Hāʻena Reservation System
Your Complete Guide to Securing Access to Paradise
Written by a Kauaʻi Local Expert
Leilani AkoThe One and Only Official Portal: GoHaena.com
All reservations for Hāʻena State Park must be made through the official website: GoHaena.com.
A Critical Warning from a Local
Please, do not use third-party websites or resellers that claim to have special access or sell park passes. These are not legitimate. Reservations are strictly non-transferable, and park staff will check your ID upon arrival to ensure it matches the name on the reservation. If they don't match, you will be denied entry with no refund.
Step-by-Step Booking Walkthrough
Navigating the website can feel intense, especially when you know spots are limited. Here's the exact process to follow:
1. Go to GoHaena.com
Familiarize yourself with the layout before you try to book.
2. Select Your Access Type
You will be presented with options for a "Shuttle + Entry Pass," "Parking + Entry Pass," or "Pass Only." We will break these down in detail below.
3. Know the Booking Window
Reservations become available exactly 30 days in advance at 12:00 AM Hawaiʻi Standard Time (HST). For example, reservations for August 30th open at 12:00 AM HST on July 31st. Use a time zone converter to figure out what time this is where you live. It is crucial to be online at this exact moment, especially for parking passes.
4. Have Your Information Ready
You will need the full name of every person in your party, including infants (ages 0-3 are free but must be on the reservation), and your credit card information. To save precious seconds, I highly recommend using your browser's autofill feature to populate these fields quickly.
The Big Decision: Parking Pass vs. Shuttle Pass Analysis
This is the most common point of confusion for visitors. Which pass should you get? The answer depends on your group size, budget, and desired flexibility. Here is a breakdown to help you decide.
Parking + Entry Pass
- Official Source: GoHaena.com
- Cost (Non-Resident): $10 per vehicle per time slot plus $5 per person for entry
- Availability: Extremely limited. Sells out in seconds. Only about 70 visitor stalls are available per day.
- Flexibility: High. You can arrive any time after your slot begins and must leave by the time it ends.
- Best For: Determined early planners who get lucky, families with a lot of beach gear, or those who need maximum schedule flexibility.
- Key Detail: To stay all day, you must book multiple time slots (e.g., Morning: 6:30am–12:30pm + Afternoon: 12:30pm–5:30pm).
Shuttle + Entry Pass (Recommended)
- Official Source: GoHaena.com
- Cost (Non-Resident): $40/adult (16+), $25/child (4-15)
- Availability: Much higher availability. This is the recommended and most reliable option for the majority of visitors.
- Flexibility: Moderate. You are tied to a shuttle schedule. Your departure is at a reserved time, but the return is first-come, first-served from any stop.
- Best For: The vast majority of visitors. It is a guaranteed, stress-free way to access the park without the frenzy of trying for a parking pass.
- Key Detail: You MUST ride the shuttle. Your shuttle ticket is not valid for entry if you drive your own car to the park.
Entry-Only Pass
- Official Source: GoHaena.com
- Cost (Non-Resident): $5 per person
- Availability: Generally available, but requires a pre-arranged legal drop-off. You cannot park and walk in.
- Flexibility: High. You can arrive and leave at will, but you are entirely dependent on your arranged ride.
- Best For: Visitors who are biking in, those staying in nearby Wainiha or Hāʻena with a pre-approved shuttle pickup, or those being dropped off by a local friend.
- Key Detail: This pass cannot be used with a rental car parked illegally on the highway. Fines are steep, and you will be turned away.
ℹ️ Booking Essentials
- Website: GoHaena.com
- Booking Opens: 12:00 AM HST
- Days Ahead: 30 days
- Parking Spots: ~70 per day
- ID Required: Yes, strictly
💰 Pass Costs
- Parking Pass $10 + $5/pp
- Shuttle Adult $40
- Shuttle Child $25
- Entry Only $5/pp
A Deeper Look at the Shuttle Routes
If you choose the shuttle, you have two departure points. It's important to know the difference:
Waipā Park & Ride (Hanalei)
This is the main shuttle hub with ample FREE parking available until dusk. Shuttles depart frequently, running about every 20 minutes from 6:20 AM, making it the most flexible and convenient option for most visitors. If you are driving to the North Shore, this is your best bet.
Princeville Makai Golf Club
This stop has NO PARKING and is designed for guests staying at nearby Princeville resorts who can walk to the pickup point. It has fewer, specific departure times (e.g., 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM). On the return trip, Princeville guests transfer to a dedicated shuttle in Hanalei for the final leg back to their resort area.
My Insider Tips: How to ACTUALLY Get a Reservation
Trying to get a parking pass can feel like winning the lottery, but there are ways to increase your chances. This is the strategy I share with all my visiting friends.
The 12:00 AM HST Scramble
This is your first and best shot. Be on the GoHaena.com website before the clock strikes midnight in Hawaiʻi. Have your party's information and credit card saved in your browser's autofill. The moment it turns 12:00 AM HST, refresh the page, select your pass, and check out as fast as you can. The parking passes are often completely gone in under 60 seconds.
⭐ The 12:15 AM Second Chance (The Golden Ticket)
This is my secret weapon, and it works. Many people who grab a pass at midnight fail to complete their purchase, or their payment is declined. The system holds these reservations for about 15 minutes before releasing them back into the wild. Start refreshing the reservation page continuously from about 12:15 AM to 12:20 AM HST. I have seen all time slots, seemingly sold out, suddenly become available again during this window. This is how I've snagged "sold out" parking passes for friends on multiple occasions.
Check for Cancellations
People's plans change, and they must cancel at least 48 hours in advance for a refund (less a fee). This means spots can open up unexpectedly in the days leading up to your desired date. If you're feeling lucky, check the website periodically. You might just find a miracle opening.
Plan B: What to Do If You Can't Get a Reservation
So you tried everything and still came up empty-handed. Don't despair! Your trip to the North Shore is far from ruined. Many visitors will not get a reservation due to the high demand, but this is where having local knowledge helps. Instead of just giving up, here are some fantastic alternatives that give you a true North Shore experience.
Hāʻena Beach Park
Right next door to the state park, this beautiful county beach offers a similar vibe, great views, and has restrooms, showers, and lifeguards. Parking is limited and free, so arrive early.
Lumahai Beach
Famous for its role in the movie South Pacific, this is one of the most stunningly beautiful beaches on Kauaʻi. However, be extremely cautious; the surf here is powerful and dangerous. This is a place for breathtaking photos from the sand, not for swimming.
ʻAnini Beach
This is one of the safest, most family-friendly beaches on the North Shore. It's protected by a long fringing reef, creating a calm, shallow lagoon that is perfect for beginner snorkelers and children, even on days when other beaches are rough.
Nāpali Coast Boat Tours
The most dramatic views of the Nāpali Coast are arguably from the ocean, looking back at the towering cliffs. Book a catamaran or raft tour. These tours often include snorkeling and give you a perspective of the coastline that is impossible to get from inside the park.
Hike with a Different View in Kōkeʻe State Park
For an equally spectacular, yet completely different, Nāpali experience, drive up to Kōkeʻe State Park. Trails like the Pihea Vista Trail and the Awaʻawapuhi Trail take you along the rim of the cliffs, offering jaw-dropping views down into the same verdant valleys you would hike through from below. You'll need to pay a park entrance and parking fee at Kōkeʻe, but no advance reservation is required.