**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
Monitor weather reports before your park visit!
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[HAWAI\'I] - UPDATE 6/17/25: West Hawai’i Island Parks to Close Early on 4th of July Holiday. To prevent unauthorized use of fireworks on the 4th of July, and the potential for wildfire, three west side parks will close early on that day. Park visitors must exit these dry, leeward parks by 5pm, when the gates will be locked. The parks affected include Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area, including Waialea Beach section, Kīholo State Park Reserve, and Kekaha Kai State Park (both the Mahaiʻula and Maniniʻōwali sections). The public is reminded that fireworks are prohibited at all times, in all Hawaiʻi State Parks.
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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 6/16/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to continued renovation work, the pavilion closure has been extended from June 1 to July 31. The Pala’au Camping Area has been CLOSED from June 1 to July 31, 2025.
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[MAUI] UPDATED 5/23/25 – Mākena State Park - State Parks is issuing an Invitation for Bids (“IFB”) to qualified parties interested in a Mobile Food Truck Concession Agreement to operate a Mobile Food Truck (“MFT”) Concession at Mākena State Park. More information may be obtained on the following link: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/invitation-for-bid-for-sealed-bid-proposal-to-provide-a-mobile-food-truck-concession-at-makena-state-park-on-maui/.
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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 5/21/25 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM): Updated June Operating Hours - The rockfall mitigation project began January 6, 2025 and will run until September 5, 2025 or upon completion of the construction project at the Kahala Tunnel. Please check the Diamond Head State Monument website for updated park operation hours during this time.
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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.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
| Hours | Daily: 7:00am to 8:00pm |
| Entrance Fee | None |
| Park Brochure |
Description
Site of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1779. Viewing of Hikiau Heiau, a traditional religious site, and the Captain Cook monument at a distance across Kealakekua Bay (4.0 acres).
* Restroom facilities are only found on the Nāpōʻopoʻo section of the park.
Nāpōʻopoʻo
The beach of Nāpōʻopoʻo has boulders deposited by storm surf, covering the sandy shores that once lined the beach. People would use the beach for loading cattle and offloading goods, such as lumber. A wharf was built on the shorelines of Nāpōʻopoʻo in 1894, it was rebuilt with concrete in 1912. In the 1920’s, the steamer Humuʻula docked twice a week with mail, news, and cargo for the nearby communities. * Launching from Nāpōʻopoʻo wharf is prohibited
Hikiau Heiau
Standing on the the shore of Nāpōʻopoʻo, this religious site had various ceremonial structures erected upon the large stacked rock platform. The heiau was restored several times since it was damaged by tsunami and high surf. It remains a sacred site to the Hawaiian people and you are asked not to go onto the heiau.
Visiting Ka’awaloa Flats
In order to access the land at Ka’awaloa Flats (the location of the Captain Cook Monument), visitors have two options:
- Hike from the uplands via the historic Ka’awaloa Trail (please pack out your trash, there are also no restrooms on this trail).
- Take a guided kayak tour through one of the three permitted commercial vendors (see list below).
Transiting the bay by individuals is allowed so long as the vessel has a valid permit (both private and commercial rental vessels). Permitted vessels are prohibited from landing at Ka’awaloa flat, or launching from Napo’opo’o wharf. Visitors DO NOT need to acquire permits when renting a kayak, but must confirm from the vessel owner that the vessel they rent possesses a valid permit for transiting the bay.
Authorized Kayak Tour Companies
The Following Vendors Have Been Issued Permits by the Division of State Parks to Lead Guided Commercial Kayak Tours to the Captain Cook Monument at Ka’awaloa, Kealakekua Bay:
| Adventures in Paradise | 75-5660 Kopiko Street C7-430 Kailua Kona, HI 96740 (808) 447-0080, (888) 210-5365 www.bigislandkayak.com |
| Kona Boys, Inc. | 79-7539 Mamalahoa Highway Kealakekua, HI 96750 (808) 328-1234 www.konaboys.com |
Kealakekua Bay Permits
All vessels are required to obtain a permit from State Parks before transiting the waters of Kealakekua Bay. Vessels including but not limited to kayaks, boats, canoes, stand-up paddle boards, and inflatables. Please see the forms and instructions below for the applications and conditions of use.
*Effective June 1, 2019, Commercial permitted kayaks are required to have State Parks issued decals affixed to both sides of kayak bows. The Commercial Kayak Permit Decal Instructions form should accompany Commercial Permit Applications if applicable.
VESSEL SPECIAL USE PERMIT FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS
The 2023 Vessel Special Use Access application instructions and form(s) are listed below. Make sure the application you submit is current and that all pertinent information is filled-in legibly. Please allow up to 14 days for your application to be processed. Any missing information or required documents will result in a delay of processing the application. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.
To apply for a vessel permit to transit the waters of Kealakekua Bay:
- Download the appropriate application form (Commercial or Non-Commercial) to your computer by clicking the link below.
- Fill it out.
- Save the form on your computer.
- E-mail the completed application form to: [email protected]
Map & Info: Kealakekua Marine Life Conservation District Overview
Map & Info: Regulated Areas Within Kealakekua Bay
PERMITS: 2025 Non-Commercial Application Instructions
PERMITS: 2025 KBSHP Non-Commercial Application
PERMITS: 2025 Commercial Application Instructions
PERMITS: 2025 Commercial Application
These permits only apply to vessels transiting the water and DO NOT authorize any business operation related to soliciting for customers, renting equipment or otherwise promoting a business within the boundaries of Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.
Malama Hawaii-Reefs from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.
Kanu Ko’a Kealakekua Bay Ka’ina, Feb. 25, 2024 from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.
Master Plan Improvements Environmental Impact Statement
Click the link below to download and view a copy of the final Environmental Impact Statement for the Master Plan Improvements at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park. Clicking the link will start a download of the EIS document. Please check your downloads folder to open the file.
Click Here —> Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park Final Environmental Impact Statement
Activities
Facilities
Hazards
Prohibited
Area Weather Forecast
