Special Use Permits

Alex and Ramona from Germany

NPS Photo by Ed Shiinoki

 

 

Weddings In The Park

Weddings held in the park should be planned as small private affairs and conducted away from high visitor use areas. Ceremonies may be held in one of the park's approved locations.

There is a non-refundable $150.00 application fee for the wedding permit.

An application for wedding special use (.docx- 836KB) form must be completed and approved for your ceremony to be held in the park. Please email, fax [phone]), or mail the completed form to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Attn: Commercial Services Office, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718

The preferred method of payment is through Pay.gov. Please call 808-985-6027 to obtain the permit number to insert onto the online Pay.gov form. You must have this number in order to process payment. Please send a copy of the system generated receipt with this application. Or you may send a check or money order along with the application. If you would like to pay by credit or debit card, please pay through pay.gov, DO NOT EMAIL your credit card information with your application.

Pay.gov accepted payment methods:

• Bank account (ACH)
• Paypal account
• Debit or credit card

Make payment via Pay.gov

Park entrance fees also apply.

 

Special Use Permit Conditions for Holding a Wedding Ceremony in the Park

1. The permittee shall not bring any potted plants, dried flower arrangements, or any plants with seeds to be used in any manner.
2. No rocks, vegetation or other natural resources will be moved, stacked, cut, or disturbed in any way.
3. All activities, including but not limited to the consumption of alcohol, will be in compliance with state and federal laws.
4. NO items will be left at the wedding site and items may not be stored in the Park. The permittee shall clean up any rubbish generated by the event.
5. The permittee shall not restrict or obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic in any way anywhere in the Park.
6. Audio devices and music shall not be used in a manner that may disturb other visitors.
7. Entrance fees are required of the permittee, the wedding party, the person(s) performing the ceremony, and any guests in accordance with Park regulations.
8. The permittee may set up no more than one (1) table and twelve (12) chairs unless special permission is granted.
9. Violation of the terms and/or conditions of the permit may result in the immediate revocation of the permit.
10. ALL instructions by authorized National Park Service personnel will be complied with immediately.
11. Weddings are not permitted at Halema'uma'u crater or the hula platform.
12. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; also known as drones) are prohibited.

 

Scattering of Ashes

The scattering of cremated human remains in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park should be planned as a small private affair, held away from high visitor use areas. You are welcome to hold your ceremony in one of the park's approved locations.
Several important conditions must be considered in your plans and are listed below.

There is a non-refundable $25.00 application fee for the permit.

An application for ash scattering special use (.docx- 836KB) must be completed for your ceremony to be held in the park. Please email, mail, or fax [phone] the completed form to Commercial Services Office at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718. A copy of the death certificate is required. A Special Use Permit may then be granted for the event.

The preferred method of payment is through Pay.gov. Please call 808-985-6027 to obtain the permit number to insert onto the online Pay.gov form. You must have this number in order to process payment. Please send a copy of the system generated receipt with this application. Or you may send a check or money order along with the application. If you would like to pay by credit or debit card, please pay through pay.gov, DO NOT EMAIL your credit card information with your application.

Pay.gov accepted payment methods:

• Bank account (ACH)
• Paypal account
• Debit or credit card

Make payment via Pay.gov

Contact Commercial Services Office at [phone], if you have any questions.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park entrance fees will apply.

Special Use Permit Conditions for Scattering of Cremated Human Remains

1. Scattering is not permitted at or in the Halemaʻumaʻu crater.
2. Scattering must take place in such a manner and in such a location that the ashes will not be located and identified as human remains.
3. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; also known as drones) are prohibited.
4. No memorials, plaques, photos, or flowers will be left in the park.
5. The permittee recognizes and is aware of the sensitivity of this activity and agrees to perform it in a discreet and private manner.
6. Established entrance fees are required and this permit does not waive those fees.
7. All instructions by National Park Service personnel must be followed.
8. All local, state, and federal rules and regulations must be followed.
9. Violation of the terms and conditions of the permit may result in the immediate revocation of the permit and/or other law enforcement action.

 

Other Special Use Permit Requests

Special Use Permit requests that do not meet the criteria above can be requested by following the application process below.

There is a non-refundable $150 application fee. An application for special use (.docx- 836KB) must be completed and approved. Please email, mail, or fax [phone] the completed form to Commercial Services Office at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, P.O. Box 52, Hawaii National Park, HI 96718.

The preferred method of payment is through Pay.gov. Please call 808-985-6027 to obtain the permit number to insert onto the online Pay.gov form. You must have this number in order to process payment. Please send a copy of the system generated receipt with this application. Or you may send a check or money order along with the application. If you would like to pay by credit or debit card, please pay through pay.gov, DO NOT EMAIL your credit card information with your application.

Pay.gov accepted payment methods:

• Bank account (ACH)
• Paypal account
• Debit or credit card

Make payment via Pay.gov

Park entrance fees also apply.

Other Special Use Permit Conditions
1. First Amendment activities are permitted only at the following locations (see Superintendent’s Compendium for map of specific area at these locations):

• Kīlauea Visitor Center designated area
• Kahuku Unit designated area

2. Other Special Use Permit activities (not including First Amendment) covered by this permit are only allowed at the locations specifically approved on the permit.
3. All activities, including but not limited to the consumption of alcohol, will be in compliance with state and federal laws.
4. All instructions by authorized National Park Service personnel will be complied with immediately.
5. The group shall not exceed 15 persons unless otherwise approved.
6. All trash generated by the activity will be removed from the park and disposed of properly by the permittee. NO items will be left at the site and items may not be stored in the Park. Remove any chairs, paper, trash or other items.
7. Access to the area must be kept open to the public and the permitted activity cannot interfere with normal visitor activity in any manner.
8. The permittee and participants will not disturb, adversely effect, alter, damage or remove any natural/cultural resources, archeological or historic artifacts.
9. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS; also known as drones) are prohibited.
10.Canopies, pop-up tents, tarps, or similar items must be approved in advance in writing.
11. Violation of the terms and conditions of the permit may result in the immediate revocation of the permit and/or other law enforcement action.