State Restricts Access Permits for Ka‘ena Point

Due to unanticipated and unprecedented demand, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks is not issuing additional 2017-18 vehicle access permits for Ka‘ena Point.

The threshold of 10,000 permit decals has been reached for the permit period and all have been assigned. All approved 2017-18 permits will remain valid through Dec. 31, 2018.

State Parks will begin issuing 2019 vehicle access permits in early November 2018. The exact date will be announced next month. At that time, current permit holders may renew existing permits and new applicants may apply. Once issued, the 2019 permits and vehicle decals will be considered valid through the end of 2018 and for all of 2019. Permit applicants must be residents of Hawaiʻi living on Oʻahu.

The vehicle access special use permit is required to drive into Ka‘ena Point State Park Reserve, Mokuleia section, beyond the gate and the paved road that ends at the gravel parking area.  Initiated in 2015, primarily as a cultural and natural resources management tool, the permit system aimed to curtail 20 years of increasing landscape degradation caused by uncontrolled four-wheel drive vehicle use in the reserve.

The permitting system was generally supported by the broader community as a way to protect this sensitive area. Permit conditions require drivers to remain on a limited number of designated dirt roads.

“The permit system was one element of an integrated Ka‘ena Point management action plan developed in consultation with the community and stakeholders, and approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources in November 2010,” said State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell.

Cottrell added, “There are still unresolved issues with permittees who insist that the area, both on designated routes and on closed ones are suitable for “mud bogging” – which then creates severe erosion, prohibits the re-establishment of coastal vegetation and ultimately accelerates soil runoff into the pristine near shore waters – where there is an abundant fishery.”

State Parks initially expected to issue 600 to 1,000 permits annually. The majority of valid permit holders only access the park less than three times annually.

Cottrell said, “This robust usage underscores the need O‘ahu residents have for recreational and fishing opportunities as well as the growing number of individuals who own  four-wheel drive vehicles that are needed to safely drive through this portion of the park.”

State Parks anticipates maintaining a permit to honor the original intent of the permit system to help protect the resources of Ka‘ena from uncontrolled vehicle use.