DLNR lands on Kauaʻi remain closed for public safety following Hurricane Lowell

All Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) lands on Kaua‘i will remain closed to the public into the foreseeable future due to widespread damage from Hurricane Lowell. In particular, the public is urged to avoid Kōke‘e State Park and Kōke‘e Road, where many catastrophic, unmitigated hazards exist throughout the landscape.

In the days immediately following Hurricane Lowell, DLNR teams assisted with checking leased cabins and clearing paths for individuals who were unable to leave because of significant treefall on interior unimproved park access roads. Anyone who can and wants to leave the area is now able to do so.

“DLNR staff on Kaua‘i have been working tirelessly on emergency response with professionalism under very challenging circumstances since the first hours following the impact of Hurricane Lowell and continue to do so. Those on-site have described the devastation at Kōke‘e State Park as ‘unreal’ and there is still a long way to go toward restoration of public access,” said DLNR First Deputy Director Dave Day.

“State parks and public lands are for the people. We will reopen lands as soon as it is safe to do so and appreciate the public’s patience and understanding, while our efforts are focused on responding to and recovering from this historic storm. We would like to thank all of our partners in federal, state and county governments who have worked alongside us in these efforts.”

Trees have fallen across Waimea Canyon Drive, Kokeʻe Road and across virtually all internal park dirt roads that access facilities, including approximately 100 leased recreational cabins.

The DLNR Division of State Parks has closed the road into Kōkeʻe State Park as part of the total park closure. The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) also closed the Waimea Canyon Road above the lower junction.

Following reports of people disregarding the closure and trying to access the cabins, DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officers have been posted at the junction of Kōkeʻe Road and Waimea Canyon Road, maintaining a 24/7 roadblock, controlling traffic and access. Access is allowed during daytime hours up to 6 p.m. for people who have legitimate business. All others continue to be denied entry by DOCARE officers.

Although one lane of the main road has been cleared for critical emergency access and to assess damage, many trees are still down along the road and side roads remain largely unpassable. Power and water utilities have not been restored and cell service is limited.

Road clearing may require many more weeks.