Kuhio Beach Park will close at midnight each night, two hours earlier than before, as the Department of Parks and Recreation, in conjunction with law enforcement and the Waikiki community, seeks to enhance safety in the area overnight.

The park will continue to open each morning at 5 a.m.

In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, the department said the change, which was effective immediately, was approved following input from Waikiki residents, the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, the Honolulu Police Department, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Waikiki Business Improvement Association and DPR staff.

The new closure time is consistent with the adjacent Kapiolani Park, which also closes nightly from 12 to 5 a.m.

“We appreciate all of the discussion and input from the numerous stakeholders who help us oversee this historic stretch of beach,” said DPR director Laura Thielen. “It is important to remember that while we are expanding the nightly closure of this park for consistency, the public may traverse a closed public park, especially to access other public resources like the ocean. A closure indicates that you may not remain in the park, unless otherwise permitted.” 

DPR staff completed changes to the physical signage listing the closure hours along Kuhio Beach Park this week. The change is also reflected on the official list of closure hours for city parks online at: bit.ly/ParkClosureHours. Other park closure hours vary from park to park, with most parks closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. nightly.