**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
⚠️ Monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.
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[STATEWIDE] UPDATE 3/12/26 – All State Parks and Recreation Areas on the Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui amd Molokaʻi will be closed as of Friday, 3/13 for public safety. A severe storm is expected to bring flooding rain, high winds, and thunderstorms to most of the State from through the weekend. Hawaʻi Island parks remain open, but that i ssubject to change. Please check weather reports and check back frequently for storm closure updates.
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[HAWAIʻI] 3/12/26 - Camping has been closed at the following areas due to the approaching storm and predicted heavy winds and rain: Kalopa and Kiholo. Kiholo has been experiencing strong winds (25 – 30 mph) since yesterday 3/11/26 evening. Wailoa SRA will also be closing the pavilions. As of this morning, all parks remain open until further notice.
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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATE 3/5/26 – ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK: Dept. of Water Supply shut off water in the area until further notice affecting the park.
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[O‘AHU] UPDATE 3/4/26 - KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION, VEHICLE ACCESS GATE: Will REOPEN today. You need the 2026 Gold decal adhered to the rear of your vehicle to enter the park, the accompanying permit account provides access to the gate combination online. The 2024-2025 Purple decals are no longer valid. Apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit here. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant. We are experiencing significant delays in processing, we appreciate your continued patience. Vehicle access dirt road repairs are occurring to stabilize severe erosion, and armor problem areas with aggregate to reduce erosion and puddling, and improve road stability.
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[KAUAʻI, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI] 2/10/26 – Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi), Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park (Oʻahu), Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Hawaiʻi): All commercial kayak operators must apply for a Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application, each kayak vessel requires a registered decal. Visit State Parks Permits page here and download and mail in the Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application.
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[ALL ISLANDS] UPDATE – 12/12/25: Camping - Reservations for February 1, 2026 and beyond available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov, please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.
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
