Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area
Photo Credit: DUDEK

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

Monitor local surf and weather reports before your park visit.

[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 1/18/25 - Maniniowali/Kua Bay has CLOSED due to high surf.

 

[OʻAHU] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Diamond Head State Monument: Beginning January 6, 2025 to July 25, 2025, or upon completion of construction project, the park will close at 2:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, (excluding weekends and holidays) due to a construction project. The last reservation time slot for Parking and Entry and Entry Only during this time 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. Please check back for updates.

[MAUI] UPDATED 12/16/24 – Mākena State Park - Invitation For Bid For Sealed Bid Proposal To Provide A mobile Food Truck Concession At Mākena State Park on Maui. Any party that may be interested in providing a bid may inspect the concession premises by calling DSP at (808) 587-0505 or contact DLNR-Division of State Parks Property Manager, Ms. E. Keiki Kipapa, by email to [email protected] Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM Hawaii Standard Time (HST) except Federal and State Holidays. See Full IFB: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/files/2024/12/SPM25-010A.pdf

[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. 

Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area

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

Description

Enjoy picnicking along the wooded shore of Wahiawa Reservoir (a.k.a. Lake Wilson). Year-round shore and boat fishing.  Check with the State DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources for applicable fishing restrictions. No swimming or water skiing. Boating is only for fishing purposes. Boat ramp at the park.

History of Past Planning Efforts

The Wahiawa Freshwater Park Master Plan, which laid out the building blocks for development of the current park, was prepared in 1975. Construction of the park was completed in 1978.

To view the master plan report, Click Here —> Wahiawa Fresh Water Park Master Plan

To view images of the current park, Click Here —> Wahiawa FWSRA Images and Overview

In 2019, the University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center (UHCDC) completed the Lake Wilson: Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area Study and Proof‐of‐Concept Design Report. UHCDC has played an instrumental role in informing preliminary discussions about the park’s future and increasing community awareness about the potential for Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area. Innovative ideas for the redesign of the park envisioned comprehensive redevelopment across the property, with a fishing lodge for overnight accommodations, 750-seat outdoor amphitheater, disc golf course, piers, and boardwalks for shoreline fishing access, and wetland restoration and drainage improvements to support water quality. Although this report does not represent State Parks’ authorized plans for future park developments, it provides a good framework for community involvement and awareness of the potential for innovations in park improvements.

We would like to acknowledge that UHCDC was the recipient of a 2021 Honor Award in the Research and Communication category from the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the work represented by their 2019 report. A link to view the report is below.

To view the report, Click Here —> UHCDC Conceptual Plan Page

Park Improvements

Improvements are already underway for the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area! Design is in progress for a new 25-stall parking area, new sitting areas and rain shelters, and educational signage highlighting the natural and cultural resources within the park. Construction of this is anticipated to begin in early 2022.

A public planning process to identify additional improvements is also in progress. The outcome of this process will be a conceptual site plan that will be used to prioritize investments in facilities and park management over the next 7-10 years.

To view the Open House information circulated in May 2022 , Click Here —> Virtual Open House LINK

Comments received from the May 2022 open house event are being used to gauge the community’s reactions to the preliminary ideas and provide direction to refine and prioritize future improvements. A draft conceptual site plan is expected to be completed in Summer 2023, with preparation of an environmental assessment in early 2024.

Opportunity for public input on the draft conceptual site plan will follow as part of the environmental review process. This includes future advisory committee meetings and a presentation to the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board during preparation of the environmental assessment.

For questions or additional information, CONTACT: