The Department of Parks and Recreation announced in a news release that contractors are installing a time-activated entrance gate at Koko Head District Park.

What You Need To Know

  • The gate is designed to automatically close and open the Anapalau Street entrance, closing the park from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. 

  • DPR said they hope the gate will decrease the impact of early morning Koko Crater Tramway hikers on the neighbors surrounding the park

  • Throughout the project, the construction site atop the summit will be closed to the public

  • The $50,000 cost of the gate was funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority

Koko Head District Park is a 40-acre park known for its popular and steep railroad stairs.  

The gate is designed to automatically close and open the Anapalau Street entrance, closing the park from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.  

The gate’s installation will start Monday. Because of the installation, no vehicular entry will be allowed into Koko Head District Park. Pedestrians will still be able to access the park. On Tuesday, motorists will again be allowed to drive into the park. DPR expects the installation of the gate to be completed in a week. 

DPR said they hope the gate will decrease the impact of early morning Koko Crater Tramway hikers on the neighbors surrounding the park.

For the last five years, the vehicular gate was closed by contracted security. However, it was not reopened until 6:30 a.m. because of a lack of staff. As a result, early morning park users would park along the residential roads near the Anapalau Street entrance. According to DPR, this disrupted the neighborhood by causing noise and excessive parking before dawn. 

The cost of the gate and its installation is funded through a partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority, which provided $50,000. 

“With hundreds of diverse parks spread around the island, we try our best to be good neighbors and remain sensitive to the needs of the surrounding communities,” said Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Director Laura H. Thielen. “We truly hope this creative solution from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, Oahu Visitors Bureau, and our staff steers the tramway hikers to the proper parking facilities.” 

The Koko Crater Tramway is the second most frequented hike on Oahu, after the Diamond Head State Monument hike. This summer, the City and County of Honolulu replaced the hike’s summit viewing platform. Also, the Koko Head Park Road was repaved in July.