Shelter in Place Camping Permit Program Set to End at Various Beach Parks

The Shelter in Place camping permit program will discontinue at ‘Anini and Anahola beach parks, starting on March 31.

Recreational camping with county permits will be allowed at these beach parks starting April 30.

Kaua‘i County’s temporary Shelter in Place program was established at the start of the pandemic in Spring 2020 when the county closed recreational camping to avoid large gatherings and wide community spread of COVID-19. Through emergency provisions, five beach parks were identified as areas where houseless individuals could shelter in place – ‘Anini, Anahola, Lydgate, Salt Pond, and Lucy Wright beach parks.

“At this point in our recovery, we have maintained consistently low case counts and our vaccine distribution program is among the best in the nation,” said Mayor Derek SK Kawakami. “To date, we have administered over 37,000 vaccines and our businesses and activities have been operating at Tier 4 – our least restrictive tier – for many months. These factors have led us to this decision to begin reinstating recreational camping, so that all members of our community can once again begin to use our beach parks.”

As the county completes the transition out of its Shelter in Place program, officials will continue to coordinate homeless outreach events across the island, in addition to the daily outreach efforts of various non-profit organizations, to help connect individuals with available assistance and on-island resources.

The last days of the Shelter in Place camping permit program will be as follows:

·‘Anini and Anahola Beach Parks – March 31, 2021
·Lucy Wright Beach Park – April 30, 2021
·Lydgate Beach Park – May 31, 2021
·Salt Pond Beach Park – June 30, 2021

Recreational camping will be open to the general public starting on the following dates.

·‘Anini and Anahola Beach Parks – April 30, 2021
·Lucy Wright Beach Park – May 21, 2021
·Lydgate Beach Park – June 25, 2021
·Salt Pond Beach Park – July 23, 2021

After these opening dates, only individuals with recreational permits from the county Department of Parks and Recreation will be allowed to camp at county beach parks. Camping permit applications are not being accepted at this time; however, more details will be announced prior to the park openings.

County park rangers will continue to remind individuals occupying these parks of the upcoming changes as each closure date draws near.

During the transition periods, the Department of Parks and Recreation will be conducting site cleanup, grounds maintenance, and facility repairs. Community groups interested in assisting the department with these efforts are encouraged to call 808-241-4460 to coordinate.
For more information about county camping permits and the Department of Parks and Recreation, call 808-241-4460. For more information about the Housing Agency’s homeless outreach program, call 808-241-4427.