More campsites available for Memorial Day weekend
The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is pleased to announce that nearly two dozen campsites will be reopened for recreational camping as of this Memorial Day Weekend.
Following the suspension of recreational camping at the largest City-managed campground at Bellows Field Beach Park due to turtle nesting, DPR began the process of reopening various campsites around the island to offset the seasonal loss.
In total 23 total campsites have been reactivated at the following 11 campgrounds:
- Ho‘omaluhia Botanical Gardens’ three campgrounds (Kahua Kuou, Kahua Nui, & Kahua Lehua)
- Kaiaka Bay Beach Park
- Kalaeloa Beach Park
- Kalaniana‘ole Beach Park
- Kea‘au Beach Park
- Kualoa Regional Park
- Mā‘ili Beach Park
- Swanzy Beach Park
- Waimānalo Bay Beach Park
“When the pandemic began, about half of our campsites were taken offline to allow for greater physical distancing,” said DPR Director Laura H. Thielen. “With the seasonal closure of the Bellows Campground and COVID restrictions continuing to be loosened, we are bringing back some of these closed sites to meet the public need for positive, outdoor recreational opportunities. Looking ahead, we will continue to reopen more campsites to the public in a calculated manner.”
Under regular circumstances, DPR manages 17 campgrounds with 217 campsites across O‘ahu. When camping resumed during the pandemic in summer 2020, the number of campsites was reduced to 112. The seasonal closure of Bellows in mid-April 2021 lowered that number to 87 campsites, with these recent openings raising it back to 110 campsites.
DPR would like to remind permitted campers to please remember that camping rules remain in effect, including but not limited to: 10 people per campsite, no dogs, no alcohol, no driving motor vehicles on the beach, and no more than 3 camping tents per campsite.
Camping reservations can be made online at camping.honolulu.gov or by visiting the DPR Permit Office location within the Fasi Municipal Building at 650 S. King Street. Reservations become available at 5 p.m. two weeks ahead of time.
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 [email protected]
