News Release

Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS Increase Recreational Access

Find Your Park Visitor Center Entrance Sign

NPS Ranger M. Tadio

News Release Date: June 4, 2020 Kawaihae, HI – Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Pu'ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site (NHS)  is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.

Beginning June 1, 2020, Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS will reopen access to:  
 

• Covered, open air portions of the park visitor center.
• Open 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily.
• Parking lot will reopen with 10 regular stalls and 2 handicap parking spaces.
• Capacity limit has been established allowing 10 visitors entering the covered /open air portion of the visitor center at a time.

With public health in mind, the following facilities/services remain closed at this time:
 

• Indoor museum and sales outlet. 
• Interpretive talks and Ranger led guided tours (none will be offered)
• Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) and applications for Special Use Permits remain suspended until further notice.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance, and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.  
 

While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders at hawaiicovid19.com practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.

 
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.   

We have amazing cell phone audio tour of Pu'ukoholā Heiau NHS available at times. So for people who are at the park, still home schooling or not traveling at this time, you are invited to access this service through you smartphone browser: ht.ly/MFvTT.


Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/puhe and social media channels @puukoholaheiaunhs. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

www.nps.gov

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 4oo plus national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and other social media accounts.