• KAUAI is known for its beauty. The main attractions are the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Lovers of wildlife will find native plants and birds in the Kokee region and the nearby Alakai Swamp.

 

• The best area is Kokee State Park, elev 4000 ft. There are cabins and several campgrounds. You'll need a car to get there. This area was once considered for part of a national park because of its spectacular views into the valleys of the Na Pali coast, its proximity to Waimea Canyon, and its native bird and plant life.
• There are many trails to explore. We can recommend the Awaawapuhi Trail for a 1/2 day hike and the Awaawapuhi-Nualolo loop (7 miles RT) for a full day hike. The Awaawapuhi Trail begins about half way between the Kokee park headquarters and the Kalalau Lookout, off the road to the left. You will descend to a narrow ridge between two of the most isolated and inaccessible valleys of the Na Pali Coast. There are several views you are guaranteed never to forget. You can connect to the Nualolo trail and follow it to return to the main road in back of the park headquarters. (Inquire at the museum about trail conditions before starting.)
• For a shorter walk with continuous views into Kalalau Valley try the first 1.5 miles or so of the Pihea Trail which begins along an abandoned roadbed just beyond the second Kalalau Valley lookout at Puu O Kila. Beyond the roadbed this trail leads through an especially lush rain forest at the rim of the valley to the Pihea lookout. From there, if you don't mind mud, you can continue down into a series of boggy gulches and eventually join the Alakai Swamp Trail (3.3 miles).
• There are also some short trails along the rim of Waimea Canyon and several others that lead into the Alakai Swamp. Ask at the Kokee Museum. Maps are available from the Kauai District Forester, 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, HI 96766 (808-241-3444).
• If you wish to stay in the cabins reserve well in advance. Contact Kokee Lodge, P.O. Box 518, Kekaha, HI 96752 (808-335-6061).
• If walking for miles on an empty beach appeals to you, or if it is raining everywhere else, visit Polihale State Park. This is the driest part of the island and is miles from anywhere.
• Alternatively, on the north shore a popular and beautiful trail leads to Hanakapiai Valley from the end of the road at Kee Beach. (This is the first 2 miles of the famous Kalalau Trail, also called the Na Pali Coast Trail.) From Hanakapiai Beach you can take a loop trail into the valley and if the stream is not too high you can hike all the way to spectacular Hanakapiai Falls at the head of the valley.

 

• The Kalalau Trail is probably the best known trail in Hawaii. There are three camping areas, Hanakapiai Valley (2 miles in), Hanakoa Valley (6 miles), and Kalalau Valley (11 miles). The trail climbs in and out of these valleys and skirts precipices high above the ocean. The combination of green foliage, turquoise water, caves, waterfalls, knife edged ridges and fluted cliffs makes this a very special trip. Plan for 3-5 days or longer. You can get away without a tent if you plan to camp in Kalalau Valley only. It is drier there and there are caves along the beach for shelter as long as the surf isn't up (high surf likely October to April). Be sure to have a Division of State Parks permit. The resident ranger will ask to see it. (The trail head at Kee Beach is not a good place to leave a car. Hitchhiking is possible. Consider flying to Princeville which is closer to the trailhead than Lihue.)
• Much less traveled, the Kukui Trail descends 2.5 miles and 2000 ft. into Waimea Canyon. (The trailhead, off the Iliau Nature Loop, is about 3 miles past the junction of Routes 50 and 55 on the road to Kokee. This is also a fine place from which to view the canyon without crowds and tour buses.) From the bottom of the Kukui Trail we recommend that you go upstream and into Koaie Canyon where beautiful pools and waterfalls invite you to camp (about 3 miles). This is a nice 2-3 day trip.

 

• There have been reports of harassment at some of the state and county roadside campgrounds. We recommend Kokee and Polihale as the safest. Permits must be obtained from Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks, P.O. Box 1671, 3060 Eiwa St., Lihue, HI 96766 (808-274-3445). It is best to write in advance. Kahili Mountain Park is a 215 acre private campground. Cabins are available. Write P.O. Box 298, Koloa, HI 96756 (808-742-9921).

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