**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**
⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit.
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[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/17/26
Keawaʻula Beach has been reopened.
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area - Park has reopened but camping is still closed. Tree and debris removal is still in progress.
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[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/16/26
Keawaʻula Beach closed until further notice due to hazardous conditions, including water and sand flowing over road dips. Cleanup operations and concrete barrier relocations are currently in progress to manage the impact.
Sand Island Recreational Area closed until further notice. Tree and debris removal in progress.
Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park closed until further notice. Tree and debris removal in progress
Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site closed until further notice. Silt and debris removal in progress.
Wahiawā Freshwater Recreational Area closed until further notice. Tree and debris removal in progress.
Pu’u Ualaka’a State Wayside closed until further notice. Hazardous tree removal in progress.
Wa’ahila Ridge Recreational Area closed until further notice. Hazardous tree removal in progress.
Mālaekahana State Recreation Area closed until further notice. Tree and debris removal in progress.
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[MAU’I] UPDATE 3/16/26
Waiʻānapanapa State Park closed until further notice. Cabin check-ins scheduled for March 16–21 have been cancelled due to the ongoing power outage and water conservation at the park and safety concerns related to travel on Hana Highway while crews continue clearing debris and landslides. Currently, State DOT is only allowing residents through onto Hana Highway, which further limits access to the park.
ʻĪao Valley State Monument closed until further notice. Access to the State Park is dependent on the entry road through the County of Maui Parks and Rec area, and due to storm damage on the County side, we are currently at the mercy of Maui County Parks regarding road access. This closure may need to remain in place longer depending on the County’s repairs and road conditions.
Mākena State Park open to foot traffic only. The second and third entrances will remain open; however, the first entrance and the Black Sand Beach access will remain closed due to flood damage while crews work to make repairs and clear debris.
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area closed until further notice. Entry road into Forest Reserve needs multiple repairs and may be closed for an extended time.
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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/16/26
The Wailoa River State Recreation Area open. Site cleared of debris.
Wailuku River State Park open. Site cleared of debris.
‘Akaka Falls State Park open. However, trail is temporarily closed while staff is clearing debris from a fallen tree.
Lava Tree State Monument and MacKenzie State Recreation Area closed until further notice. Couty roads closed to this area.
Kalōpā State Recreation Area open. Site cleared of debris.
The Manuka State Wayside Park open. Site cleared of debris.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park open. Site cleared of debris.
Huliheʻe Palace closed until further notice. Inspection of the basement’s condition, including water damage and debris, is currently being completed by an archaeologist.
Kekaha Kai State Park Mahai\\\\\\\'ula Section open.
Kekaha Kai State Park Maniniʻōwali Section closed today 3/16/26. Large tree/branches blocking roadway. Crews are currently on-site conducting removal.
Kiholo Park Reserve closed today 3/16/26. Fallen trees reported in campgrounds #5 and #8, with large branches obstructing the roadway. Hui Aloha Kīholo (HAK) is currently onsite assisting with clearing and removal. Concurrently, the roadway is washed out; SP Staff are onsite with heavy machinery to grade and repair the road
Hāpuna State Recreation Area and Waialea Section closed today 3/16/26. Minor debris cleared by staff. High surf & brown water: Ocean Safety advises keeping beach closed until conditions clear.
Lapakahi State Historical Park open late afternoon of 3/16/26. Trail update: Fallen tree and washouts reported in a low-use area. Staff scheduled for maintenance and removal.
Kohala Historical Sites State Monument no public access. Kukuipahu Road is closed due to severe mud. Staff will survey the area once conditions dry. Access to Kamehameha Birthsite and Mo’okini Heiau remains open.
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[KAUAʻI] UPDATE 3/16/26 - Polihale State Park closed until further notice due to mud and debris removal. Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site closed for construction. Kōkeʻe State Park, Waimea Canyon State Park, and Wailua River State Park is open. Hāʻena State Park - Day use and overnight campers allowed to enter for the day. Overnight campers not allowed to go past Hanakapiai Valley, only to Hanakapiai Falls. A sign will be posted on the trail after Hanakapiai beach heading to Kalalau. This will be until we survey the trail on Wednesday 3/18. Another notification will be sent after the assessment.
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[STATEWIDE] UPDATE 3/12/26 – All State Parks and Recreation Areas on all Islands, as well as State Park Offices, will be closed as of Friday, 3/13 through at least Sunday 3/15, for public safety. A severe storm is expected to bring flooding rain, high winds, and thunderstorms to most of the State from through the weekend. Please check weather reports and check back frequently for storm closure updates.
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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATE 3/5/26 – ʻAKAKA FALLS STATE PARK: Dept. of Water Supply shut off water in the area until further notice affecting the park.
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[O‘AHU] UPDATE 3/4/26 - KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION, VEHICLE ACCESS GATE [UPDATE 3/12 - temporarily closed due to storm]. You need the 2026 Gold decal adhered to the rear of your vehicle to enter the park, the accompanying permit account provides access to the gate combination online. The 2024-2025 Purple decals are no longer valid. Apply for a 2026 Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit here. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant. We are experiencing significant delays in processing, we appreciate your continued patience. Vehicle access dirt road repairs are occurring to stabilize severe erosion, and armor problem areas with aggregate to reduce erosion and puddling, and improve road stability.
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[KAUAʻI, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI] 2/10/26 – Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi), Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park (Oʻahu), Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Hawaiʻi): All commercial kayak operators must apply for a Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application, each kayak vessel requires a registered decal. Visit State Parks Permits page here and download and mail in the Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application.
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[ALL ISLANDS] UPDATE – 12/12/25: Camping - Reservations for February 1, 2026 and beyond available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov, please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.
Boating Nāpali
Other than hiking the coast, the only way to legally access shore areas in Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park is by boat. Personal or rented kayaks and guided kayak tours may land at two permitted areas, and motorized raft tours take passengers on shore at Nu’alolo Kai. These zodiac tours enjoy a scenic view of the coast, with snorkeling, lunch and guided tour through an archaeological complex.
One of the nicest ways to see Nāpali Coast is by paddling down the coast. This activity is permitted only during the summer months, between May 15 and September 7. Unpredictable sea conditions make it potentially unsafe during the remainder of the year. The most popular way to travel by kayak is to start from the Ha’ena (eastern) end of the coast and pull out at Polihale Beach, on the western end of the coast. This takes advantage of the prevailing currents and trade winds.
If you choose to travel down the coast by kayak, you should be prepared and take the proper precautions. Start early in the morning when winds and seas are calmer. Bring a sufficient quantity of water – one can easily become dehydrated in the hot sun. Wear appropriate gear. You should be in excellent physical condition, a strong swimmer, and have some experience with a kayak before attempting the trip. Those prone to seasickness should take preventative measures or consider hiking the trail instead.
Do not attempt a kayak trip if there are large waves. Taking off and landing can be very tricky in even small surf. The light kayaks are easily capsized in “shorebreak”, waves which form up and break close to shore. Large swells rarely last in the summertime. Delaying your trip by a day to wait for smaller surf is a small price to pay to avoid a potential disaster.
There are two legal kayak landing areas along the coast. The first is Kalalau Valley, where landings are allowed with a valid camping permit issued by State Parks. The second legal kayak landing is at Miloli’i. Kayak landings are prohibited at all other beaches in the park, including Hanakapi’ai, Honopu and Nu’alolo Kai.
Kayaking also affords you a camping option not available to hikers. Beyond Kalalau Valley, there are several valleys and offshore reefs. Miloli’i Valley is accessible by boat only, and camping is allowed here during the summer months. Permits are required to stay overnight. However, day use landings are allowed during the summer (May 15 through September 7) without a permit. Miloli’i has a channel through the reef facilitating boat landings on the sand beach.
The Hawaiʻi State Parks Division does not rent kayaks. There are many outfitters on the island of Kauaʻi who provide this service. Some offer guided tours that traverse the entire coast in a day, with a lunch stop at Miloli’i Beach. Camping along the coast without possessing a valid camping permit can lead to confiscation of your vessel, regardless of whether it is your property or a rented boat.
