Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline
Photo Credit: Sean Newsome

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️ Always monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

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[KAUAʻI] 3/24/26

Polihale State Park and camping is CLOSED until further notice due to mud and debris removal.

Kalalau trail OPENED. 

Pāʻulaʻula State Historic Site: CLOSED for construction.

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[O’AHU] UPDATE 3/23/26

Kaʻena Point State Park, Mākua-Keawaʻula Section: CLOSED due to flooding and collapsed road on Farrington Highway.

Kaʻena Point State Park, Mokulēʻia Section: CLOSED due to saturated and eroded roads.

Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area: OPEN, boat ramp CLOSED due to maintenance.

Ahupuaʻa O Kahana State Park: CLOSED due to storm debris.

Puʻu o Mahuka Heiau Historical Site CLOSED due to cleanup.

Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area: CLOSED due to tree trimming.

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[MAU’I] UPDATE 3/23/26

Waiʻānapanapa State Park : Waiʻānapanapa State Park remains CLOSED to parking, park entry, tent camping, camper van camping and all cabin reservations from Monday, March 23 through Sunday, March 29, 2026.

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area: Polipoli cabins and camping areas are CLOSED until further notice for road clearing.

Iao Valley State Monument: CLOSED until March 30, tentative date to re-open on March 31st.

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[MOLOKAʻI] 3/23/26

Palaʻau State Wayside and camping areas CLOSED for renovations until May 4.

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[HAWAI’I] UPDATE 3/23/26

Kiholo State Park Reserve: Road CLOSED to vehicles due to erosion until further notice, pedestrian access remains opened. Camping remains CLOSED.

Lapakahi State Historical Park: CLOSED until further notice due to unsafe trails and water bars.

Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline

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    Hours

    Summer: 7:00am to 7:45pm

     

    Winter: 7:00am to 6:45pm

     

    Summer Hours Begin on April 1st

    Winter Hours Begin the Day After Labor Day
    Entrance Fee None
    Trail Name

    Description

    A 1-mile hike (one-way) along a paved roadway leads to a lookout atop a headland above the historic Makapuʻu lighthouse (the lighthouse itself is off-limits, but can be viewed from the trail). At various points along the route there are sweeping views of the southeastern O’ahu coastline, and migrating humpback whales may be visible during whale season. No drinking water or restrooms are available.

    Whale Watching

    The Makapuu Lighthouse trail and the lookouts within Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline provide great whale watching opportunities in-season. As many as 10,000 humpbacks come to Hawaii every year to mate, give birth and nurse their calves. Hawaii’s humpback whale season runs from November through May, with January through March being the peak whale-watching months.

    Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail

    The 2-mile round-trip trail involves an uphill climb to 500-foot elevation under hot, dry, and windy conditions. The surface is paved and is a former access road to the lighthouse. For more information on the Lighthouse Trail click here.

    Makapuu Tide Pools

    The tide pools located at Kaiwi State Scenic Shoreline commonly referred to as the Makapu’u tide pools are in a CLOSED AREA and considered very dangerous. The area is known to have unpredictable wave surges that have swept people out to sea resulting in a loss of life. Furthermore, the steep and loose trail leading to the tide pools is hazardous to those on it and those below it. Please do not attempt to access the tide pools as you are putting yourself and potentially our rescue workers in jeopardy.

    Yellow-Faced Bee Conservation