Mālaekahana State Recreation Area
Malaekahana Beach

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️ Monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

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[STATEWIDE] 3/9/26 – A potentially severe storm is expected to bring flooding rain, high winds, and thunderstorms to most of the State from Late Tuesday through the weekend.  Multiple park area closures are anticipated.    As of 3/9/26, Kalalau Trail, Nāpali Coast SWP, Kauaʻi is CLOSED until further notice.  Polihale State Park, Kauaʻi is CLOSED until further notice, Kōkeʻe State Park camping will be suspended as of Tuesday, 3/10.  On Oʻahu, Kaʻena Point, Mokulēʻia permitted vehicle access will be suspended as of Tuesday, 3/10.   Please 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: Will REOPEN today. 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 The 2024-2025 Purple decals are no longer valid.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.

Mālaekahana State Recreation Area

[O’AHU] - 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.
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9/10/25: Mālaekahana State Recreation Area-Kahuku Section - State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications/Request for Proposals for parties interested in developing campgrounds. More info: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/announcements/malaekahana-state-recreation-area-rfq-rfp-2026/
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Beginning August 1, 2023, a major improvement project will impact sections of the Kahuku (northern) park section of Mālaekahana SRA. At times throughout the project, which is estimated to last about a year, public access and camping/lodging availability will be affected.

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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
    Camping

    By Permit Only, Friday through Wednesday

    • Residents = $20 Per Night, Per Campsite
    • Non-Residents = $30 Per Night, Per Campsite

    Icon CampingReserve Now

    CAMPING RESERVATION REQUIRED

    NOTICE: Please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.

    Description

    Wooded beach park with swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities and shore fishing. Picnicking and camping are available at Kalanai Point section and Kahuku section.

    Improvements to Mālaekahana Kahuku Section

    UPDATE: 9/10/2025 – State Parks is issuing a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) / Request for Proposals (“RFP”) to qualified applicants interested in developing and operating a commercial campground and public day use beach park on state-owned lands at Mālaekahana State Recreation Area – Kahuku Section, Lāie, Ko’olauloa, Island of O’ahu, Hawai’i, identified by Tax Map Keys: (1) 5-6-001: Parcels 024, 025, 045 to 047, 049, 051, and 053 to 065, inclusive. To be eligible for consideration in this RFQ/RFP process, interested parties must first complete and submit a Notice of Intent form by no later than 4:00 p.m., September 30, 2025, to any of the DLNR State Parks Offices listed below, or by email to State Parks Lead Property Manager Brigida Ayson at [email protected] and/or State Parks Assistant Administrator Alan Carpenter at [email protected].

     

    Notice of Intent Form available below:

    NOTICE OF INTENT FORM

    (Hardcopies and electronic submissions are accepted).

     

    The Full RFQ/RFP Packet can be found here:

     

    https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/2025/09/RFQ-RFP-for-Development-and-Operation-of-Commercial-Campground-and-Public-Day-Use-Beach-Park-at-Malaekahana-State-Recreation-Area-2026.pdf

    For inquiries, please contact:

    Brigida Ayson, Lead Property Manager

    Department of Land and Natural Resources

    Division of State Parks

    Office: (808) 587-0289 | Cell: (808) 636-8494

    Email: [email protected]

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    Beginning August 1, 2023, a major improvement project will impact sections of the Kahuku (northern) park section of Mālaekahana SRA. At times throughout the project, which is estimated to last about a year, public access and camping/lodging availability will be affected. We will be issuing a Request For proposal (RFP) for camping management in the coming months. The Kalanai Point (southern) park section will not be impacted by the work.

     

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