DLNR News Release – HĀ‘ENA STATE PARK REOPENING OCTOBER 15, 2026, Oct. 13, 2026

What this means

Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources announced that Hā‘ena State Park will reopen October 15 following its September 6 storm closure and subsequent hazard checks and repairs. The park will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., with shuttle service restarting and day hiking reopening; overnight camping and the Kalalau Trail beyond two miles remain closed. Hawaiʻi residents with state identification may enter free without day-pass reservations, while nonresidents need reservations and pay $5 admission per person and $10 per vehicle for parking, with free admission for children age three and younger. The release also retains restrictions at Wailua River and other Kauaʻi state parks and says storm-closure refunds should take two to three weeks.

Official release

Source material from Hawaii Governor’s Office. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

DLNR News Release – HĀ‘ENA STATE PARK REOPENING OCTOBER 15, 2026, Oct. 13, 2026

Posted on Oct 13, 2026 in Latest Department News, Main, Newsroom

STATE OF HAWAIʻI

KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

JOSH GREEN, M.D.

GOVERNOR

KE KIAʻĀINA

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

KA ‘OIHANA KUMUWAIWAI ‘ĀINA

RYAN K.P. KANAKA‘OLE

CHAIRPERSON

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

DAVID D. DAY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

HĀ‘ENA STATE PARK REOPENING OCTOBER 15, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Octotber 13, 2026

HĀ‘ENA, Kauaʻi – Hā‘ena State Park will reopen to the public on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The park closed on September 6 out of concern for public safety due to the arrival of Hurricane Lowell. The closure was extended to give park personnel time to conduct hazard assessments and complete repairs.

As of October 15, park hours will be 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. daily, including holidays (unless there is an emergency park closure). Shuttle Service to the park will resume the same day. Day-use hiking to Hanakāpīʻai Beach/Valley and to Hanakapiʻai Falls will be open.

Overnight camping and hiking past the two-mile point along the Kalalau Trail will remain closed until further notice.

“Park staff and our partners Hui Makaʻāinana o Makana and the Hanalei Initiative worked diligently to get this iconic state park and trail back open for public use following this devastating storm,” said Department of Land and Natural Resources State Parks Administrator Alan Carpenter. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to removing downed and damaged trees so visitors can safely return.”

“Many remember the 18-month long closure following the devastating floods of 2018. It’s always a balance between respecting an impacted community and realizing the economic importance of our parks. About 50 local jobs are supported by Hāʻena State Park. This was a careful and collaborative decision with community leaders to reopen at this time,” Carpenter added.

Park access is free to residents with a Hawaiʻi driver’s license or Hawaiʻi state I.D. Residents do not need to make reservations for day passes. Thirty parking stalls are reserved for residents. Everyone in the vehicle must show their Hawaiʻi state ID.

Out-of-state visitors are asked to make reservations on the Go Hāʻena website at:

The out-of-state park entrance fee is $5 per person; children 3 and under get in free. Out-of-state parking reservations are $10 per vehicle.

Update on Kauaʻi State Park Limited Access and Closures

Wailua River State Park:

Fern Grotto Access Restrictions:

No individual kayakers are allowed in the Fern Grotto at this time. This restriction will be strictly enforced to prevent operational conflicts and safety hazards with the larger riverboats.

Smith’s Motor Boat Tours is permitted to access the Fern Grotto landing.

River and Trail Access Limits:

Kayakers will be permitted to utilize the river, the designated landing zone and the trailhead.

Hiking is strictly prohibited past the trailhead until further notice.

Access to Uluwehi Falls (Secret Falls) remains closed.

Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks remain closed until further notice due to extensive damage.

All other Kaua‘i state parks remain closed to visitation and camping.

Check the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of State Parks “Important Park Notices” web page for a list of all park closures and access updates:

Refunds

Refunds will be credited to the accounts of anyone who missed days or overnight camping or lodging due to storm closures. Please allow two to three weeks for refunds to process.

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Release text attributed to Hawaii Governor’s Office. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.