By Staff Reports
(Oahu)– A project to repair the ocean-access stairs leading from Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park into Kewalo Basin Harbor Channel (Stairs #2 in the below map) is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. These are the stairs located on the Diamond Head-side of Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park, which are commonly used by surfers, scuba divers, and other ocean-goers for access to the near-shore water and surf breaks such as Point Panic and Kewalos.
The project includes repairs and cleaning of the concrete stairway and its metal railings. The work is scheduled to be conducted on non-holiday weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but off-hour work may be conducted based on the tides.
Public use of these stairs will be restricted for the entirety of the project. This will ensure the safety of ocean-goers, while providing the contractor better access to the stairs and the ability to finish their work more quickly. The project is expected to be completed, and the stairway reopened to the public, before the end of March 2026 tidal conditions permitting.
During the closure of the Point Panic Stairway, ocean-goers will be able to access the water utilizing the stairs near the middle of Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park (labeled as Stairs #1 in the above map) in between the Incinerators and Flies surf breaks. We appreciate the patience and understanding of the Kaka‘ako surfing and ocean recreation community during this project.
The $85,600 contract for the repairs was awarded to Abhe & Svoboda, Inc., funded by the State of Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority (HCDA) in conjunction with the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR).
Jurisdiction of Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park and Kewalo Basin Park were transferred from HCDA to DPR in November 2019. In total 41-acres of land, including roadways and parking lots, were part of that transfer. The State continues to partner with the City regarding maintenance of nearshore areas of these parks.
Additional improvement projects slated for Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park in 2026 include repairing spalling concrete on the short wall along the shoreline promenade, with assistance from DPR specialized maintenance staff.