CLOSED for campground improvements. Construction to begin May 2026 and extend through Spring 2027.
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Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.
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[O’AHU] UPDATED 6/10/26
Heʻeia State Park partial parking lot road closure due to landslide and upcoming stabilization work.
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Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area: Portions of the park which access the reservoir (Also known as Lake Wilson) will be closed Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 1 a.m. the park will remain open to visitors for onshore activities, but lake access via the boat ramp, reservoir banks, and reservoir shores will not be allowed until further notice.
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Ka’ena Point State Park, Mākua Section has REOPENED to beach access. The Keawa’ula section remains CLOSED due to road repairs and damage due to the recent Kona Low storms. The Mokule’ia vehicle access road has REOPENED to valid permit holders - note some roads previously accessible have been closed due to storm damage - heed all road signs.
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[MOLOKAʻI] UPDATE 4/20/26
Pālāʻau State Park: Pālāʻau Wayside Pavilion and Campgrounds remain CLOSED until further notice.
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[HAWAI’I] UPDATED 4/10/26
Notice to bidders for Mobile Food Truck Concessions opened today for certain Hawai’i Island parks. More information at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/mobile-food-truck-concessions-hawaii/
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Akaka Falls State Park: Water and comfort station CLOSED, park open with portable toilets.
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!
