Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve will close Aug. 3 611, 2026, so crews can finally tackle the preserve's 35-year-old sewer system that serves comfort stations at both the beach and parking lot levels. The work includes installing a new lift station and repairing manholes and the wet well, and officials are already warning of another short closure in early 2027 when that new lift station is brought online. City leaders say the multistage project is designed to cut down on sewer outages and protect both the bay's water quality and visitor facilities.
The closure dates were announced this week, with the first shutdown set for Aug. 3 611 and a second temporary closure planned for early 2027, according to Hawaii News Now. The outlet reports the full project is expected to be finished by summer 2027.
What the project covers
Per the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, crews will clean and rehabilitate beach-level sewer manholes, repair the wet well at the bottom of the beach ramp, replace the parking-lot lift station and reconnect it to the existing force main. The upgrades also include new sensor and audio alarm systems with autodial capability and associated power connections to automatically alert operators if something goes wrong.
Jas W. Glover Limited landed the $1,823,000 construction contract, with SEY Engineers Inc. handling design consultation, according to Hawaii News Now. The city says contractors will focus on weekday work and expects the overall effort to wrap by summer 2027.
What visitors need to know
The city says construction will run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Crews are expected to lean on Mondays and Tuesdays, the preserve's regular closed days, to keep disruptions for beachgoers and snorkelers to a minimum, according to the city announcement. Anyone with questions about the schedule or construction impacts can contact the Department of Design and Construction at (808) 768800.
Why the upgrades matter
Hanauma Bay routinely sees thousands of visitors a day, and park reports over the years have flagged sewer backups and aging pipes as repeat troublemakers. A city carrying capacity study and other park documents point to frequent sewer issues and heavy visitor loads that highlight the need for full-on replacement work, according to the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation.
Officials say they will announce exact dates for the 2027 closure once the schedule is locked in. Anyone planning an August visit is being urged to check official city channels for updates before heading out.
