**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor weather reports before your park visit.
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[STATE PARKS] — UPDATE 11/19/25: Upcoming Parking Fees at Select State Parks -Starting soon, Hawai'i State Parks will begin implementing parking fees for visitors at four high-use parks: [KAUA'I] Wailua River State Park, [O'AHU] Pu'u 'U'ala Ka'a State Wayside, [HAWAI'I] Kekaha Kai State Park, and Wailuku River State Park. These changes will support ongoing maintenance, cultural and natural resource protection, and improved visitor services. Additional details, including official start dates and rates, will be shared in the coming weeks.
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[KAUA'I] - 11/14/25: THE KALALAU TRAIL has REOPENED.
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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 11/12/25: Kaʻena Point State Parks - Mokuleʻia Section – Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits: We anticipate Ka’ena applications to open at the end of December 2025.
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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 10/3/25: Sand Island State Recreation Area – Comfort stations are CLOSED until further notice due to a transformer issue impacting the pump. Portable toilets are available at each comfort station. Camping has continued to be CLOSED for construction from August 30th, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
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[O’AHU] - UPDATE 9/10/25: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area-Kahuku Section - State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals for parties interested in developing campgrounds. More info: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/malaekahana-state-recreation-area-rfq-rfp-2026/
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 8/29/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion and camping is CLOSED until further notice.
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[KAUA’I] - 7/11/25: VISITORS TO WAIMEA CANYON AND KŌKEʻE STATE PARKS CAUTIONED TO EXPECT DELAYS AND LIMITED PARKING.
Beginning July 14, 2025, Waimea Canyon Lookout with be closed for construction of safety improvements through early December, 2025. This closure, in addition to several overlapping roadwork projects by both DOT-Highways and DLNR-State Parks, will cause delays, impact traffic patterns, and restrict overall parking capacity in these two popular parks through the end of the year. DOT work is continuing on Waimea Canyon Drive, while work on portions of Kōkeʻe Road from the Kalalau Lookout to Puʻu o Kila lookout will be starting the same week. Visitors can drive as far as the Kalalau Lookout, where improvements will also be initiated on July 17, with limited parking available. We urge patience and driving with care as these various improvements are ongoing. Local visitors are encouraged to enjoy these parks and lookouts on weekends, when most work will be suspended. Waimea Canyon Lookout will be closed for the duration of the project including weekends.
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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.
World Wetlands Day Celebration 2019
Posted on Feb 5, 2019(Honolulu) – 38 years ago an intergovernmental treaty was signed that provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. World Wetlands Day marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on February 2, 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
Again, this year, DLNR is partnering with environmental and community organizations to host World Wetlands Day at Kawainui-Hāmākua on Saturday, February 23. This family-friendly event celebrates the designation of Kawainui-Hāmākua as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
In keeping with the 2019 theme of Wetlands and Climate Change, a forum with government, researchers, and community leaders will address the impacts of climate change on the wetlands of the Kailua ahupua‘a. This forum will be held at Holman Hall, Kailua United Methodist Church, from 10:00am until 12:00pm. In addition, free bus tours around Kawainui-Hāmākua and to Maunawili Valley give people an opportunity to explore these special places and to learn about the resources associated with the wetlands of Kailua. Space on the tours is limited and sign-up will be available at the event.
It will be held at Kailua United Methodist Church (1110 Kailua Road) from 9:00am to 2:00pm. On the church grounds there will be exhibits about wetlands and climate change, games and activities for the keiki, and poi pounding (ku‘i ‘ai) demonstrations. It’s a short walk to nearby Ulupō Heiau State Historical Park where there will be tours of the site, the restored lo‘i kalo, and cultural demonstrations.
Parking for the event is available at Kailua United Methodist Church and adjacent Kailua Baptist Church. Overflow parking is available at nearby Windward YMCA, Daybreak Church, and Christ Church Uniting.
Each year since 1997, government agencies and community organizations have offered programs aimed at raising public awareness about the values and benefits of wetlands.
There are currently 2,339 Ramsar wetlands worldwide. Kawainui-Hāmākua was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2005 in recognition of both its cultural significance as an ancient fishpond and its value as a wetland habitat for Hawaii’s endangered waterbirds.
At approximately 800 acres in size, Kawainui is the largest extant wetland in Hawai‘i. Nearby Hāmākua is 23 acres and is located adjacent to Kawainui Stream that connects the two wetlands. Today, the two wetlands are managed by the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife as wildlife sanctuaries. These wetlands also provide flood protection for Kailua. The DLNR Division of State Parks manages several areas around the edge of the wetlands, including Ulupō Heiau State Historical Park and Kawainui State Park Reserve.
For More information please click the links below.
World Wetlands Day 2019 – Poster
World Wetlands Day 2019 – Climate Change Info
World Wetlands Day 2019 – Info Sheet
World Wetlands Day 2019 – Tour Flyer
