Pilot program to allow kama‘āina entry into Hanauma Bay without a reservation

Two-week pilot program aiming to increase local visitation launches on July 28

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, July 27, 2021

O‘AHU – In an effort to accommodate local residents, while maintaining the improved marine environment created by a reduced number of people in the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will launch a pilot program allowing Hawai‘i residents to enter the bay without a reservation. The purpose of this pilot program is to see if the total number of people coming to the bay remains manageable. 

The pilot program is scheduled to run from Wednesday, July 28 through Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. This schedule is designed to provide DPR with a sample of local traffic into the preserve, without overloading the numbers going into the bay, while public schools are in and out of session. Hawai‘i Department of Education schools are scheduled to commence their 2021/2022 school year on Aug. 3, 2021. Hanauma Bay is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays.

“Although we have seen a slight uptick in the percentage of local residents enjoying Hanauma Bay compared to pre-pandemic numbers, we want to make this natural treasure even more available to kama‘āina,” said Laura H. Thielen, DPR Director. “While we are inviting more local residents to enjoy the bay, we are also reminding everyone that the capacity of preserve facilities, such as the parking lot and educational theatre, have not changed.”

With the increased amount of local traffic expected during these two weeks, DPR is suggesting locals and non-residents consider alternate forms of transportation to enter the bay. The capacity of the bay’s parking lot is approximately 280 stalls, including staff parking. The practice of restricting vehicular access into the preserve once the lot is full will continue, until enough parking becomes available to the public.

Local residents interested in visiting Hanauma Bay without a reservation during this pilot program must show a valid photo identification to prove their residency. Out of state residents must still make reservations by heading to https://pros4.hnl.info/hanauma-bay. Once the two-week pilot program is complete, DPR will use the data gathered to adjust entry practices and continue system improvements.

DPR is additionally proud to announce the 3rd Annual Carrying Capacity Survey for the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve has been published and is now available online by visiting the official Hanauma Bay homepage (https://bit.ly/HanaumaBAY) or by clicking here.

—PAU—

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