Beginning March 1st, both Residents and Visitors alike will now need to make a reservation to enter Wai’napanapa State Park.
Wai’napanapa State Park is located just before you reach Hana Town, on the famous Road to Hana.
The park, made famous for its Black Sand Beach- Pa’iola, Caves, Lava Rock formations and stunning Views has been a popular stop for a mass number of Touring Vans in recent years. That and all the residents that like to visit, it makes for a busy little Park.
Wai’napanapa State Park is also is a local favorite for Swimming and Body-Surfing at the Black Sand Beach, Camping, and Fishing. Did I mention BBQ’s too?
There is a long scenic walking Trail that runs along the Ocean. The Park itself has Picnic Tables, Cabins (shh) and -not open at this covig time- Tent and Van Camping. Note: they are very strict on the types of Camper Vans fyi.
Most ‘Road to Hana’ Tours take 6-24 passengers on average per vehicle, and prior to Covid, there was a plethora of types, sizes, and interests.
Haleakala State Park was the first to implement a reservations system for Sunrise. Sunrise was becoming way to crowded with many more vehicles than the allowed. People parking where they could a spot, and not always on the road.
Our Hawaii Governors website mentions about the new Reservation system for Hale’akala State Park:
“ 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 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.”
The new entrance fees will be $5 for non-residents and will continue to be Free for Island Residents with Hawaii State ID. A good thing to keep in mind for residents, is that a Visitor going into the Park with a Resident, will still have to pay the $5 entrance fee.
Parking Fees will be $10 for Visitors, $25 for 1-7 Passenger Commercial Vehicles, $50 for 8-25 Passenger Commercial Vehicles and $90.00 if anyone takes in a 26+ Passenger Commercial Vehicle. Parking is also Free to Island Residents with Hawaii State ID.
Visitors to Wai’napanapa State Park will need to make their reservations at least 1 day before going and (currently) up to 14 days out.
Follow this link to make a reservation for Wai’napanapa State Park. You can make a Reservation it says, starting Feb 15th, 2021.
Interesting Fact: Did you know… Wai’napanapa means “Glistening Waters” and Pa’iola is the name of the beautiful Black Sand Beach. I got that little tid-bit from the Governors’ site as well.
Click for more info on Wai’napanapa State Park and facilities..
