Oahu Parks, Gardens & Arboretums (1 of 3)
NATIONAL PARKS
While there are no national parks on the island of Oahu, there are a number of National Historic Landmarks, indicated below.
STATE PARKS
PARK HOURS. Entrance gates of certain parks on Oahu are closed at nights. The open hours are 7am to 7:45pm from April 1 to Labor Day, and 7am to 6:45pm from the day after Labor Day to March 31. View Oahu State Parks Listings (DLNR)
Diamond Head State Monument (475.0 acres) - Makapuu Ave & 18th Ave, Honolulu. Hawaii's most famous landmark--a large tuff cone which was formed by a short series of explosive eruptions some 100,000 years ago; National Natural Landmark. Picnicking on the crater floor in a landscaped meadow; detachment from the city. Moderate family hike (bring a flashlight) with panoramic view of Honolulu; trail 0.7 mile one-way and with some hazards. Viewpoint of Kahala plain. Park gate open 6am to 6pm
Hanauma Bay State Underwater Park (101.0 acres) - 0.3 miles east of Hawaii Kai off Kalanianaole Highway (Hwy 72). Observation of reef fishes and corals through snorkeling or SCUBA diving; good area for novices. Swimming. Adjoining land area is a City and County beach park. Interpretive kiosk in beach park pavilion. Taking of any marine plant or animal life is prohibited.
Heeia State Park (18.5 acres) - 46-465 Kamehameha Highway (Highway 836) at Kealohi Point, Heeia. Coastal site with picnicking and good views of Kaneohe Bay and Heeia Fishpond. Weekend party hall rental. Contact the Friends of Heeia State Park at 247-3156. Park hours: (see above).
Iolani Palace State Monument (11.0 acres) - Corner of South King Street & Richards Street, downtown Honolulu. Royal Palace of the Hawaiian Monarchy. Officially dedicated in 1882, Iolani Palace served as the setting for the monarchs and their courts on formal occasions. Guided tours of the palace interior by advance reservations (fee charged). Call the Friends of Iolani Palace at (808) 522-0832; tour hours are 9 am to 2:15pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Landscaped grounds popular for informal lawn picnics and Friday noon band concerts. National Historic Landmark.
Kaena Point State Park (778.6 acres) - End of Farrington Highway (Highway 930), Makua.
Relatively remote wild coastline with picnicking opportunities and shore fishing. Large sandy beach at Yokohama Bay with board surfing and bodysurfing for experts and swimming only during completely calm conditions in the summer; lifeguard services. Long family hike (2.7 miles one-way) along volcanic coast with tide pools, small natural stone arches and fine views of Makua coastline. Early morning porpoise sightings from point near Kaluakauila stream mouth. Viewing of the large sea cave, Kaneana, legendary home of Nanue the shark man. Hot, dry area with little shade. No drinking water.
Kahana Valley State Park (5,228.7 acres) - 52-222 Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), Kahana. Scenic wildland valley. Swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities, picnicking, camping and viewing of Huilua Fishpond at beach area. Hardy family hike (4.9 miles) and fruit picking in lushly vegetated forest; picnicking in coconut grove; pig hunting in public hunting area. Park open during daylight hours.
Kakaako Waterfront Park (35.0 acres) - End of Ahi or Ohe Streets off Ala Moana Boulevard, Honolulu. Waterfront park with shore fishing and ocean access for body surfing. Built over a former municipal landfill, the park offers a waterfront promenade, picnic areas, an amphitheater, and observation areas with fine views of Waikiki and Diamond Head.
Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area (384.5 acres) - End of Aiea Heights Drive, Aiea Heights, Aiea. Forest recreation: picnicking, camping and hardy family hiking (4.8-mile loop trail); rustic facilities. Remains of heiau ho'ola (temple of treating sick) and specimens of medicinal plants on display. Park hours: (see above).
Malaekahana State Recreation Area (110.0 acres) - Off Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), Malaekahana Beach: Kalanai Point Section 0.6 mile north of Laie town; Kahuku Section 1.3 miles north of Laie town. Wooded beach park with swimming, bodysurfing, beach-related activities and shore fishing. Picnicking and camping a Kalanai Point Section. Picnicking, lodging and fee camping at Kahuku section--call 293-1736 for lodging and camping reservations. Park hours: (see above).
Nuuanu Pali State Wayside (3.0 acres) - Nuuanu Pali summit from marked access road off Pali Highway (Highway 61). Impressive view of windward Oahu from brink of pali (cliffs) at 1200 feet elevation, Koolau Range. Winds are usually so strong that one can lean against the wall of wind.
Puu o Mahuka Heiau State Monument (5.7 acres) - Off Pupukea Homestead Road (Highway 835) from Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83) across from Pupukea fire station. Viewing of Oahu's largest heiau (place of worship), a low-walled court platform-type temple with two adjoining smaller independent structures. Reputed sacrifice site of Captain George Vancouver's watering party in 1793. National Historic Landmark.
Royal Mausoleum State Monument (10.0 acres) - 2261 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu. Burial place of Hawaiian royalty - members of the Kamehameha and Kalaukaua Dynasties with their retainers. Information service; guided tours by advance reservations. Hours are 8am to 4pm, Monday thru Friday and on Memorial Day. Picnicking not allowed.
Sacred Falls State Park (1,373.9 acres) - On Kamehameha Highway (Highway 83), 1 mile south of Hauula town. Hardy family hike to the base of the 80-foot high Sacred Falls. Last leg of this 2-mile hike (one-way) is through a deep, narrow canyon (DANGER: Falling rocks and flash floods!) that converges onto the waterfall. The canyon is rich in lore of the legendary demigod Kamapuaa. Trail closed during rainy weather.
Sand Island State Recreation Area (14.0 acres) - End of Sand Island Access Road, off Nimitz Highway (Highway 92), Sand Island, Honolulu. Landscaped coastal park with picnicking, camping, pleasure walking, shore fishing and board surfing. Small sand beach. Good view of Honolulu Harbor and attractive sunsets. Boat ramp nearby. Park hours: (see above).
Ulu Po Heiau State Monument (8.3 acres) - By foot from YMCA parking lot, via Manu-Oo, Manu-Aloha, and Uluoa streets, off Kailua Road (Highway 61), 0.4 mile northeast of Castle Hospital, Kailua. Viewing of the ruins of a large, open platform heiau (place of worship). Fine view of Kawainui marsh.
Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area (49.9 acres) - End of Ruth Place, via Peter Street from St. Louis Drive off Waialae Avenue, St. Louis Heights, Honolulu. Wildland picnicking on a Norfolk Island pine forested ridge. Fine views of Manoa and Palolo valleys. Hardy family hiking in the forest reserve. Park hours: (see above).
Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area (65.9 acres) - 380 Walker Avenue, off Avocado Street of California Avenue from Kamehameha Highway (Highway 80), Wahiawa. Picnicking along the wooded shore of Wahiawa Reservoir. Year-round shore and boat freshwater fishing; fishing restrictions. No swimming or water skiing. Boating only for fishing purposes; boat ramp at the site. Park hours: (see above).
