Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts, accompanied by a flow of lava and a dome-shaped fountain, captured on USGS footage from Volcanoes National Park.
HONOLULU — Tourists who want to enjoy the natural beauty of some Hawaii state parks will soon have to pay a fee.
In a recent announcement, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said it will implement a “parking management and pricing system” at four popular state parks on the Big Island: Wailuku River State Park and Kekahakai State Park. Wailua River State Park on Kauai. Oahu’s Pu’u Ualaka’a State Wayside — Starting in January.
Non-residents and commercial vehicles will be subject to the fee, which is aimed at “enhancing the experience, improving traffic flow and ensuring park resources are sustainably managed,” according to the department.
“We are always looking for ways to make our parks more enjoyable for residents and visitors alike,” Alan Carpenter, acting superintendent of the DLNR State Parks Department, said in a news release. “These partnerships allow us to provide more consistent visitor management while reinvesting the revenue we collect directly into our parks.”
This funding will go toward park improvements, including park maintenance, facility upgrades, and long-term resource protection. Wailuku River State Park and Kekahakai State Park are each estimated to generate up to $1.5 million in revenue from admission and parking fees, the state parks service told USA TODAY in a statement.
hawaii travel industry
It will follow a similar fee structure already in place at 10 of the most visited state parks, starting with Oahu’s iconic Diamond Head State Monument in 2020, according to the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO). To manage visitor traffic, which reached more than 6,000 in 2019, in 2022 non-residents were required to reserve entry times and pay increased parking fees.
The move is consistent with Hawaii’s overall direction toward a sustainable tourism industry after decades of overtourism that strained natural resources and residents’ quality of life.
Earlier this year, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to enact a climate impact fee. The scheme, known as the ‘green fee’, increased temporary accommodation taxes to help finance projects related to environmental management, climate resilience and sustainable tourism. According to UHERO, these fees are unlikely to deter most tourists from continuing to visit these parks.
What are the new fees?
Visitors without Hawaii ID will pay $5 per person ages 3 and older and $10 per vehicle to enter at the following locations:
- Wailuku River State Park in Hilo features an 80-foot-tall Rainbow Falls and an area of pools fed by underground streams called Boiling Pots.
- Kekaha Kai State Park in Kona, Hawaii, features beaches and historic coastal trails.
- Wailua River State Park is home to Kauai’s longest river, and visitors can take kayaking and boat tours.
A DLNR spokesperson told USA TODAY that parking at Pu’u Ualaka State Wayside will only be $7 per vehicle due to the “short stop” at the Honolulu observation deck.
These pricing systems provide free admission to residents with a valid Hawaii State ID.
When will the new rates start?
The new fees are expected to take effect in early 2026.
What state parks in Hawaii already charge tourists to visit?
The four parks will be added to the list of 10 state parks that already charge fees to visitors.
- Diamond Head National Monument on Oahu
- Cliff Covers of the Loire
- Waianapoka St. State Beach, Maui, Hawaii
- Iao Valley State Monument on Maui
- ROWER KEALA BEALU Col
- Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai
- ELE Star Hawaiians
- Experience Kauai’s Coqui State Park
- Hapuna Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii
- Akaka Falls State Park on the Big Island of Hawaii
