July 9, 2026

Hanauma Bay’s status as a public nature preserve did not happen by chance. Long before it became one of Hawaiʻi’s most visited marine destinations, the bay was part of the lands entrusted to Kamehameha Schools through the legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, whose estate included Maunalua. In 1928, Kamehameha Schools made a deliberate decision to grant Hanauma Bay, along with Koko Head and Koko Crater, to the City and County of Honolulu for one dollar, with the clear condition that the land be used as a recreational park. That decision ensured long-term public access and shaped how the bay would be cared for over time.

In the years following the land grant, Hanauma Bay was far less developed and far less known than it is today. Access was limited, and the bay functioned primarily as a local shoreline rather than an international destination. As Maunalua grew and more people were drawn to the bay’s calm waters and reef, the question became not whether Hanauma Bay would be used, but how it would be protected. The foundation laid by Kamehameha Schools made it possible for the bay to remain a public place, even as the need for active management became clear. That need would go on to shape the decisions that define Hanauma Bay today.

In 1967, the State of Hawaiʻi designated the bay as the state’s first Marine Life Conservation District, prohibiting fishing and the removal of marine life. This designation marked a shift in how the bay was viewed, from a heavily used recreational area to a living ecosystem requiring active stewardship. Continuous monitoring by state biologists has since shown that Hanauma Bay supports one of the largest reef fish biomasses around Oʻahu, demonstrating the impact of consistent protection and management.

Today, Hanauma Bay is managed through a coordinated partnership that includes the City and County of Honolulu, the State of Hawaiʻi, the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program, and the nonprofit Friends of Hanauma Bay. Each plays a role in protecting the bay’s natural resources while ensuring it remains accessible to the public. Education has become central to that effort. Before entering the water, visitors learn about reef safety and conservation, reinforcing that Hanauma Bay is not simply a beach, but a carefully protected nature preserve.

Management practices have continued to evolve over time. An online reservation system was recently introduced to better manage daily visitor numbers, and non-resident entry fees are used to support maintenance, education, and staffing at the nature preserve. During the extended closure in 2020, researchers observed clearer water, increased fish presence, and more frequent visits by monk seals, offering a powerful reminder of how responsive the bay can be when given time to recover. Those observations continue to inform how Hanauma Bay is managed today.

Although Hanauma Bay is no longer part of Kamehameha Schools’ landholdings, the bay remains part of its land lineage and its history in Maunalua. The 1928 land grant reflects an approach to stewardship that prioritizes long-term community benefit. It is a tangible example of how lands entrusted to Kamehameha Schools have been used to shape public spaces that serve both people and place.

Today, responsibility for Hanauma Bay is shared among public agencies, partners, and the community. Nearly a century after Kamehameha Schools placed these lands into public trust, the bay remains a shared resource, protected through collaboration and ongoing care.