Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area
Photo Credit: Kelvin Lu
Waahila trail

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor weather reports before your park visit!

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[MAUI] - UPDATE 5/12/25: Puaʻa kaʻa Wayside and Restrooms has REOPENED.

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[MOLOKA’I] - UPDATE 3/24/25: Pala’au State Park Pavilion: Due to demolition and renovation work, the pavilion will be closed from March 25 to May 31.

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[KAUAʻI] - UPDATE 3/21/25: Pā‘ula‘ula State Historic Site - Due to construction improvements, the park closure will begin starting March 24 until further notice.

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[OʻAHU] UPDATED 3/18/25 – Diamond Head State Monument (DHSM): Partial Park Closures Hours with operating hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM will occur from April 21 onwards Monday through Friday, (except holidays).  Normal Park Hours from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM will resume on Weekends and Holidays. During Partial Park Closures Hours from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only will be 12:00 p.m. If you reserved at 12:00 p.m., you must enter the Park no later than 12:30 p.m. or you will be denied entry. The project began January 6, 2025, and will run until July 25, 2025, upon completion of the rock fall mitigation construction project at the Kahala Tunnel. Please check back for updates.

Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area

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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 Names

    Description

    Wildland picnicking on a Norfolk Island pine forested ridge with fine views of Manoa and Palolo valleys. Enjoy hardy family hiking in the forest reserve.

    While dogs are not allowed in the park, they may traverse the park while leashed to access the Waʻahila Ridge Trail.

    HELP HAWAII FIGHT RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH (ROD)

    ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha), the most abundant native tree in the state of Hawaiʻi, are dying from a new fungal disease. On Hawaiʻi Island, and currently spreading to other islands, hundreds of thousands of ʻōhiʻa have already died from this fungus, called Ceratocystis. Healthy trees appear to die within a few days to a few weeks, which is how the disease came to be called “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.” This disease has killed trees in all districts of Hawaiʻi Island and has the potential to kill ʻōhiʻa trees statewide. – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), University of Hawaii at Manoa. There is no effective treatment to protect ʻōhiʻa trees from becoming infected with Ceratocystis or cure for trees that exhibit symptoms of the disease. Therefore, we have an important role to help prevent the further spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. There are 5 simple things we can all do to help in this effort:

    1) Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts. If you don’t know where the ʻōhiʻa material is from, don’t move it.

    2) Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island. Follow the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture quarantine rule and don’t move ʻōhiʻa off of the Island of Hawaiʻi.

    3) Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Wounds serve as entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will become infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment wherever possible.

    4) Clean gear and tools, including shoes and clothes, before and after entering forests. Brush all soil off of tools and gear, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Wash clothes with hot water and soap.

    5) Wash your vehicle with a high pressure-hose or washer if you’ve been off-roading or have picked up mud from driving. Clean all soil off of tires and vehicle undercarriage. 

    For more information on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death please see the videos and outreach material below.

    More Videos of ROD.

    ROD Brochure Hawai‘i Island Dec 2018 4-Panel