The Department of Land and Natural Resources has suspended issuing camping and day use permits for the remote Kalalau Trail, Kalalau Valley camping area in the Na Pali Coast State Park, and Polihale campground, due to an approaching front and
The Department of Land and Natural Resources has suspended issuing camping and day use permits for the remote Kalalau Trail, Kalalau Valley camping area in the Na Pali Coast State Park, and Polihale campground, due to an approaching front and weather forecasts.
DLNR’s Division of State Parks Kaua‘i district office is also not issuing camping permits for the Koke‘e State Park campground, due to possible hazard from falling trees and branches from strong wind and rain.
“Due to forecasts of downpours that may increase from an approaching front this week and next, no camping or day hiking permits for the Kalalau trail will be issued through next week as a precaution,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson, in a press release. “We encourage persons who were already issued permits for these days to cancel their plans and contact our Kaua‘i parks office for a refund.”
“Our greatest concern is the safety of park users, especially during periods of heavy rain and adverse weather conditions. DLNR advises hikers to avoid going out on trails due to risk of rising streams, flash flooding, falling rocks and trail washouts, falling trees and other natural hazards. People should not try to cross a flooded stream along the Kalalau Trail, or a flooded Polihale access road,” Young said, in the release.
The Kalalau Trail features traverses, exceptionally scenic high sea cliffs and lush stream valleys with plunging waterfalls. The trailhead is located at the end of Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) in Ha‘ena State Park.
Na Pali Coast State Park covers 6,175 acres. It offers a recreational experience under primitive conditions, with choice of a day hike to Hanakapi‘ai (2 miles one-way), or an 11-mile backpacking trip to a primitive camp at Kalalau and overnight stopovers at Hanakapi‘ai and Hanakoa campgrounds.
Day use permits are required on the Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakapi‘ai Valley. No drinking water is available — all water must be treated. Information about state parks is available online at: www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dsp/
For additional information about permits for day use hiking or camping permits on Kaua‘i, contact the DLNR Division of State Parks Kaua‘i district office at 274-3444.
