There are certain places in Hawaii where visitors are no longer welcome without significant advance planning. That is due to the need to protect these areas following years of over-tourism. The issue returned to the news recently because Kauai visitors are simply unaware of or are not heeding Haena State Park rules. Here are tips on planning ahead and being greeted with Aloha at three of our most popular parks.
1. Diamond Head State Park, Oahu.
Tips: Reserve up to 30 days in advance at https://gostateparks.hawaii.gov/diamondhead. The earlier, the better. Hikers arriving on foot must also have reservations. If you are willing to hike at times other than the most popular morning times, like afternoons (bring sunscreen), those reservation times may be somewhat easier to come by. Commercial tour and trolley patrons also need reservations.
Reservations are required for all visitors from out-of-state at Diamond Head State Park. This went into effect in May 2022 at what is one of Hawaii’s most famous landmarks. It is the third Hawaii state park that requires reservations. Hawaii residents can access the park at any time without reservations on a space-available basis.
State DLNR said, “the new reservation system is intended to reduce hiker congestion along the narrow and winding trail to the summit, reduce the load on the comfort station and reduce vehicle congestion entering and exiting the sole access tunnel at Diamond Head.” Parking became a bad problem, as did trail crowding and damage. So reservations became necessary.
2. Haena State Park, Kauai.
Tips: Reservations open 30 days in advance and go quickly. Go to https://gohaena.com. If parking is not available, you may be able to score a shuttle reservation. Residents with Hawaii state ID can access the park for day use without reservations. If residents bring out-of-state guests, they will need to have reservations for the park.
The Kauai Visitor Bureau said this week that hundreds of cars arrive at the park daily, only to be turned away for lack of reservations. It has been three years since the requirement was added, largely due to damage to the environment and the lack of parking.
3. Waianapanapa State Park, Maui.
Tips: Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance and no later than the day before your visit. Getting to the park found along the Hana Highway is a multi-hour adventure. Reserve at https://www.gowaianapanapa.com/.
Advance reservations have been required since 2021. That is true for both vehicles as well as walk-in entry. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance and no later than the day before your visit. Hawaii residents are exempt from both the fee and reservation requirements with proof of residency. When residents bring visitors, those visitors are still required to pay. The state DLNR said the systems “improved the quality of visitor experiences and have reduced impacts on adjacent communities and resources.”
Hawaii state park reservations and fees are coming to more parks.
The Hawaii state parks administrator said earlier this year that “We envision being able to modify this system for additional parks. The key element to crafting a reservation system, based on optimal capacity management, and improving the quality of experience, is to work closely with our parking vendors at park units where fee collection is already happening.”
Governor Ige confirmed that “the reservation system is an important part of the destination management action plan. We want to reduce the impact of visitors and really ensure that our residents have access to these desirable places. We can control the numbers of people who visit a particular place so they can more easily be spread out across the day.”
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N S says
This is slimey. As a teachers, my wife and I haven’t been able to save for our daughters college fund, eat at restaurants, or even own 2 cars. But now that we’re able to with our hosted rental, the political arm of the hotel industry wants to take it from us. It’s shameful.
Cynthia C says
I think it’s a great idea that we pay for the parking and the site fee. The residents should not have to pay. I have come to the different islands about 10 times. they are beautiful and need to stay that way. Mahalo
Steve G says
Road signs explaining park entrance requirements would be helpful for potential park visitors.
Dan M says
As a frequent visitor to Hawaii for the past 30+ yrs, the growing trend of ‘us vs them’ mentality makes me very sad as it is the complete opposite of what makes Hawaii so special. Having visited multiple islands over the years, from Tahiti to St. Thomas, the one differentiator that keeps us coming back to Hawaii is the people and the true feeling of Aloha. Most islands have beautiful beaches, palm trees, etc., but ‘Aloha’ is found in only one place and sadly, it appears to be on life support, at best. Those who are in charge of keeping the Aloha spirit alive are failing miserably… which is to say that each of us who love Hawaii need to put our differences aside and preserve the Aloha spirit while we still can – otherwise, all is lost…
Trudy C says
Your observation is spot on about putting differences aside and getting past the us versus them. While the term aloha is specific to the Hawaiian Islands, “One Love” is alive and well in the Caribbean Islands. You will feel the genuine welcoming spirit from locals and businesses alike.
Michael says
Dan,
You are spot on and my thoughts run down that same road. Just hope that it’s not already too late. Local whispering is not promising.
Laura J says
I am so saddened by the tourists’ destruction of the reefs and marine life at Hookena. The fish are a 4th of what they were 10 years ago. The reef is dying. You can see drifts of sunscreen under the water and along the reefs. On any given day there are 60+ tourists on the beach and I have counted 35 tourists chasing the dolphins. They have no respect for the amakua. They sit on it, kids are throwing sandballs at it. There is no room for the locals. Hookena should not be a tourist attraction. Please require permits for tourists or close the beaches to tourism until they can recover and survive dor future generations. If we don’t they will be lost forever.
Matt says
live a few miles from Ho’okena and visit a few times per month. Not to say visitors don’t have an impact, but I have watched locals overfishing (line and spear) this area for years. Every time I dive or snorkel there I am leaving the water with my trunk pockets full of lead fishing weights, discarded line and spark-plugs used as fishing weights.
Tourists are a convenient scapegoat for a lot of the ills the island is experiencing, but there’s plenty of blame to go around.
Vanessa K says
I agree but putting permits in place sadly will not change the type of tourist nor their actions. They should really spend the & on education and limiting numbers. It’s all about $ for the state and these measures do not make any difference to the impact sadly
Marc .s says
Waikiki is like a beach in Central Square NY. It was a very bad experience of overcrowding, crime, homelessness, and the constant smell of human waste. It’s amazing what people will tolerate for 85°, sunshine, and a sand beach.
MichaelB says
Strange. I’ve just returned from my stay at the Hale Koa on the beach and never saw any of these complaints. We had a wonderful experience. Maybe the end of Waikiki I stayed at is different from the opposite end where you were? I don’t know because I didn’t go to that section of Waikiki.
Brett M says
Looks like Hawaii isn’t welcoming visitors at all anymore. Time to find other vacation locations.
J.S. says
Yes please do. It seems like this is not the place for you sorry
Chris R says
J.S. Your comment epitomizes the attitude visitors are feeling.
Win j says
No a reservation system was not needed just charge a fair admission rate to support the park operations, and there should not be a discrimination based on proving residence. And the idea that welcome or aloha depends on getting online reservations is just ridiculous.
Terry L. says
Aloha, Good for you for implementing these changes. I have visited 4 islands – a dozen times and look forward to our upcoming winter visit in December, when we will visit both Oahu and Hawaii. As a traveler, both my husband and I view ourselves as quests in your “home”. And treat your “home” with care and respect.
Mahalo
Roger says
lived and worked on all the islands from 1975 till 2005. Finaly it just got too congested everywhere. Turned into a beautiful but expensive theme park. Moved away from the best friends I’ll ever have. Was time to move on, i did.
Paula says
Thank you for the interesting article…
I think reservations are a good idea as long as visitors are aware of the policy in advance, the islands rely on tourism for revenue so it’s probably not a good long term plan to offend your visitors by making them feel unwelcome as there are many other destinations that would gladly accommodate paying visitors!
Sherrie A says
You need reservations at many National Parks across the nation
Ranata J says
Are reservations needed for waihee trail on maui?
Kathleen B says
I feel this is a good change to make….protect the Parks…..from travelers who might not care for the Park like they should when visiting. I have visited many there myself with my Son who resides there but I have always taken care to respect the freedom to visit.
Marc E. says
I agree with this , the Islands are frankly, just way overcrowded with tourism. There are more tourists on maui than residents. The resources including Hospitals can barely keep up.
Sue B says
Hawaii is now off my list of places to visit.
Walter L. says
I lived and worked on Oahu and Hawaii Island for 20 years. We left 6 years ago to work on Washington State and miss my Ohana very much. Most of the states I’ve lived on have features that attract tourists and at times I have found living a normal life with tourists who don’t respect the people that live where they are visiting. In Seattle they ride these electric scooters at high speeds on the streets and sidewalks. Going to Mt. Rainer is quite a daunting trip in the summer. Respect for where you are is crucial for an enriching experience. When respect is lacking, behavior controls result.
Judy says
This is the United States. They are going to charge a fee to go there. This is probably unconstitutional. These fees are ridiculous and are being implemented to discourage tourists. I hope money from the federal government gets cut then. I lived there for 8 years and it is not a friendly place.
Win j says
Annexed by force, Hawaii’s government was overthrown and has been continuously occupied by the United States military since 1893 but never experienced a fair vote on joining the USA. And no, the constitution does not guarantee free admission to parks, you might want to actually read it.
Marc s says
Agreed! Hawaii should be given back to the Hawaiian people, let them control how they want there rightful country to operate.
Aloha to the people of Hawaii
Sherrie A says
They charge for every National Park in our country what is the difference and many state parks across the country.
Alisa says
It’s not the charge that’s unwelcome but the reservations system that is nearly impossible to use. The tight scheduling that is required to use the reservation makes visiting or hiking more stressful than relaxing/enjoyable. If a day pass was all that was required I would have absolutely no issue paying for that.
Dayna B. says
I completely understand where the state of Hawaii and the natives are coming from. I have visited Hawaii several times over the last 40 years and have seen an increase in tourism. I live in Southern California and we have experienced the same overcrowding here. It is difficult to enjoy our local attractions like beaches, state parks, and even places like Disneyland. What used to be fun is now overrun by tourists. It’s difficult to find parking ect. We came to Maui over Christmas last year and made our reservations for Sunrise at Haleakala and it was nice. All they are asking is to plan. Nothing wrong with that. You make reservations for your hotel, car, flight, and restaurants, respect the Hawaiian people, and land and plan ahead.