**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor weather reports before your park visit!
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[KAUAʻI] – UPDATE 9/16/25: West Kauaʻi Park Units – State Parks is recruiting for a Park Maintenance Supervisor II for the West Kauaʻi Park units, including, Kokeʻe State Park, Na Pali Coast Wilderness Park, Paʻulaʻula State Historic Park, Polihale State Park, Waimea Canyon State Park, and Waimea State Recreational Pier. See position description here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hawaii/jobs/5060650-0/park-maintenance-supervisor-ii-kokee-kauai
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[OʻAHU] – UPDATE 9/11/25: Kaʻena Point State Parks - Mokuleʻia Section – Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits Closed for 2025. Purple 2024 permits valid through 2025. Please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi at https://explore.ehawaii.gov/Web/. You will need an Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi account to apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Vehicle Access Permit, please create an account. Continue to check the Kaʻena Point State Park website for 2026 permit application updates.
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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.
Ka’ena Point Vehicle Access
Vehicle Access Special Use Permit
The Vehicle Access Special Use Permit is required to drive a vehicle into Ka‘ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokuleʻia Section, beyond the gate and the paved road that ends at the gravel parking area. Initiated in 2015 primarily as a cultural and natural resources management tool that was generally supported by the community to protect Ka‘ena, this permit system aimed to curtail 20 years of increasing landscape degradation caused by uncontrolled four-wheel drive vehicle use in the reserve. Permit conditions require drivers to remain on a limited number of designated dirt roads and stress that this is not a four-wheel drive recreation area – but that the designated roads are for responsible access for fishing, sightseeing, coastal access and to get to the Natural Area Reserve and the point.
2024 Current Permit Holders
- Permit Decal: If you already have a 2024 permit and a purple decal affixed to the rear of your vehicle, there is no need to renew your permit for the calendar year 2025. Your 2024 permit will be accepted through 2025. Take good care of your decal, we cannot replace decals.
- Gate Combination Access:
Step 1: Call the Gate Combination Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at (808) 207-9488.
Step 2: Enter your assigned Confirmation Number when asked for your Confirmation Number. You will then hear the gate combination.
New Applicants
Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits Closed for 2025. Purple 2024 permits valid through 2025. Please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi at: https://explore.ehawaii.gov/Web/. You will need an Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi account to apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Vehicle Access Permit, please create an account if you haven’t already. Continue to check the Kaʻena Point State Park website for 2026 permit application updates: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/kaena-point-state-park/
Need Assistance?
If you need to contact Customer Service or Technical assistance, email [email protected] or call (808) 695-4620.
Contact State Parks for other inquiries about the Kaʻena Point State Park, email [email protected] or call (808) 587-0300.
Road Map
The Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit allows vehicles to access designated roads in the permitted section provided on the KP-Designated-Road-Map-2024. Please stay on designated roads.
Park Rules & Permit Special Conditions
- Current decal must be adhered to the rear of the registered vehicle and a printed copy of the permit must be in the vehicle
- Do not let others enter the gate behind you
- Mud-bogging and off-roading from designated roads can lead to a revoked permit
- From 7pm to 6am, no stopping/parking from the airfield entrance of the park to the vehicle access gate
- Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the park
- Drones are prohibited
- Open-ground fires are not allowed
- Pack out all your bulky trash, do not leave your trash bags or other debris at park trash bins
- Complete list of Permit Special Conditions and rules
FAQS
- How do I see this week’s Gate Combination?
- Please call the Gate Combination Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system at (808) 207-9488. When asked for your Confirmation Number, please enter your assigned Confirmation Number. You will then hear the gate combination.
- What is my Confirmation Number?
- Your confirmation number was sent to the email address used in your permit application.
- How do I apply for a new permit?
- New permit applications are not being accepted at this time. Please check back here at the end of the year. If you have a 2024 permit decal, you do not need to reapply for new permit in 2025. Your 2024 permit and the purple decal affixed to the rear of your vehicle is valid through 2025.
- I lost my decal/my decal was stolen/I got a new vehicle, how can I reapply for a new one?
- New permit applications are not being accepted at this time. Please check back here at the end of the year.
- Will the Gate Combinations continue to change on Wednesdays?
- Yes, the gate combination will continue to change every Wednesday morning by 9:00 A.M.
- How long will this IVR calling system be in place?
- As of March 3, 2025, the Gate Combination Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system has replaced the SUPS website, where the gate combination was provided online.
- Will we need to apply for a 2026 permit?
- Yes. A 2026 permit will be required to access the Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access gate next year. Please check back here at the end of the year for the application.
