DLNR News Release – KŌKEʻE AND WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARKS TO REOPEN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

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. KANAKAʻOLE

CHAIRPERSON

KA LUNA HOʻOKELE

DAVID D. DAY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

KA HOPE LUNA HOʻOKELE

KŌKEʻE AND WAIMEA CANYON STATE PARKS REOPEN ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 8, 2026

LĪHUʻE, Kauaʻi - Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks, located in Kauaʻi's central uplands, reopened at 6 a.m. on Saturday, November 7. All state parks, lookouts and comfort stations between Waimea Canyon lookout and Pihea are now open. Reduced services should be expected, as popular visitor amenities such as the Kōkeʻe Lodge Restaurant and the Kōkeʻe Museum will not reopen until next week at the earliest.

The following trails are also now open:

• Nuʻalolo Trail
• Awaʻawapuhi Trail (open to the first mile marker)
• Waimea Canyon Trail
• lliau Nature Loop
• Pihea Trail

On September 7, Hurricane Lowell battered many areas throughout state parks and forest reserves, leaving roads blocked, power poles snapped, power lines down and the parks' water system inoperable. In the immediate aftermath, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) parks and forestry staff began recovery work. They cleared downed trees and opened arteries for contractors and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative personnel to assess damage and conduct rapid infrastructure repairs so the popular Kōkeʻe and Waimea Canyon State Parks could be reopened.

"The amount of devastation to the forest landscape and our parks was shocking to see," said DLNR State Parks Administrator Alan Carpenter. "Yet, equally impressive was the amazing recovery effort made by our staff, working tirelessly dawn 'til dusk, freeing trapped tenants and visitors and reopening roads so contractors could follow up with major repairs to the electrical grid. This was truly a kākou affair."

An estimated 50 percent of the historic recreational cabins were damaged, ranging from moderate impacts to complete loss. Public facilities such as the 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp in Kōkeʻe State Park also suffered significant storm damage. Parks staff, along with the leaseholder community, continue to work on damage assessments and evaluate strategies to conduct short and long-term repairs to this cherished mountain park community.

DLNR's Division of State Parks is resuming planned upgrades to the Kōkeʻe campground and it will remain closed.

All Kauaʻi state forestry lands and features are ready to open except for:

• Hunting Units: A, L - Closed
• Puʻu Ka Pele Forest Reserve (Western Ridge Section): including Makaha Pine Forest Drive, West Ridge Roads and Contour Road - Closed
• Campgrounds: Wiliwili, Kauluhaulu, Hipalau, Lonomea, Waialae - Closed

The following trails remain closed:

• Kohua Ridge - Closed
• Poʻomau Canyon - Closed
• Kawaikoi Stream - Closed
• Kukui from 1.75 down to the river - Closed
• Kuilau - Closed
• Kuamoʻo Bridge - Closed
• Okolehau - Closed

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