Dive Access ·
Hāʻena State Park Reopens, Restoring Reserved Access to Kēʻē’s Reef
The Kauaʻi park reopened October 15 after more than five weeks of storm recovery, but nonresident entry and parking still require advance reservations and most other state parks on the island remain closed.
Hāʻena State Park reopened to the public on October 15, 2026, restoring controlled access to Kēʻē Beach and its nearshore reef after an extended storm closure.
Hawaiʻi’s Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the park on September 6 as Hurricane Lowell approached, then kept it closed for hazard assessments, damaged-tree removal and repairs. The reopening restores daily public access from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and the Hāʻena shuttle resumed service on the same date.
The change matters for divers, snorkelers and other ocean users because the park provides the controlled land-access point for Kēʻē Beach. The state park lists snorkeling and swimming among its supported activities, while Hawaiʻi’s official visitor guidance identifies the reef off Kēʻē Beach as a North Shore snorkeling location. The reopening does not guarantee safe water conditions or the availability of a guided scuba operation; visitors still need to evaluate surf, currents and local warnings.
Access remains managed. Hawaiʻi residents with a state driver’s license or state identification enter without a day-use reservation, and 30 parking spaces are reserved for residents. Out-of-state visitors should reserve entry, parking or shuttle access through Go Hāʻena. The state lists a $5 per-person entrance fee for nonresidents, with children age three and younger admitted free, and a $10 nonresident parking reservation fee.
This is a partial recovery update, not a reopening of every Kauaʻi state park. Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks remain closed because of extensive damage, and DLNR said all other Kauaʻi state parks not specifically identified in its notice remained closed to visitation and camping. At Hāʻena, overnight camping and hiking beyond the two-mile point on the Kalalau Trail also remain closed until further notice.
Divers planning North Shore shore entries should confirm the exact access point, reservation requirements and same-day ocean conditions before transporting equipment to the park. A park entry reservation does not replace operator confirmation, site-specific judgment or compliance with lifeguard and closure instructions.
Reporting record