Keanakolu Ranger & Bunkhouse Cabins Division of Forestry and Wildlife

Description

* Effective 8/17/23, Keanakolu cabin keys picked up from the Kamuela office will be available by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment, please call (808) 974-4221 on the Monday prior to the reserved camping date.  Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of camping reservation. 

Located in the Humu'ula section of Hilo Forest Reserve, these 2 cabins were constructed for a Civilian Conservation Corp camp in the 1930's. The elevation is approximately 5290 ft. A fruit tree orchard is popular from June to October when plums, apples, and pears are available to pick by permit only.
A licensed 4WD vehicle is required to access these cabins.

• There are 5 bed frames in the Ranger Cabin and 20 bedframes in the Bunkhouse.
  No mattresses or linens are provided. ADA accessible.
  
  
• There is no potable water. Catchment water is available for washing dishes in an outside sink. There are no showers or other kitchen facilities.
  
  
• Each cabin has a wood burning stove for heat. A covered outside BBQ pit is available and shared between the two cabin users. Firewood is not provided.
  
  
• Toilet facilities include an outhouse and a composting toilet.

• Cabins are wired with light and outlets for generator hook-up.  Users must bring their own generator. 

Location

Traveling from Hilo or Kona

1. Travel up Daniel K. Inouye Highway 200 to the Mauna Kea Access road.
2. Turn onto the Mauna Kea Access road and proceed for 2.1 miles.
3. Take Mana road which will be a dirt road on the right. 4WD access only.
4. Travel down this road roughly 19 miles, you'll find the Keanakolu cabins located on the right
   (Keys are required to pass through locked gates)

Campsite Map PDF

Special Conditions

Access to the cabins is through Mana road by licensed 4WD vehicles only. The trail is not well maintained and can be difficult to negotiate in wet weather.

Catchment water is available at Keanakolu; purify before drinking.

An additional $60 deposit (cash only) is required per set of keys. The keys can only be picked up on the scheduled check-in date from one of the Big Island DOFAW offices during business hours. If the check-in date falls on a weekend or State holiday, the keys may be picked up the business day prior. The person picking up the keys must be listed on permit. The same person will be responsible for the return of the keys. No drop box is available, keys must be returned to the same office during business hours with 2 business days.

Hilo Office: 19 East Kawili Street / Monday - Friday / 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM / (808) 974-4221
Kamuela Office: 66-1220A Lalamilo Road / Must call the Hilo office the Monday prior to camping reservation to schedule appointment for key arrangements to pick up/drop off at the Kamuela Office. 

The keys must be brought back to the issuing office, checked-in, and issued to the next permit-holder between reservations. Keys may not be passed on to another permit-holding party following your reservation.

No pets and no unlicensed motorized vehicles (ATV, Dirt Bike, etc.) are allowed.

Reservations may be made no less than 7 days and no more than 30 days in advance.

Parties are limited to stays of one weekend only during a 6-month period (Fri-Sun).
Weekdays may be reserved as available with no limitations.

No refunds will be given if requested within 15 days of your first scheduled camping or lodging day.

For any changes, please log-in to your ehawaii.gov account and manage your reservations.

Park Rules and Regulations PDF

Photos