Photo Credit: Tim DelaVega
hawaii wave

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️Monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

[O‘AHU] UPDATE  2/20/26 - KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION: Park is CLOSED due to saturated roads and inclement weather. Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits available now. 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.

[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.

[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.

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Update – WHALE CARCASS OFF SAND ISLAND PARK

Posted on Jan 11, 2019

1/14/19 – UPDATE – WHALE CARCASS OFF SAND ISLAND PARK
On Saturday, (1/12/19) a cooperative operation between city & county, state, and federal government agencies resulted in the successful removal of a decomposing whale carcass from shallow waters fronting Sand Island State Recreation Area. The DLNR Division of State Parks posted closed signs in the area yesterday and based on advice from NOAA the signs will remain in place for now. Experts caution people from entering the water, as they say there is a lot of “whale material” remaining in the area. Please follow instructions on posted signs.

Original Post: (1/11/19) The carcass of a sperm whale, first spotted off-shore from Kewalo Basin yesterday is now “hard-a-ground” adjacent to Sand Island State Recreation Area.  Signs are being put up in the immediate area, indicating it is closed, and all ocean-users are advised to stay out of the water due to the possible presence of sharks.