**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.
Education
Welcome Hawaii State Parks’ education and interactive materials page. Here you can find educational videos, info-graphics and all sorts of information about our unique parks throughout the State of Hawaii. We are proud to partner with local volunteer groups and community members to help ensure the protection and preservation of our unique resources.
Water-bottle Filling Stations – Marine Debris Project
Hawaiʻi State Parks Water Bottle Filling Station Project
Marine debris in the Hawaiian Islands is a serious issue. While some shoreline marine debris is carried to the islands through currents, a portion of this marine debris is litter from people who live and visit the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii State Parks sees Hawaii’s environment as unique, diverse, and fragile. Our resources are some of the most endangered in the world. This means Hawaii State Parks must do our part to help sustain Hawaii’s valuable natural and cultural resources. One way to both protect Hawaii’s resources and prevent marine debris, is through the installation of water bottle filling stations within state parks on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. It is proposed that 20 water bottle filling stations be installed within 18 Hawaii State Parks. Existing water fountains allow park visitors to rehydrate during their visit to the park; however, they are not ideal for refilling water bottles during a long visit to a park. Increasing access to water bottle filling stations provides park visitors with an option to efficiently refill their single-use plastic water bottles while in a State Park, deterring the purchase of an additional single-use water bottle, and decreasing the amount of plastics from entering Hawaiʻi’s fragile ecosystems. Protect What You Love and refill with a reusable water bottle in Hawaii State Parks.
Read More on our NOAA blog: Reducing Marine Debris by Increasing Options
Lēʻahi, Diamond Head State Monument Native Wildlife Exhibit
State Parks partnered with students and teachers of Waikīkī Elementary School to develop a new Native Wildlife Exhibit in the crater of Diamond Head State Monument. Students researched native birds and plants, illustrated botanical renderings, and interviewed experts about the history and biota of the park. Explore the Native Wildlife Exhibit here!
Virtually Explore State Parks
Thanks to a collaboration with Google and Hawaiʻi State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks you can now visit many of our State Parks right from your smart phone, tablet, or computer. Check out a trail to see what to expect for your hike, or explore the park with your ʻohana or class!
Experience a Hukilau
Diamond Head Trail Hiker Safety
Erosion at Diamond Head
Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area Storymap
There is more to Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area than just great beaches. Learn about the incredible cultural history and natural resources before you explore the park!
Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline Storymap
One of the best scenic points on Oʻahu could be experienced from the Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline, but many have not experienced the wonders and significance of the less traveled Kaiwi shoreline! Explore this Storymap to experience Kaiwi and learn about it’s significant cultural and natural resources!
