Division of State Parks

Hours	Daily 6:00am to 7:00pm
Permitted Gate Vehicle Access	Permit and login required: Permitted Gate Vehicle Access Code
Trail Name	ʻKaʻena Point Trail

Description

Ka‘ena Point State Park is a relatively remote and wild coastline park with hiking, picnicking, and shoreline fishing opportunities.  The park wraps around the northwest corner of the island of Oahu and is composed of two sections: the Ka‘ena Point Mokuleʻia Section (north shore of Oʻahu) and the Ka‘ena Point Keawa’ula Section (west side of Oahu).  Ka‘ena Point State Park is the gateway to Ka‘ena Point Natural Area Reserve at O‘ahu’s most northwestern point.

In the Keawaʻula section, there is a large sandy beach at Keawa’ula Bay with board surfing and body surfing for experts and swimming only during calm conditions in the summer; lifeguard services and a comfort station is available.

In the Mokuleʻia Section, there are several sandy or rocky coves, tide pools, sand dunes, and endangered invertebrate habitats. There are no lifeguards or comfort station. Permitted vehicles utilize marked roads in this section, pedestrians should follow shoreline trail signs.

Learn more about Kaʻena and its resources on the interpretive signs placed throughout the trail. Remember to pack out, what you pack in. Mahalo for helping Hawaii State Parks conserve and protect our valuable natural and cultural resources.

Additional Info

•  The hike to the point from either section is 2.7 miles one-way along a volcanic coast with mountain and ocean views.
• Observe marine mammals, sea birds, native invertebrate, and coastal plants from a distance. NOAA regulation prohibits swimming with, approaching, or remaining within 50 yards of spinner dolphins. Keep a 50ft distance on land and in water for Hawaiian Monk Seals.
• Each section offers stunning geological features; from sand dunes and fossilized reef, to a sea arch and a large sea cave known as Kaneana, the legendary home of Nanaue the shark man.
• Hot and dry area with little shade. Sandy and rocky terrain.
• No drinking water available on either section, no restrooms on the Mokuleʻia section.
• Dogs, drones, camping, and commercial activity is not permitted. Park Rules.

Volunteer Opportunities

In 2018, volunteers contributed 1,749 hours to visitor education, marine debris removal, and ecosystem restoration at Ka‘ena Point State Park.

If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please contact:

Mahalo for helping Hawaii State Parks conserve and protect our valuable natural, cultural, and recreational resources. Aloha

Vehicle Access Special Use Permit

Kaena Vehicle Permit Application Website

2023 Vehicle Permits 

The Vehicle Access Special Use Permit is required to drive a vehicle into Ka‘ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokuleʻia Section, beyond the gate and the paved road that ends at the gravel parking area. Initiated in 2015 primarily as a cultural and natural resources management tool that was generally supported by the community to protect Ka‘ena, this permit system aimed to curtail 20 years of increasing landscape degradation caused by uncontrolled four-wheel drive vehicle use in the reserve. Permit conditions require drivers to remain on a limited number of designated dirt roads and stress that this is not a four-wheel drive recreation area – but that the designated roads are for responsible access for fishing, sightseeing, coastal access and to get to the Natural Area Reserve and the point itself.

Additional Info

• The current decal must be affixed to the rear bumper or a comparable location visible from the rear of the licensed vehicle, and your paper copy of the permit must be in the vehicle. Both are required by permit conditions. 
• The Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit allows vehicles to access designated roads in the permitted section provided on theKP-Designated-Road-Map-2024. During closed park hours, permit holders are ONLY allowed to enter the park from the Dillingham airfield entrance and directly transit through the vehicle access permitted gate at the end of the road. Stopping, standing, or parking in this transit area of the park during closed hours is not permitted.
• Dogs, drones, camping, and ground fires are not permitted, adhere to all park signs, road signs, and Park Rules at all times.
• Violations of the Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permit Special Conditions & Rules may lead to the revocation of the users permit.
• Kaena Vehicle Permit FAQ
• KP-Designated-Road-Map-2024