He'eia State Park

The basics

Surrounded by the ocean on three sides, the park has a large grassy area with tall trees that provide shade for picnickers. Visitors can also take self-guided walking tours through the park to see its variety of native and introduced flora. Kayaking and snorkeling are popular activities at He’eia State Park, and you can rent equipment there. Self-guided audio driving tours of Oahu often include a stop at He’eia State Park and provide information about its history.

Things to know before you go

• Facilities include restrooms, showers, and drinking water.

• He'eia Fishpond is private property and not a part of Heʻeia State Park. Seek permission if you wish to visit.

• Pets are prohibited in the park.

How to get there

He'eia State Park is around 14 miles (23 kilometers) from downtown Honolulu. Drivers can take either the Like Like Highway (HI-63 North) or the more scenic Pali Highway (HI-61 North) to connect with HI-83 North. The number 60 bus from downtown Honolulu takes around 40 minutes to reach the park.

When to get there

The park is open to visitors year-round, from early morning until sunset. During Makahiki season, typically from October through January, the park hosts traditional Hawaiian games, including 'ulu maika, similar to bowling, and konane, a 2-person game of strategy similar to checkers.

Kaneohe Sandbar

He’eia State Park is the starting point for kayak trips to the Kaneohe Sandbar, a tiny secluded island that appears at low tide. The sandbar is around one mile (1.6 kilometers) from the park, and it takes around an hour to paddle there. If you are not a confident paddler or just want to take it easy, you can find a tour operator to take you out instead.