Kualoa Regional Park
Table of Contents
Located on the northern point of Kāne‘ohe Bay on the Windward (east) Coast of O‘ahu, Kualoa Regional Park represents about 153 acres of a storied and culturally significant ahupua‘a (Hawaiian land division).
Kualoa translates to “long back” in ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i (Hawaiian language), referring to the majestic spine of the Ko‘olau Mountains which serve as the backdrop for this lush location. Also included in this public park is the small island Mokoli‘i (little lizard), which is often called Chinaman’s Hat.
The history of these fabled shores weave seamlessly into the experiences you can enjoy in the park today. From sailing to swimming, camping to cultural events explore the possibilities of Kualoa Regional Park below!
To contact Kualoa staff, please call +1 (808) 768-8974 or email us
Activities
Campground A
A hidden gem on the Kāne‘ohe-side of the park, this area is closed during the summer for dedicated parks programs.
Campground B
Facing Mokoli'i (Chinaman's Hat), this area is adjacent to ancient Hawaiian fishponds. Fishing here can be quite good.
Wa‘a (Canoe) Fest
We are proud to partner with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), and dozens of Hawaiian cultural and navigational organizations to celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s 50th birthday as part of the Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a (Canoe) Festival on Saturday, March 8, 2025 at Kualoa Regional Park from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The entire day will be focused on reflecting, honoring, and celebrating Hōkūleʻa’s historic launch on March 8, 1975 at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed, and entered the ocean. It will feature a variety Hawaiian cultural protocol, ocean activities, and educational opportunities for the entire family, such as: hula & oli, paddling & sailing, navigation lessons, and so much more. Food booths are also available on-site for this family friendly event.
If you cannot make it in-person to the event, there will be livestreams of this momentous occasion at hokulea.com (8 a.m.) and on Hawai‘i News Now (7 a.m.)
The gates to enter Kualoa Regional Park from Kamehameha Highway open at 6 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. There is no overnight camping this weekend, unless previously authorized.
Our parking attendants will be using the grass fields for public parking from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The official ceremony is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., including the arrival of crews from Hōkūle‘a at 8 a.m. followed by the commemorative program at the Ahu (stone altar) Site beginning at 9 a.m.
Hoʻokupu (gifts of lei, oli, haʻi ʻolelo) will be formally received at the Ahu Site from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Schools, canoe clubs, halau, organizations, ʻohana, and individuals are certainly welcome to say hau‘oli lā hānau (happy birthday) to Hōkūle‘a!
Then the Wa‘a (Canoe) Festival is a go from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plenty of opportunities for hand-on voyaging and learning experiences. Including chances to sail and paddle on a variety of Hawaiian vessels!
As a result of the festival, camping at both of Kualoa Regional Park’s campgrounds will be suspended from March 7 through March 12, 2025. For more information, visit: bit.ly/Hokulea50thKualoa
Virtual Canoe Fest
Despite the physical restrictions imposed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, the creative Kualoa ‘Ohana (family) carried on the festival’s spirit by creating a series of six video storytelling sessions. Now available in perpetuity, you can listen to these experienced watermen and women as they pass along their mana‘o (wisdom) in their respective areas of expertise! Mahalo to veteran filmmaker Tobi Nova for his kokua (help).
Past Events
We were honored to partner with the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS), and dozens of Hawaiian cultural and navigational organizations to celebrate Hōkūleʻa’s 50th birthday as part of the Kualoa/Hakipu‘u Wa‘a (Canoe) Festival on Saturday, March 8, 2025. The entire day focused on reflecting, honoring, and celebrating Hōkūleʻa’s historic launch on March 8, 1975 at the very site where the canoe was first assembled, blessed, and entered the ocean. It featured a variety Hawaiian cultural protocol, ocean activities, and educational opportunities for the entire family, such as: hula & oli, paddling & sailing, navigation lessons, and so much more.
In June 2024 we recognized the hard work of Kualoa Regional Park and Kustom Vessels LLC staff who renovated three wa‘a kaulua (double-hulled canoe) as part of the park’s ocean recreation and education programming. A blessing from Liko Hoe and park staff welcomed the wa‘a kaulua back into the Windward waters. Though the ceremony predominantly saw sunny skies, a quick downpour fell precisely as Liko blessed the vessels with wai (water) and pa‘akai (salt), following an opening pule (prayer). Then it was time for keiki and teens from our Summer Fun Program to enjoy their Kualoa excursion, taking turns with voyages aboard the three vessels. The Hawaiian sailing wa‘a holds about 20 keiki and staff, while the paddling wa‘a can hold about eight each. The wa‘a are estimated to be about 25 years old.
Also in June 2024 thousands of members of our Polynesian and Pacific Island ‘ohana (family) took part in the 13th Festival of the Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPaC) We were so proud to host the Waʻa (Canoe) Ceremony! This ceremonial start to FestPAC symbolized unity amongst the more than two dozen Pacific Island nations taking part in this historic occasion, as traditional canoes brought in representatives from all the participating nations. There was no shortage of sharing cultural practices along the shores of Kualoa, with endless displays of song, dance, prayer, giving of ho‘okupu (gifts), and aloha. So much so that we had to share all of the amazing moments we captured in this video montage!
Kualoa & Hōkūle‘a's History
The relevance of navigation in the mo‘olelo (story) of all humankind is paramount. Whether you are of Hawaiian, Polynesian, European, Asian, African, or any other indigenous ancestry, exploration and understanding our magnificent world are embedded in the human experience. It is a universal curiosity that binds us, much like the powerful oceans capable of both sustenance and destruction.
It is this sentiment of shared inspiration and wonder we hope you feel when you visit Kualoa Regional Park.
While City records indicate the park was formally transferred to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation on February 21, 1971, the history of Kualoa goes back well before this time.
Kualoa’s historical and cultural significance to kanaka maoli (Native Hawaiians) cannot be understated. Recognized as a pu‘uhonua (place of refuge), Kualoa was home to makahiki celebrations, royal education, and wayfinding traditions for generations of Hawaiians.As a result, the story of Hōkūleʻa (Star of Gladness) and Kualoa are braided tightly together like ʻaha, cordage used to firmly lash the voyaging canoe. Kualoa is where Hōkūleʻa was assembled, blessed, and first entered the ocean on March 8, 1975. Since then, she has sailed nearly 300,000 miles and completed 15 deep-sea voyages, bridging generations and communities through shared values of Mālama Honua (care for the Earth). We invite you to explore those values, and her future journeys, by visiting the website: hokulea.com