Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park
Hawaii, HI Hours and Location

Aloha and Welcome to Hawaii’s State Parks!

Hawaii is the most remote land mass on earth. Its reputation for unsurpassed natural beauty is reflected in its parks. Hawaii’s state park system is comprised of 51 state parks encompassing nearly 30,000 acres on the 5 major islands. The park environments range from landscaped grounds with developed facilities to wildland areas with trails and primitive facilities.

Outdoor recreation consists of a diversity of coastal and wildland recreational experiences, including picnicking, camping, lodging, ocean recreation, sightseeing, hiking, and pleasure walking. The park program protects, preserves, and interprets excellent examples of Hawaii’s natural and cultural history. The exceptional scenic areas are managed for their aesthetic values and developed for their superb views.

We invite you to experience Hawaii, learn about its unique resources and history, and participate in outdoor recreation by visiting our parks. As you visit, please help us protect Hawaii’s fragile and irreplaceable resources for future generations

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About this location:

State Park

Hours

Daily During Daylight Hours

Entrance Fee

• None

About

Site of the first extensive contact between Hawaiians and Westerners with the arrival of Captain Cook in 1779. Viewing of Hikiau Heiau, a traditional religious site, and the Captain Cook monument at a distance across Kealakekua Bay. (4.0 acres)

Kealakekua Bay SHP Master Planning Documents:

Here are the summary results of public surveys solicited in regards to the Park Master Planning effort:

Ka‘awaloa (Kealakekua Bay) Permits for 2017-2018

In order to access the land at or visit Ka’awaloa Flat (the location of the Captain Cook Monument), visitors have only two options:

1. Hike from the uplands via the historic Ka’awaloa Trail.
2. Take a guided kayak tour through one of the three permitted commercial vendors listed on this page.

Transiting the bay by individuals is allowed so long as the vessel has a valid permit (both private and commercial rental vessels). Permitted vessels are prohibited from landing at Ka’awaloa flat, or launching from Napo’opo’o wharf. Visitors do NOT need to acquire their own permits when renting a kayak, but must confirm from the vessel owner that the vessel they rent possesses a valid permit for transiting the bay.

To apply for a vessel permit to transit Kealakekua Bay, please download the appropriate (commercial or non-commercial) application below, fill it out, save it to your computer and then email completed application to: KBSHP.VESSEL.SUP@hawaii.gov

These permits only apply to vessels transiting the water and do not authorize any business operation related to soliciting for customers, renting equipment or otherwise promoting a business within the boundaries of Kealakekua Bay SHP.

In January of 2013, DLNR initiated management activity to improve the quality and sustainability of this heavily visited and significant cultural and natural resource by regulating the use of a variety of vessels in the water and on land at Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.

A primary issues for the change in management strategy has been the proliferation and use of unpermitted kayak rentals being conducted at the historic Napo’opo’o wharf and the subsequent impacts to the adjacent community and the user’s experience and safety, and impacts to cultural resources and subsequent reduction in quality of the resources at Ka’awaloa Flats.

There are currently 3 authorized kayak tour companies that may launch from the Napo’opo’o wharf and land at Ka’awaloa – with strict requirements that include site stewardship and the management, containment and subsequent removal of any human waste while at Ka’awaloa Flat.

In the meantime, the Division of State Parks will continue to engage in planning and identify strategies to better manage this significant cultural resource.

Authorized kayak tour companies

The Following Vendors Have Been Issued Permits by the Division of State Parks to Lead Guided Commercial Kayak Tours to the Captain Cook Monument at Ka’awaloa, Kealakekua Bay:

Ka‘awaloa (Kealakekua Bay) Permits for 2017-2018

In order to access the land at or visit Ka’awaloa Flat (the location of the Captain Cook Monument), visitors have only two options:

Hike from the uplands via the historic Ka’awaloa Trail. Take a guided kayak tour through one of the three permitted commercial vendors listed on this page.

Transiting the bay by individuals is allowed so long as the vessel has a valid permit (both private and commercial rental vessels). Permitted vessels are prohibited from landing at Ka’awaloa flat, or launching from Napo’opo’o wharf. Visitors do NOT need to acquire their own permits when renting a kayak, but must confirm from the vessel owner that the vessel they rent possesses a valid permit for transiting the bay.

To apply for a vessel permit to transit Kealakekua Bay, please download the appropriate (commercial or non-commercial) application below, fill it out, save it to your computer and then email completed application to: KBSHP.VESSEL.SUP@hawaii.gov

Non-commercial Permit Application (2017-18)

Non-commercial Application Form Instructions (updated 6/2017)

Commercial Permit Application (2017-18)

Commercial Application Form Instructions (updated 6/2017)

Map of Regulated Areas in Kealakekua Bay (updated 6/2017)

Kealakekua MLCD (updated 6/2017)

Activities

• Boat Tours
• Sightseeing
• Snorkeling
• Wildlife Viewing

Facilities

• Picnic Pavilion
• Restroom
• Trash Cans
• Water Fountain
• Scenic Viewpoint

Hazards

• Falling Rocks
• Dangerous Shorebreak
• Strong Current

Prohibited

• No Motorized Vehicles/ATV’s
• No Boat Landing or Launching
• No Alcoholic Beverages
• No Camping
• No Smoking
• No Commercial Activities