Education
Kahana Valley loi view

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor local surf and weather reports prior to your park visit.

[OʻAHU] UPDATED 12/19/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Keawaʻula Section: Park CLOSED due to anticipated large surf on 12/20/24 through the weekend.

[OʻAHU] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Diamond Head State Monument: Beginning January 6, 2025 to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of construction project, the park will close at 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, (excluding weekends and holidays) due to a construction project. The last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only during this time will be 12:00 p.m. If you reserved at 12:00 p.m., you must enter the Park no later than 12:30 p.m. or you will be denied entry. Please check back for updates.

[MAUI] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Mākena State Park - Invitation For Bid For Sealed Bid Proposal To Provide A mobile Food Truck Concession At Mākena State Park on Maui. Any party that may be interested in providing a bid may inspect the concession premises by calling DSP at (808) 587-0505 or contact DLNR-Division of State Parks Property Manager, Ms. E. Keiki Kipapa, by email to [email protected] Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) except Federal and State Holidays. See Full IFB: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/2024/12/SPM25-010A.pdf

[OʻAHU] UPDATED 11/4/24 – Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokuleʻia Section: The 2024 Kaʻena Point permit and decal is being extended through 2025. You do not need to apply for a new permit now, you will be notified when applications open next year. Take good care of your decal, we cannot replace decals. Please remember to take rubbish bags home, do not leave it a the trash bins. 

[KAUAʻI] UPDATED 11/4/24 – Waimea Canyon State Park/Kōkeʻe State Park: Paving will take place on Waimea Canyon Road leading into Puʻu Hinahina Lookout on Wednesday, November 6 limiting vehicle access into and out of the lookout parking lot from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Pedestrian access will remain open, and vehicles can access the lookout before and after the closure.

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!

Day in the Life of NaPali Coast Park Ranger

Coral Spawning off-shore of State Parks