State Park Fees Rise for First Time in 20 Years

Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area. PC: DLNR

As of Oct. 9, out-of-state residents and commercial operators will be charged higher fees for entering select Hawaiʻi State Parks.

The higher fees were approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in August. Following a public hearing, the fee schedule was signed into law by Gov. David Ige last week.

Park Visitors will now pay $10 per vehicle and $5 for walk-ins at eight parks on the four major islands. Previously fees were $5 per vehicle and $1 for walk-in visitors. Commercial entry for vans and tour buses are also being raised, with fees now ranging from $15 to $90 depending on location and passenger capacity.

Hawaiʻi State Park entry fees have not been increased for the past 20 years.

“Though the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in drastic reductions in the number of visitors coming to Hawaiʻi, we hope these additional fees will help to offset some of our severe revenue losses incurred by State Parks as Hawaiʻi gradually reopens,” DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell stated. “Some of our most heavily visited parks will remain closed due to coronavirus concerns. This further hampers revenue generation as we all struggle with the economic impacts of the pandemic.”

Under the rule change, Hawaiʻi residents will no longer pay to enter Diamond Head State Monument on Oʻahu. Parking and entrance fees to all State Parks for Hawaiʻi residents are free.

Camping and lodging fees will see modest increases. Residents will now pay $20/night for tent campsites, while the non-resident rate is set at $30/night. New lodging rates will range from $40/night for an A-Frame shelter at Hāpuna Beach State Recreation area ($70 for non-residents) to $70/night for cabins in various parks ($100 for non-residents).

Camping fees along the Kalalau Trail within Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park, Hawaiʻiʻs largest State Park with arguably the greatest set of management challenges, will go up from $15 and $25 per night, to $25 and $35 per night for residents and non-residents, respectively. Camping and lodging rates were last increased over a decade ago.