Hawaii State Parks Closed Due to Severe Weather

All state parks, forests, and trails shut down as heavy rain, flooding, and high winds hit the islands.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has closed all state parks, forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, hiking trails, and campgrounds across the state due to the expected continuation of severe weather conditions. Officers are working to evacuate campers and hikers, and residents and visitors are advised to avoid forested and coastal areas due to the dangers of rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees, storm surge, and high surf.

Why it matters

Hawaii's state parks and natural areas are major tourist attractions and recreational resources for locals. Closing them due to extreme weather conditions highlights the increasing threat that climate change-fueled storms pose to the state's environment and infrastructure, and the need for robust emergency preparedness and response measures.

The details

The closures, which went into effect on Sunday, February 8th at 3pm, cover all state-managed outdoor areas including forest reserves, wildlife sanctuaries, natural area reserves, hiking trails, game management areas, and campgrounds. DLNR officers and park staff are working to evacuate any campers or hikers currently in remote locations that may face dangerous conditions like rising streams, flash flooding, falling trees, storm surge, and high surf.

  • The closures went into effect on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at 3pm.
  • The closures will remain in effect until further notice.

The players

Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)

The state agency responsible for managing Hawaii's parks, forests, wildlife, and natural resources.

DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE)

The law enforcement arm of the DLNR tasked with evacuating parks and enforcing the closures.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

DLNR will continue to monitor the weather conditions and provide updates on when the parks and trails can safely reopen to the public.

The takeaway

This emergency closure of Hawaii's state parks and natural areas underscores the increasing threat that climate change-fueled extreme weather events pose to the state's environment, infrastructure, and tourism industry. It highlights the need for robust emergency preparedness and resilience planning to protect both residents and visitors.