City bolsters Hanauma Bay management through non-local fee increase

$25 entrance fee effective July 1 for non-locals 13 years and older

News Release from City and County of Honolulu, June 29, 2021

O‘AHU – In the City and County of Honolulu’s continued efforts to improve management of natural resources and visitors at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, the entrance fee for non-local visitors will increase from $12 to $25 effective Thursday, July 1.

The fee increase applies to non-local visitors 13 years and older following the passage and signing of Ordinance 21-17 earlier this month. Entry into the nature preserve remains free for local residents (with valid identification), keiki 12 years and younger regardless of residency, and active duty military.

“Hanauma Bay is uniquely positioned to be an example of how we can better manage our natural resources as we rebound from the pandemic,” said Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Director Laura H. Thielen. “The measures we have taken this year with the online reservation system and fee increases are designed to ensure the nature preserve’s mission of education and conservation are supported just as much as the recreational aspect.”

The nature preserve is designed to be fiscally sustainable, with all proceeds from entrance fees going directly to maintenance, education, and research.

Since the nature preserve reopened to the public, there have been various efforts by the City to better manage Hanauma Bay, including: minimizing human impact to protect the resources and launching a ticketing and online reservation system to improve visitor experience and reduce impacts on the surrounding community.

“We saw how dramatically Hanauma Bay healed during the pandemic when access to the public was closed. We want to preserve the healing by minimizing human impacts, while at the same time ensuring that there are sufficient resources to maintain the bay and its facilities,” said Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters, who represents the district.

Parking rates remain the same: $1 per vehicle for locals, $3 per vehicle for non-locals, and a separate fee structure for licensed motor carriers. Personal entrance fees are collected prior to visitors entering the lower portion of the nature preserve, which includes the education center, theatre, and beach. The upper portions of nature preserve include the lookouts, bathrooms, parking lots, and picnic areas.

Entry and parking rates for non-local residents 13 years and older were previously increased last year, upon the reopening of the nature preserve to the public, as a result of Ordinance 20-32.

Beginning April 26, entrance into Hanauma Bay has been conducted using a combination of online reservations and walk-in/drive-in procedures. Currently, 25% of the entry is maintained for walk-ins with demand for both online and walk-in entry remaining extremely high. We want to reassure the public that we are actively monitoring both entry procedures to ensure that access is as fair and equitable as possible. Further improvements to the system are forthcoming, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as they are implemented. 

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov

—PAU—