Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Hikiau Heiau

Covid-19 Protocols: Please wear a mask when in groups, maintain social distancing, and be respectful of others. Aloha, Hawaii State Parks

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PARK UPDATES: 7/19/21 - [HAWAII] Wailoa River State Recreation Area will be CLOSED Thursday July 22 through Saturday July 24 to allow for improvement projects including installation of dry wells, a water bottle filling station and repaving.

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5/21/21 - [OAHU] - The Keawaula gate at Kaena Point is now open on weekends. Gate hours are Saturdays: 6:00am to 7:00pm, and Sundays: 9:00am to 7:00pm. No overnight use allowed.

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4/19/21 - [ALL ISLANDS] - Entrance AND parking fees are now required for non-residents at several parks across the islands including: [KAUAI] Haena, Kokee, Waimea Canyon, [OAHU] Diamond Head, Nuuanu Pali, [MAUI] Iao Valley, Makena, Waianapanapa, and [HAWAII] Akaka Falls, Hapuna Beach.  Non-resident visitors will be required to pay for both entry and parking.

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3/29/21 - [KAUAI] - The Kalalau Trail reservation system is open again. Reservations are available 30-days in-advance. Park Entry and Parking reservations for morning and midday are available. Sunset-time reservations are currently not available.

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3/1/21 - [MAUI] - Waianapanapa State Park - Entry and Parking Reservations are now required for all non-residents. For reservations go to www.gowaianapanapa.com

Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park

UPDATE - 9/30/20: Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park will be OPEN starting Oct. 1, 2020.

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    Hours Daily During Daylight Hours
    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)

    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:

    1. Hike from the uplands via the historic Ka’awaloa Trail.
    2. 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
    Aloha Kayak Co.82-5674 Kahau Pl
    Captain Cook, HI 96704
    (808) 322-2868
    www.alohakayak.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 2021 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:

    1. Download the appropriate application form (Commercial or Non-Commercial) to your computer by clicking the link below.
    2. Fill it out.
    3. Save the form on your computer.
    4. E-mail the completed application form to: [email protected]

     

    MAP:  Kealakekua Marine Life Conservation District Overview

    MAP:  Regulated Areas Within Kealakeakua Bay

    PERMITS:  2021 Non-Commercial Application Instructions

    PERMITS:  2021 Non-Commercial Application

    PERMITS:  2021 Commercial Application Instructions

    PERMITS:  2021 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.

    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