Area
Remote, wild, volcanic coastline offering solitude and respite from urban life. Lodging, camping, picnicking, shore fishing and hardy family hiking along an ancient Hawaiian coastal trail which leads to Hana. Excellent opportunity to view a seabird colony and natural stone arch. Other features include native hala forest, heiau (religious temple), sea stacks, blow holes and small black sand beach.
Ocean access allowed.
All visitors and commercial operators will need to make reservations to enter the popular Waiʻānapana State Park on Maui, beginning on March 1. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the popular park, located near the end of the famous Hana Highway in East Maui, had seen increased crowding and a glut of commercial tours. This impacted the adjacent rural community and overall visitor experiences. New fees for entry and parking will also be in effect when the reservation system is launched. Entry and parking for Hawaiʻi residents will still be free.
Wai’ānapanapa, which means glistening waters, with Pa‘iola, its famous black sand beach and stunning coastal views, will be the second state park in Hawaiʻi to require reservations. It is the first to integrate commercial tours into its reservation system. This follows the successful implementation of the Hāʻena State Park reservation system, which was implemented after the 2018 flood. It is largely credited with bringing serenity back to one of the most impacted regions of the state by implementing a reservation and shuttle system and establishing limits on the number of daily visitors. At Wai’ānapanapa, like at Hāʻena on Kaua‘i, parking spaces will be held back to accommodate Hawai‘i residents.
“This balances State Park’s critical need for revenue with the commercial tours paying a fair rate for their use of the park. It enables us to adjust patronage numbers to reduce crowding and impacts on the sensitive resources of the park,” said DLNR Division of State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell. Also, and just as important, we can reduce the impact on our neighbors. As a former resident of Hana, living right next to Wai’ānapanapa, it feels good to support a process that will help my former neighbors. Quality over quantity is our new target in management,” Cottrell added.
Initially, reservations will be taken 2 weeks in advance due to continuing uncertainties about COVID-19 rules and restrictions. This window will be extended over time. Reservations must be made in advance and no same-day reservations there will be available.
“This new reservation system for Waiʻānapanapa State Park is critical to a larger effort to better manage traffic flow coming into East Maui,” said Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English, whose district encompasses the area around Waiʻānapanapa . “This is a new way to better manage the impacts of tourism on our local communities and I look forward to working with DLNR to implement these types of systems in other areas of my district.”
Waiʻānapanapa State Park fees effective March 1, 2021:
Out-of-State visitors
Commercial (PUC) vehicle parking slots:
Reservations available at:
Camper vehicles also referred to as Campervans are allowed at Waianapanapa State Park with a valid Campervan Permit. Vehicles that have been modified and equipped for camping/sleeping are approved for use in the Camper Vehicle Sections. Vehicles that have not been modified for camping/sleeping are prohibited within the Camper Vehicle areas.
Permits titled “Undesignated Campground” do not allow you to camp in your vehicle, you must purchase a Campervan Permit. Undesignated Campground permits are intended for use by on-the-ground tent campers.
Please see the link below for more information and examples.
“The black volcanic sand beach is a highlight at this state park in Maui, Hawaii, but there’s plenty more to see, including freshwater caves, water tubes, anchialine pools, and a natural stone arch. Wildlife is abundant, and on any given day you might see an incredible seabird colony or watch the park’s tide pools turn crimson with the arrival of thousands of tiny shrimp.” – National Geographic
*Fees Go Into Affect March 01, 2021*
Non Commercial Vehicles
Commercial PUC Vehicles
*Fees Go Into Affect March 01, 2021*
By Permit Only
CABINS
NOTE: Online CABIN reservations must be made at least 3-days prior to check-in date.
Daily 7:00am – 6:00pm
