Photo Credit: Tim DelaVega
hawaii wave

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 6/17/24 – Polihale State Park: Queen's Pond access Road is CLOSED June 17-21 (m-f) for rock placement.  Pedestrian traffic should be aware of heavy equipment traversing through the area.  The park remains open - visitors should access via Cane Top access road and points beyond.

[HAWAI’I] UPDATED 6/10/24 –'Akaka Falls State Park is now fully open.  There will be a brief closure later this month (June 24-28, m-f), for additional repair work.

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 6/18/24 –Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park: Camping permits held back for local residents during summer, see Kalalau Trail site for more information.

[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.

[HAWAI'I] UPDATED 6/18/24 -  West Hawaii State Parks to close early on the 4th of July at 5 PM. Parks effected are: Kekaha Kai SP—Mahai’ula section and Manini’owali (Kua Bay) section, Kiholo SPR, Hapuna Beach SRA and Waialea section

Camping Permits Now Required to Hike Beyond Hanakāpīʻai along Nāpali Coast

Posted on Mar 1, 2015

In response to continued illegal campers abusing the fragile and overtaxed Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauaʻi, camping permits are now required to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai Valley along the Kalalau Trail.  Hanakāpīʻai is a two mile hike from the trailhead at the end of Kauaʻi’s north shore highway in Hāʻena State Park.  Hikers may still access Hanakāpīʻai waterfall two miles upvalley without a permit.  Signs have been posted on the western side of the valley indicating the point beyond which a valid permit is required.  No day-use permits will be issued, only hikers/backpackers with valid camping permits may legally proceed beyond the sign.  Violators of this policy may be cited, and those cited will be required to show up in court.  Violation of this rule is a petty misdemeanor under Hawaiʻi law, and a conviction will result in a criminal record in addition to penalties.

This policy is being reinstituted in response to continued rampant abuse of trail policies, which has led to degradation of natural and cultural resources, overtaxing the capacity of the park’s limited composting toilet facilities, and overcrowding of the authorized camping areas in Kalalau Valley.  These factors combined are contributing to lower quality visitor experiences and a growing number of public complaints, in addition to possible public health concerns.

We appreciate the public’s cooperation with this policy.