The Department of Land and Natural Resources this weekend reopened the Kalalau trail and resumed issuing camping permits for the Na Pali Coast State Park. Permit issuance was suspended on April 16 after reports came in of possible hazardous trail
The Department of Land and Natural Resources this weekend reopened the Kalalau trail and resumed issuing camping permits for the Na Pali Coast State Park.
Permit issuance was suspended on April 16 after reports came in of possible hazardous trail conditions. A DLNR parks crew inspected the trail last week and performed routine repair and maintenance in the Pohakuao section beyond Hanakoa.
The crew also cleaned up the Hanakoa and Kalalau camping areas.
“Trail closure was a temporary measure to protect public safety while we checked on conditions following two reports,” said Peter Young, DLNR chairperson, in a press release.
The Kalalau Trail traverses exceptionally scenic high sea cliffs and lush stream valleys with plunging waterfalls.
The trail head 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/
To obtain 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.
