8/14/26 – CLOSURES OF STATE CAMPING, PARKS, LANDS AND TRAILS DUE TO TROPICAL STORM LALA

CLOSURES OF STATE CAMPING, PARKS, LANDS AND TRAILS
DUE TO TROPICAL STORM LALA

HONOLULU - As Tropical Storm Lala continues its approach, a hurricane warning has gone into effect for Hawaiʻi Island and surrounding waters. Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of residents and visitors, the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) had announced the following closures of camping, parks, lands and trails:

Statewide

All camping and lodging in state parks and on state lands is suspended as of 7 p.m., August 14, 2026 - and at least through the weekend. Notifications have been sent to everyone who received a camping permit.

Refunds will be credited to the accounts of anyone who misses camping nights due to storm closures.

Kauaʻi

Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park: The wilderness park will close at 4 a.m., August 15, 2026, including Kalalau Trail. DLNR staff helicoptered in today and informed campers in Nāpali (Kalalau and Miloliʻi) to hike out in advance of the park closure tomorrow.

Polihale State Park: The park is closed as of 1 p.m., today, August 14, 2026. DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement (DOCARE) assisted with clearing the park of day and overnight users.

State forestry and wildlife lands on Kauaʻi will be closed upon issuance of a National Weather Service tropical storm or hurricane warning. This includes forest reserves, natural area reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Nā Ala Hele Trails. DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) lands will reopen with the cancellation of any warning(s) from the National Weather Service.

Oʻahu

State parks and lands are presently open, subject to change.

Maui Nui

State parks and lands are presently open, subject to change.

Maui forestry and wildlife lands will be closed as of 5 p.m., today, August 14, 2026.

Lānaʻi

Several hunters have already checked in for their weekend hunt on Lānaʻi. DOFAW will honor their reservations due to the considerable expenses incurred by those travelers and the fact that they did not receive notice of the closure ahead of their trips. However, DOFAW recommends they reschedule or use caution to avoid entering the game management area during inclement weather to keep themselves and first responders safe.

Hawaiʻi Island

State parks on Hawaiʻi will close at 4 a.m., August 15, 2026.

Hawaiʻi Island forestry and wildlife lands will be closed as of 7 p.m.

DLNR is asking for everyone's cooperation with this announcement of area closures. People are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas due to the dangers of rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees, storm surge, or high surf.

Emergency response or rescue from these areas may be delayed.

Individuals in remote locations who may face dangerous surf, flooding or road conditions are advised to shelter in place.

While DLNR lands will reopen with the National Weather Service cancellation of the Warning(s), residents and visitors are urged to continue exercising caution as hazards may exist and certain facilities may remain closed as required until after-storm-inspections are completed. Any extended closures will be announced as soon as possible.

Residents and visitors are advised to follow instructions of the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) and county emergency management agencies regarding preparations and safety precautions for heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, power outages, large surf and coastal surge. See:

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency https://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/

Emergency Management Agency Contacts https://waihalana.hawaii.gov/ema-contacts/

More weather information is available at: https://www.weather.gov/hfo

For updates on storm related park closures, please visit the Hawaiʻi State Parks webpage at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/

Media contact:
Andrew Laurence
Communications Director
State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources
Phone: 808-587-0396
E-mail: [email protected]