State will no longer issue vehicle permits to access Kaena Point this year

KAENA POINT, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state won't be issuing any more vehicle permits for the public to access Kaena Point for the rest of 2018. That's because permits have already reached the annual cap.

The announcement came Wednesday from the DLNR.

Due to "tremendous unanticipated and unprecedented demand," the DLNR says the maximum 10,000 permit decals have been issued.

The permit is required to drive into Kaena Point State Park Reserve, Mokuleia section.

All permits already issued this year will be valid until Dec. 31.

"The permit system was one element of an integrated Kaena 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," State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell said.

One goal of the permit system was to protect the natural resources in the area from off-roaders.

In 2016, more than 5,200 permits were issued. The year before that, more than 3,500.

Permits for 2019 will go on sale in November. (The exact date is yet to be announced.) For details, click here. 

Permit applicants must be residents of Hawaii living on Oahu.

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