State parks and parking

Question

Hoping these is my last questions for the day.

1. Is there any free parking near kapalua coastal trail and nakalele blowhole?

2. Is there a safe path to walk from the Hilton vacation club at kanaapali Beach to the kanaapali Beach walk? From Google maps, it looks like it starts a bit south of the Hilton.

3. Other than iao Valley, waiʻānapanapa, and sunrise for haleakala, do any other parks require reservations too?

Thank you to everyone for all your help.

Answer

Here’s some detailed guidance for your Maui state park and walking questions:

1. Parking near Kapalua Coastal Trail and Nakalele Blowhole:

Kapalua Coastal Trail: There is limited free parking near the starting point of the trail at Kapalua Bay Beach and along the small pullouts near the trail access. Weekdays are easier for finding a spot, while weekends can get crowded. Always park legally off the roadway.
Nakalele Blowhole: There is a small free parking lot at the Nakalele Point area. It can fill up quickly, so arriving early is recommended. Some people park along the roadside, but be cautious as traffic can be fast and shoulders narrow.

2. Walking path from Hilton Vacation Club at Kaanapali Beach to the Kaanapali Beach Walk:

Yes, you can safely access the Kaanapali Beach Walk from the Hilton area. While the formal trail officially starts just south of the Hilton, there are paved paths and sidewalks along the resort stretch that connect you to the main Beach Walk. Walking along the beachfront areas and resort walkways is safe and scenic.

3. State parks requiring reservations:

You already mentioned Iao Valley, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, and Haleakala Sunrise as reservation-required sites.
Other parks that may require reservations for parking or access are generally more specialized:
- Molokini Crater snorkeling tours (technically a marine life conservation area, not a state park, but requires booking).
- Haleakalā summit bike tours sometimes require advance permits for guided tours.
- Most other state parks, beaches, and trails on Maui do not require reservations and are first-come, first-served. However, popular parking lots can fill quickly, especially on weekends or holidays.

Tip: Arrive early to any popular trail or lookout to secure parking and avoid crowds, particularly at Nakalele Blowhole and Kapalua Coastal Trail on weekends.