Park Hours.
Entrance gates of certain parks on O'ahu are closed at nights. The open hours are 7 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. from April 1 to Labor Day, and 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. from the day after Labor Day to March 31.
Aiea Bay State Recreation Area Off Kamehameha Highway (Hwy.) at McGrew Loop near Aloha Stadium, 'Aiea. Along the banks of Pearl Harbor's East Loch, the park offers picnicking opportunities. Views of Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial. The Pearl Harbor bike path passes through the park.
Diamond Head State Monument Off Diamond Head Road Between Makapu'u Avenue and 18th Avenue, Honolulu. Hawai'i's most famous landmark--a large tuff cone which was formed by a short series of explosive eruptions some 100,000 years ago; National Natural Landmark. Picnicking on the crater floor in a landscaped meadow; detachment from the city. Moderate family hike (bring a flashlight) with panoramic view of Honolulu; trail 0.7 mile one-way and with some hazards. Viewpoint of Kahala plain. Park gate open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
475.0 acres
Hanauma Bay State Underwater Park At Hanauma Bay Beach Park, 0.3 miles east of Hawaii Kai off Kalaniana'ole Highway (Highway 72). Observation of reef fishes and corals through snorkeling or SCUBA diving; good area for novices. Swimming. Adjoining land area is a City and County beach park. Interpretive kiosk in beach park pavilion. Taking of any marine plant or animal life is prohibited.
101.0 acres
He'eia State Park 46-465 Kamehameha Highway (Highway 836) at Kealohi Point, He'eia. Coastal site with picnicking and good views of Kane'ohe Bay and He'eia Fishpond. Weekend party hall rental--contact the Friends of He'eia State Park at 247-3156.
18.5 acres
'Iolani Palace State Monument Corner of South King Street and Richards Street, downtown Honolulu. Royal Palace of the Hawaiian Monarchy. Officially dedicated in 1882, 'Iolani Palace served as the setting for the monarchs and their courts on formal occasions. Guided tours of the palace interior by advance reservations (fee charged)--call the Friends of 'Iolani Palace at (808) 522-0832; tour hours are 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Landscaped grounds popular for informal lawn picnics and Friday noon band concerts. National Historic Landmark.
11.0 acres
Ka'ena Point State Park End of Farrington Highway (Highway 930), Makua. Relatively remote wild coastline with picnicking opportunities and shore fishing. Large sandy beach at Keawa'ula Bay with board surfing and bodysurfing for experts and swimming only during completely calm conditions in the summer; lifeguard services. Long family hike (2.7 miles one-way) along volcanic coast with tide pools, small natural stone arches and fine views of Makua coastline. Early morning porpoise sightings from point near Kaluakauila stream mouth. Viewing of the large sea cave, Kaneana, legendary home of Nanue the shark man. Hot, dry area with little shade. No drinking water.
778.6 acres
Kahana Valley State Park 52-222 Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), Kahana. Scenic wildland valley. Swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities, picnicking, camping and viewing of Huilua Fishpond at beach area. Hardy family hike (4.9 miles) and fruit picking in lushly vegetated forest; picnicking in coconut grove; pig hunting in public hunting area. Park open during daylight hours.
5,228.7 acres
Kaka'ako Waterfront Park End of Ahui or Ohe Streets off Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. Waterfront park with shore fishing and ocean access for body surfing. Built over a former municipal landfill, the park offers a waterfront promenade, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and observation areas with fine views of Waikiki and Diamond Head.
35.0 acres
Kea'iwa Heiau State Recreation Area End of 'Aiea Heights Drive, 'Aiea Heights, 'Aiea.Forest recreation: picnicking, camping and hardy family hiking (4.8-mile loop trail); rustic facilities. Remains of heiau ho'ola (temple of healing) and specimens of medicinal plants on display.
384.5 acres
Kewalo Basin Off Ala Moana Blvd. at Ward Avenue. Adjacent to Ala Moana Beach Park. Oceanside park near downtown Honolulu with a pedestrian promenade, trellised picnic areas, and outdoor showers.
Kukaniloko Birthstones State Monument
At the intersection of Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 99) and Whitmore Avenue on the north side of Wahiawa. In early Hawai'i, this is where royalty came for the birth of their child to assure high-ranking status. The site consists of numerous stones within a grove of eucalyptus and coconut trees surrounded by pineapple fields.
5.0 acres
La'ie Point State Wayside Off Kamehameha Highway (Hwy. 83) at La'ie town via Anemoku Street to end of Naupaka Street. Scenic views of offshore sea arch and seabird sanctuary island. Good shore fishing from sea cliffs at the point.
Makapu'u Point State Wayside Off Kalaniana'ole Highway (Hwy. 72) from either Waimanalo or Hawai'i Kai. A 1-mile hike (one-way) along the former roadway to the lighthouse. At various points there are sweeping views of the southeastern O'ahu coastline - whales may be visible. Uphill climb to 500-foot elevation under hot, dry, and windy conditions. No drinking water or restrooms available.
38.2 acres
Malaekahana State Recreation Area Off Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), Malaekahana Beach: Kalanai Point Section 0.6 mile north of La'ie town; Kahuku Section 1.3 miles north of La'ie town. Wooded beach park with swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities and shore fishing. Picnicking and camping a Kalanai Point Section. Picnicking, lodging and fee camping at Kahuku section--call 293-1736 for lodging and camping reservations.
110.0 acres
Nu'uanu Pali State Wayside Nu'uanu Pali summit from marked access road off Pali Highway (Highway 61). Impressive view of windward O'ahu from brink of pali (cliffs) at 1200 feet elevation, Ko'olau Range. Winds are usually so strong that one can lean against the wall of wind.
3.0 acres
Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau State Monument Off Pupukea Homestead Road (Highway 835) from Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83) across from Pupukea fire station. Viewing of O'ahu's largest heiau (place of worship), a low-walled court platform-type temple with two adjoining smaller independent structures. Reputed sacrifice site of Captain George Vancouver's watering party in 1793. National Historic Landmark.
5.7 acres
Pu'u 'Ualaka'a State Wayside Off Round Top Drive off Makiki Street, Honolulu Forested area on a cinder cone close to downtown Honolulu. Lookout provides sweeping view of southern O'ahu from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, including Honolulu and Manoa Valley. Picnic shelters available. Trailhead for 'Ualaka'a Loop Trail (1-mile loop).
50.0 acres
Royal Mausoleum State Monument 2261 Nu'uanu Avenue, Honolulu Burial place of Hawaiian royalty--members of the Kamehameha and Kalakaua Dynasties with their retainers. Information service; guided tours by advance reservations. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday thru Friday and on Memorial Day. Picnicking not allowed.
10.0 acres
Sacred Falls State Park On Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), 1 mile south of Hau'ula town. TRAIL CLOSED INDEFINITELY DUE TO 5/99 LANDSLIDE TRAGEDY.
1,373.9 acres
Sand Island State Recreation Area End of Sand Island Access Road, off Nimitz Highway (Highway 92), Sand Island, Honolulu. Landscaped coastal park with picnicking, camping, pleasure walking, shore fishing and board surfing. Small sand beach. Good view of Honolulu Harbor and attractive sunsets. Boat ramp nearby.
14.0 acres
Ulu Po Heiau State Monument By foot from YMCA parking lot, via Manu-O'o, Manu-Aloha, and Uluoa streets, off Kailua Road (Highway 61), 0.4 mile northeast of Castle Hospital, Kailua. Viewing of the ruins of a large, open platform heiau (place of worship). Fine view of Kawainui marsh.
8.3 acres
Wa'ahila Ridge State Recreation Area End of Ruth Place, via Peter Street from St. Louis Drive off Wai'alae Avenue, St. Louis Heights, Honolulu. Wildland picnicking on a Norfolk Island pine forested ridge. Fine views of Manoa and Palolo valleys. Hardy family hiking in the forest reserve.
49.9 acres
Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area 380 Walker Avenue, off Avocado Street off California Avenue from KamHighway(Highway 80), Wahiawa. Picnicking along the wooded shore of Wahiawa Reservoir. Year-round shore and boat freshwater fishing; fishing restrictions. No swimming or water skiing. Boating only for fishing purposes; boat ramp at the site.
65.9 acres
