:Mauna Kea State Recreation Area

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox protected area

| name = Mauna Kea State Recreation Area

| alt_name =

| iucn_category =

| photo = MaunaKeaStatePark.jpg

| photo_alt =

| photo_caption = Mauna Kea in background

| photo_width =

| map = Hawaii

| map_alt =

| map_caption =

| map_width =

| location = Hawaii

| nearest_city =

| coordinates = {{coord|19|44|57|N|155|31|35|W|region:US-HI|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| coords_ref =

| area = {{Convert|20.5|acre}}

| established =

| governing_body = State of Hawaii

| url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070419215525/http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/maunakea.cfm

}}

Mauna Kea State Recreation Area also known as Mauna Kea State Park, is a state of Hawaii protected area at the southern base of Mauna Kea.

The {{Convert|20.5|acre|adj=on}} park is administered by the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

The park is located on Saddle Road (Route 200) {{convert|35|mi}} west of Hilo, at {{coord |19|44|57|N| 155|31|35|W|type:landmark_region:US-HI| display=inline }} with about {{convert|6500|ft}} elevation. Facilities include restrooms, cabins and camping, trash cans, and a picnic area. {{As of|2010}} water improvements are planned.{{cite web |title= Mauna Kea State Recreation Area |work= Hawai‘i Capital Improvement Projects for Recreational Infrastructure web site |url=http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/recreate/improvement-plans/hawaii/mauna-kea-state-recreation-area |accessdate= August 23, 2010 }}

Wild pigs and sheep can be hunted in the area. The dry shrublands get cold at night due to the elevation.

The nearby Bradshaw Field, a military airstrip on the Pohakuloa Training Area, and artillery practices can disturb the quiet of the site.{{cite web|title=Mauna Kea State Recreation Area |work=official state park web site |url=http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/maunakea.cfm |accessdate=August 23, 2010 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070419215525/http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/hawaii/maunakea.cfm |archive-date=April 19, 2007 }}

On August 18, 2009 Senator Daniel Inouye and other officials held a ceremony at the park marking the third phase of the realignment of the Saddle Road. The first three phases improved 22 miles of the {{convert|55|mi|adj=on}} road, through the {{convert|8|mi}} west of the park and {{convert|14|mi}} east of the park.{{cite news |title= On the road to completion: Third phase of Saddle improvements done |author= Chelsea Jensen |newspaper= West Hawaii Today |url= http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/08/19/local/local03.txt |date= August 19, 2009 |accessdate= August 23, 2010 }}

On August 22, 2010, a fire broke out between the park and the training area. Dry conditions, strong winds, and steep terrain hampered fighting efforts, although military helicopters were used.{{cite news |title= Pohakuloa brush fire closes Saddle Road |author= Carolyn Lucas-Zenk |newspaper= West Hawaii Today |url= http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/08/24/local/local03.txt |date= August 24, 2010 |accessdate= August 29, 2010 }}

The fire burned for over a week, with traffic diverted to the older saddle road and the park closed down.{{cite news |title= Pohakuloa brush fire closes Saddle Road |work= Hawaii 24/7 |url= http://www.hawaii247.com/2010/08/29/mauna-kea-wildfire-60-percent-contained/ |date= August 29, 2010 |accessdate= August 29, 2010 }}

In 2014, Hawaiʻi County took over management from the state in 2014 to improve the facilities."$10.5M renovation coming to Mauna Kea Recreation Area", West Hawaii Today, February 10, 2016. http://westhawaiitoday.com/news/local-news/105m-renovation-coming-mauna-kea-recreation-area