DLNR, Division of State Parks
P.O. Box 621
Honolulu, HI 96809
(808)587-0300
NAPALI COAST STATE WILDERNESS PARK TO CLOSE CAMPING AREAS DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2010 FOR ROCKFALL MITIGATION
7/7/10 - State Parks will close the majority of the Kalalau Trail and will suspend camping at Hanakoa and Kalalau within Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kaua'i for a rockfall mitigation project. Camping permits will not be issued for the period beginning September 7, 2010 and ending October 31, 2010. The 11-mile Kalalau trail will remain open for day hiking from the trailhead to Hanakapi'ai Valley (2 miles in) during the rockfall project, but will be closed beyond Hanakapi'ai for public safety reasons. THe trail to Hanakapi'ai Falls will also be accessible during this period.
Erosion and rockfalls have been a concern in recent years and to ensure public safety of park users, State Parks will be conducting rock scaling above the Ho'ole'a Waterfall and shoreline sea cave areas at Kalalau Beach.
The camping areas and trail will reopen on November 1, 2010. Camping permits, which are available up to a year in advance, are still being issued from November on. We regret any inconvenience to park visitors.
STATE PARKS ANNOUNCES NEW POLICY FOR KALALAU TRAIL CAMPING PERMITS WITHIN NAPALI COAST STATE WILDERNESS PARK, KAUA'I
5/18/10 - In response to public demand and to promote improved public safety, beginning May 19, 2010, permits for Napali Coast will be issued for Kalalau only, the preferred destination at the end of the 11-mile Kalalau Trail. However, permits for Kalalau will also be valid for camping at Hanakoa, which is located a little beyond the halfway point of the trail, roughly 6 miles in from the trailhead. Permits specifically for Hanakoa will no longer be issued, but hikers are encouraged to stopover and camp at Hanakoa if they possess a valid permit for Kalalau and they feel the need to break up their trek due to such factors as fatigue, inclement weather, or impending darkness.
"We want visitors to be able to enjoy the premiere destination of Kalalau, but offer everyone the option of stopping at Hanakoa if they feel physically unable to make the entire trail in one day, or if conditions may make the full 11-mile trip too hazardous", said Dan Quinn, State Parks Administrator.
This new policy will also take the mystery out of the trip planning process for visitors who are unsure whether they can make the full trail in one clip. This provides the flexibility to stop at Hanakoa or continue on to Kalalau without apprehension regarding the legality of a permit. State Parks recently made permits accessible to the public via the internet, and demand for Kalalau permits has been very high.
Permitted campers are cautioned that the new policy is not a license to camp anywhere along the trail. Hanakoa and Kalalau, which contain facilities to support camping activities, remain the only two authorized areas for camping along the trail. The total number of nights that are allowed for camping in the park is still 5 - so a stopover at Hanakoa, going either direction along the trail, counts as on e of the authorized nights, and therefore reduces the total number of nights permitted at Kalalau.
Previously issued Hanakoa permits remain valid for Hanakoa only, as allowing them to be valid for Kalalau would result in overcrowding.
NEW PROCEDURES FOR THE RELEASE OF ADDITIONAL NAPALI COAST STATE WILDERNESS PARK CAMPING AVAILABILITY FOR SUMMER 2010
4/15/10 -Beginning April 15, 2010, the Division of State Parks (DSP) will begin to incrementally open additional summer camping opportunities within Napali Coast State Wilderness Park.The camping areas with increased capacity include Kalalau and Milolii.A maximum of 5 nights is allowed at Kalalau and 3 nights at Milolii.
To prevent damage to the Ka‘awaloa shoreline and coral reef and accidental destruction of significant historic and cultural sites by large numbers of visitors, DLNR is now requiring visitors to Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park to receive information and guidance regarding sensitive sites and how to assist in preserving the area during their visit. Information will be provided through a simple permit system for people seeking to land vessels along the Ka‘awaloa shoreline or moor at the wharf adjacent to the Captain Cook Monument in the bay. For information on how to obtain a permit, download the application (above, or contact the State Parks office in Hilo at (808) 974-6200.
NA PALI COAST SWP, KAUA'I - MAJOR REPAIRS BEING CONDUCTED ON KALALAU TRAIL Repairs to the first 2 miles of the Kalalau Trail, a popular day hike leading to Hanakapi'ai Valley within Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, are being completed in an effort to improve trail safety. Badly eroded sections are being rehabilitated to remove hazards such as steep dropoffs and narrow sections. The trail is being widened where appropriate to an average width of 4 feet, and a network of shortcuts and "social routes" are being eliminated in favor of a wider single treadway. Hikers may experience delays as particular sections are being worked on. This is for your safety and the safety of the trail workers. We appreciate your understanding as we work to improve public safety along this popular hike.
The nine miles of trail beyond Hanakapi'ai gives access to Kalalau Valley and requires hiking or camping permits. It is recommended only for experienced hikers in excellent physical shape.
LAVA TREE STATE MONUMENT, HAWAi'I CLOSED FOR TREE TRIMMING, REPAVING OF PARKING LOT
8/31/10- HILO – Lava Tree State Monument will be closed from Wednesday, September 1, 2010 for public safety, due to scheduled tree trimming around the parking lot area, followed by reconstruction of the park entry road and parking lot, including ADA parking stalls, and repaving and striping. The project is scheduled for completion by mid-December, or sooner, depending on weather. DLNR Division of State Parks appreciates the public’s understanding during this temporary closure to improve these park features.
Future park improvement phases -- not yet scheduled -- will address the repaving of the walkways, rebuilding of the pavilion, installation of an informational kiosk, construction of a covered rest station and renovation of the comfort station.
NEW ONLINE PERMITTING SYSTEM NOW AVAILABLE
UPDATE 3/22/10- PERMITS ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE. Click on the "Online Reservations" button at left of page to access the new system. The system, created by Ehawaii.gov, requires users to set up an account prior to purchasing permits. There is no fee for creating an account, which will allow users to purchase permits for camping and lodging at any time in the future. Purchasing of permits requires a valid credit card.
Hawai‘i’s Division of State Parks (DSP) is pleased to announce our transition to a new and vastly improved camping and cabin permitting system! For full details, click here.
STATE PARKS OFFICES CLOSED ON SELECTED DATES DUE TO IMPLEMENTATION OF STATEWIDE FURLOUGH PLAN
07/01/10 - HONOLULU. Due to the implementation of furlough days for Parks administrative staff, State Parks District offices will be closed two days per month. For the second half of calendar year 2010, the offices will be closed on the following dates: July 16, 23; August 6, 27; September 17, 24; October 8,29; November 19,26; December 10, 17. Until further notice, all State Parks will remain open on furlough dates.
NA PALI COAST, KAUA'I - SELECTED CAMPING AREAS AT KALALAU BEACH CLOSED DUE TO ROCKFALL HAZARD
A portion of the Kalalau campground in the Na Pali Coast State Wilderness Park will be closed beginning April 2008, to protect park users from potential rockfall hazards in this area. The camping area closure is based upon an evaluation done by geotechnical consulting firm Earth Tech of high hazard rockfall areas that could affect the camping area near the waterfall. Campers will be accommodated in the rest of the campground. Returning campers should be aware that some sites they formerly enjoyed are now unsafe and off-limits.
Rockfall warning and area closed signs have been posted in the Kalalau trail segment between the self-composting toilet facility and Ho'ole'a Waterfall. The closure affects approximately16 formerly popular campsites along the trail and areas mauka (to the mountain side) of the trail.
The toilet facility remains open via an alternate access route.
