Ala Moana Regional Park
Table of Contents
Ala Moana Regional Park as we know it today rests on reclaimed land that was once swampy marshland. It was part of historic change in land-use, a large development of open areas needed for additional space beginning in the 1920’s.
Structural construction of the park began soon after the land was created in the 1930’s. A Sport Pavilion, Banyan Court, lawn bowling green, Bridle Path Bridge, and the Roosevelt entry Portals were some of the initial park amenities. The two ponds and drainage canals were additionally dredged around 1932 for both aesthetic and the practical purpose of control local water run-off. The park was dedicated in 1934 by then president Franklin Delano Roosevelt and dubbed “The People’s Park”.
Following the use of the park as a military battery and staging area during WW II, the park experienced restoration and evolution throughout the 1990’s. Beginning in 1954, the mile-long sandy beach fronting the park was constructed. Today that beach requires periodic sand replenishment due to erosion. Nourishing the beach is an element of the Master Plan. From 1957 to 1961 several park features were added, including concession and bathhouse facilities at both the Diamond Head and Ewa ends of the park. In 1962, the 47-acre ʻĀina Moana (Magic Island) was constructed. Originally conceptualized as a major resort area, it was later added to the park as additional open space. 1975 saw the addition of McCoy Pavilion and later in the 1990’s additional bridges were added over the canals.
In 1988, the park was added to the State Register of Historic Places. Preservation and restoration of these structures is a key element of the current Master Plan.
Today, the significance of the park remains paramount in the lives of local residents and visitors. As one of the state’s oldest and busiest parks, currently seeing an estimated four million users every year, Ala Moana Regional Park has become an integral part of our island community. The city hopes this facility will continue to be a resource that the public treasures, all while hosting annual events, such as the Lantern Floating Ceremony, and special occasions, such as the return of the Hōkūleʻa from the Mālama Honua Worldwide Voyage in June 2017.
Maps of Picnic Sites for Permitting
With 40 designated picnic sites across the 119 acres of Ala Moana Regional Park there is plenty of space for your to enjoy “the People’s Park!” You can use these facilities on a casual, first-come-first-served basis during regular park hours from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, or you can permit these locations if:
- Conduct any organized activity, e.g. sports tournaments, meetings, or workshops.
- Reserve the use of the facilities including fields, rooms, tables, and benches.
- Have a group picnic of 50 or more persons.
- Utilize / set-up large structures such as inflatable bounce houses.
- Drive any vehicle on grassed areas.
- Play or amplify loud music or use loudspeakers.
To begin the permit process, first call the friendly Ala Moana staff at 808-768-4611 to coordinate. Then fill-out a “Use of Park Facilities” application and submit it at least three weeks prior to your event. Then enjoy the park!
Latest News
After nearly five years of improvement projects and pandemic closures, the famed Lester McCoy Pavilion is expected to partially reopen in 2026!
The popular facility has been closed since late 2019 due to several different improvement projects and the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the pavilion closed for a project to improve the Auditorium’s air conditioning. That was completed in the midst of pandemic closures, and rather than reopen the pavilion for a few months in-between projects (during which time we likely would not have been able to use it for public purposes) the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation decided to keep it closed until the next projects began.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of Ala Moana Regional Park users and event organizers who have waited patiently for the reopening of this iconic facility. This includes the tennis and pickleball court players, utilizing the courts around the pavilion, who have been directly impacted by the construction.
Previous Park Improvements
Converting the practice tennis court to dedicated pickleball
- ʻĀina Moana Shower Improvements: Improved water quality runoff and shower facilities near the comfort station at the base/entrance of Magic Island. It began in December 2018 and was finished by the end of May 2019.
- Park Drive Tree Plantings: Relocation of 14 coconut palm trees from Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) sites on Nimitz Highway to several locations along Ala Moana Park Drive. 28 additional trees are scheduled for planting in late July 2019.
- ʻĀina Moana Storage Room Repairs: Improve structural integrity and electrical capabilities of the staff storage room. Expected to be completed in July 2019.
- ʻĀina Moana (Magic Island) Irrigation Project: Installed a new, smart irrigation system to replace the od patchwork of irrigation lines dating back several decades.
- Diamond Head Concession Roof Repairs: Replaced the leaking roof installed in 2008. Project began in November 2018 and was finished in February 2019.
- Park Trellis Improvements: Replaced the deteriorated frame that was removed for safety reasons in the 1990’s. Project began in August 2018 and was finished in the beginning of 2019.
- ‘Ewa Bathhouse Improvements: Similar to the improvements to the Diamond Head-end bathhouse (described below), where skylights and security gates installed, roof repaired, ADA-compliance improved, and other interior and exterior repairs. Project began in January 2019 and is expected to be finished by the end of summer 2019. Portable toilets will be provided to the public near the worksite.
- McCoy Pavilion Auditorium Air Conditioner Replacement: The facilities in McCoy Pavilion will be closed/impacted by a construction project for a new auditorium air conditioning system beginning on July 1, 2019. The project is scheduled to finish the following winter.
Master Plan
The Master Plan outlines a variety of short and long-term projects and park improvements to restore, revitalize, and enhance Ala Moana Regional Park, initiated under the Mayor Kirk Caldwell administration. Proposed actions include:
- Sand replenishment and long-term beach nourishment
- Mitigate stresses to the beach including: erosion, sea level rise, King Tides, no natural source of sand
- Raise elevation and widen beach
- Reconfiguring parking layout without losing stalls and improving the roadway
- Increase the total number of stalls in the park. Currently 950 stalls exist within the park
- Removing parallel parking along Ala Moana Park Drive and adding perpendicular parking along the mauka side of the road. Additional plans for loading and unloading zones.
- Two-way traffic flow remaining
- McCoy Pavilion Keyhole parking lot expansion/redesign
- Elongating ʻĀina Moana parking lot
- Repaving Ala Moana Park Drive
- Renovating McCoy Pavilion and the Banyan Courtyard
- Renovating and ehancing the entryways
- Additional seating and greenery ourtside of the facility
- Air condition replacement
- Added pathways and activation of the Diamond Head side
- Preserve historic structures
- Enhancing entrances into the park
- Widening pedestrian access at Pi‘ikoi and Queen streets
- Covering drainage canals for easier access
- Repairing the historic walls and structures at Kamake‘e and Atkinson entrances
- Widening sidewalks at the vehicular entrances
- Expansion of promenades along Ala Moana Park Drive and the Ala Wai Boat Harbor
- Provide more seating, shade trees, and greenery
- Wider path for pedestrians and bicycles
- Improvements to the canoe launch ramp and crosswalk
- Improving to the central raised area
- Repairing and enhancing the terrace
- Redesign for additional access
- Improving the edges of waterways
- Hardscaping and enhancing pond edges
- Drainage canal coverings
- Incorporating a multi-use facility into the Lawn Bowling area
