Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

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

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[MAUI] UPDATED 11/2/24 – Kaumahina State Wayside Park: CLOSED until further notice for maintenance work.

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[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. 

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[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.

Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline

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    Hours

    Summer: 7:00am to 7:45pm

     

    Winter: 7:00am to 6:45pm

     

    Summer Hours Begin on April 1st

    Winter Hours Begin the Day After Labor Day
    Entrance Fee None
    Trail Name

    Description

    A 1-mile hike (one-way) along a paved roadway leads to a lookout atop a headland above the historic Makapuʻu lighthouse (the lighthouse itself is off-limits, but can be viewed from the trail). At various points along the route there are sweeping views of the southeastern O’ahu coastline, and migrating humpback whales may be visible during whale season. No drinking water or restrooms are available.

    Whale Watching

    The Makapuu Lighthouse trail and the lookouts within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline provide great whale watching opportunities in-season. As many as 10,000 humpbacks come to Hawaii every year to mate, give birth and nurse their calves. Hawaii’s humpback whale season runs from November through May, with January through March being the peak whale-watching months.

    Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

    The 2-mile round-trip trail involves an uphill climb to 500-foot elevation under hot, dry, and windy conditions. The surface is paved and is a former access road to the lighthouse. For more information on the Lighthouse Trail click here.

    Makapuu Tide Pools

    The tide pools located at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline commonly referred to as the Makapu’u tide pools are in a CLOSED AREA and considered very dangerous. The area is known to have unpredictable wave surges that have swept people out to sea resulting in a loss of life. Furthermore, the steep and loose trail leading to the tide pools is hazardous to those on it and those below it. Please do not attempt to access the tide pools as you are putting yourself and potentially our rescue workers in jeopardy.

    Yellow-Faced Bee Conservation