What’s happening at Haena State Park on Kauai is an excellent example of regenerative travel, albeit not without controversy. Travel writer Peter Greenberg came here to report on his recent PBS Series, Travel Detective: Hidden Gems, which features Kauai. You can watch his show in today’s post below. This type of travel paradigm is new and surprises and upsets some return visitors. A case in point is what Bruce wrote in a comment:
“We looked forward to returning to Kauai after 6 years. The biggest shock were the fees being charged by state parks ($10 per vehicle and $5 per person) and the need to reserve a spot at Kee Beach just so you can walk along the Na Pali coast. It turns out the reserved spots had been taken within minutes of their being made available! So how are you supposed to get to enjoy that area?? Besides, the whole reservation system seems ridiculous. It was never needed before the pandemic. So much for welcoming tourists back to Hawaii.”
On the other side of the issue, we, too, remember what it was like before. Almost 3,000 cars a day visited the area, so many people were vying for a spot on the beach. It was simply out of control. We’d given up on going there. Fast forward to what it would look like today in 2022, with our increased number of visitors. Something seemed to be needed, which led to changes that reduced cars to 900 daily.
It was reported that the Kauai Visitor Bureau, part of the recently fired HVCB, paid for travel writers including Greenberg, USAToday, and others to participate in what is colloquially called a “Fam” trip. These familiarization trips are helpful when it comes to sharing new travel trends such as this with writers. The objective is for visitors to feel more trust in the information disseminated by a writer following the trip.
Haena State Park’s new visitor rules.
A New Day at Haena is the phrase that was used after the park underwent significant improvements after historic flooding in 2019 and led to the creation of the reservation and shuttle system, parking controls, and limitations. The re-imagining of tourism also underwent tweaks and further consideration during and after park closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
These changes include mandatory visitor reservations for access to the park by car or shuttle and include Kee Beach and the famous Kalalau Trail. There are currently three parks in Hawaii that all have similar systems in place, the others being Diamond Head on Oahu and Waianapanapa State Park on Maui. All require an advance reservation for visitors only.
Governor Ige’s announcement said, “Last summer, national television travel host Peter Greenberg spent several days on Kauai producing an episode of The Travel Detective: Hidden Gems, which airs on public television stations around the country. The program has begun airing and is the latest to focus national attention on what’s called regenerative tourism.”
The state said its State Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell met with Greenberg at Haena State Park and explained how they “re-imagined visitation to this popular park.” Cottrell said, “Public land managers are looking at solutions to curbing what has been called over-tourism. We are grateful for and need the national media to help tell the global visitor industry there’s a new normal. Make your preparations before you come to Hawaii.”
Parking or Shuttle Reservations are challenging to obtain.
This is part of the problem for visitors who may not know of the rule changes and those who do not plan ahead. Reservations open online 30 days in advance and go quickly, sometimes within minutes. The first to sell out is parking, and the second is the shuttle. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll simply be turned away.
“The problem we have on a global scale is entitlement.” — Peter Greenberg.
Greenberg said, “People think they’re entitled to visit a place and do whatever they want. They’re entitled to be responsible. And once that happens, then they can be entitled to have a great experience. Community management has come into play, not necessarily as a matter of regulating but as a matter of educating. Once you do that, the regulation takes care of itself.
Just last week, the Board of Land and Natural Resources approved a second, one-year-long revocable permit for Hui Makaainana o Makana to manage visitors at the park. The community group helped lead the new management paradigm at the Haena and Napali parks.
Chipper Wichman, one of the group’s original founders, said, “We created the hui back in 1999 to create a mechanism for us to be able to take care of this sacred landscape. We had the vision to empower the community to help take care of this area, as it was crying out for care. We wanted to restore the integrity of the land and build a relationship with the DLNR so our community view would be recognized and allowed to co-manage the area with the Division of State Parks. That is one component of regenerative tourism.”
Where do you stand on this issue?
Parks Administrator Curt Cottrell concluded, “There is no one recipe on how to manage sensitive cultural and natural resources and fluctuating visitor industry. However, we have shown that being innovative and trying to reduce the impacts to park neighbors and rural communities empowers them to help us manage these once hidden but now highly sought-after gems. There are a lot of moving parts to work with, and that’s the adaptation part.”
Greenberg added that what happened at Haena is essential and can be modeled worldwide at other natural, scenic, and cultural sites that have or are experiencing over-visitation.
Watch The Travel Detective: Hidden Gems of Kaua’i with host Peter Greenberg:
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Used to be my favorite place on the planet will never go back they have ruined Ke’e beach and the North shore in a very greedy and unhawaiian way. Such a shame! Such a change! There’s other tropical places with even clearer water That’s where I’m going for now on.
Once again, it has turned into the playground of the wealthy. Thinly veiled in the article, but not outright stated, is that the permits “disappear” within minutes of becoming available. That’s because they are ending up in the hands of the weathiest, highest bidder. What’s wrong with allowing those who get there earlier get to stay? The fat cats in the expensive hotels would have to get up early. Follow the money and you’ll see who’s illegally hoarding passes!
Hi David B, the simple Fact that I hear is that the bridges need replacing, The Engineers should have said their plans and when it became confrontational walked out. Build the bridges and have them Blessed, no need to give in to mob mentality.
It’s hard to explain the dynamic that went on in our neighborhood for at least the first year of the road closure. Think Lord of the Flies; Not Robert’s Rules of Order. Keep in mind the background of identity/grievance politics, and Hawaii is a deep blue state. I don’t know what eventually got worked out, but those families wanted to get paid before those bridges could be touched. Buy the way, the bridges were all repaired/replaced in the exact dimensions and load carrying capacity as the old bridges.
I am a 40 year Kaua’i resident and have spent 30 of those years on the North Shore. I have slowly watched the increase of tourism and what has come with it – the traffic, lack of parking and most importantly the erosion of the delicate infrastructure on our little island and realize that something had to happen especially for our precious and isolated North Shore. I absolutely support these changes and believe we need more of them around the island.
Hi Marie, deciding to stop most of what you have enjoyed for 3 decades is aweful. To do so because you don’t want to upset, offend or enrage the “locals” shows that They are the true problem, not You. Aloha. Must truly be a lacking sentiment amongst that elitist crowd and shows how much distance has come between Them and Us. If Tourism disappeared from that Island imagine the displeasure that would turn against Them, an interesting and appealing thought. Enjoy the Island and don’t give up a thing.
I’ve been visiting Kauai for almost 30 years. I no longer drive to Kee Beach, hike the Napali or even waste my gas money going to Hanalei. I don’t want to burden the locals or the environment. The charges for parking at the canyon make the hiking undesirable. I don’t even eat out so that the locals can feel safe from any virus or germs I may have. I still enjoy the island, especially since I don’t have to spend very much money there. Aloha to all!
I’m a 36 year Kauai resident who lives the same way-I live in Lihue,walk and swim at Kalapaki,Kauai Lagoons and no longer drive to different areas—it seems like a hassle,,somehow not fun anymore-but maybe it’s not a bad way to live -pick an area and remain in that vicinity
Maybe ten years ago, I was getting a haircut at Kawamoto’s on Rice street. The barber and I did the usual chit-chat. It came up that I was living in Wainiha (far north shore), about 35 miles from his shop. He stated he had not gone past Kapa’a in 25 years. Said that he’d gone to the north shore back then, didn’t like it, and had never gone back. But to be fair, we rarely have gone south/west past the Costco in the last several years. It’s a relatively small island, but with all the traffic, a 50 mile drive can take (at least) two hours.
Hi David.
Based on your locale and travel, and ours, we aren’t likely to run into one another, even on an island this small. Funny, we’re more likely to see you traveling to and from California.
Aloha.
“There are currently three parks in Hawaii that all have similar systems in place, the others being Diamond Head on Oahu and Waianapanapa State Park on Maui. All require an advance reservation for visitors only.” The part I have a problem with is “for visitors only”. If you are trying to control crowds then locals should have to follow the same rules. I imagine it would be extremely hard to gauge how many visitors you can allow if locals are not included in the numbers. It also creates another instance of us vs them.
All in all, the Haena situation has improved mostly, but now that people without reservations get turned back they all pretty much end up in Hanalei. So now Hanalei is very congested. There are not enough restaurants, beach parking and infrastructure to allow all of these people in this small town at one time. Hangry tourists and residents trying to carry on with their daily life tasks etc is kind of a hot mess.
The reservation system for Haena is a joke – impossible to get reservations for most island visitors. If you are able to get a shuttle reservation the cost is $35 per person ($140 for a family of 4) This is outrageous gouging by Kauai especially when one considers that the cost and access for residents who wish to park is free. This is out and out discrimination and should be declared illegal.
In California, it’s often noted we live on stolen land. The same is true in Hawaii. I don’t have any problem paying fees or abiding by a reservation system that allows native cultures to recoup and maintain what was once theirs. Plus, the previous crowds made it in unenjoyable in just about every way.
I’m very interested in where you will go to not be on “stolen land”. I’d really like a reply
Hi Franky, frankly Hawaii isn’t Stolen Land, California isn’t either. All 5o States are not Stolen Either! Work your way around the World and unless Illegal Elections Occur it’s not Stolen Land, I don’t know where you have been getting your misinformation from but you should really get a New, Better, and Legitimate One!
Hi guys
Frustrating you allow ernie to “correct” me and others, yet do not allow my comments about his opinions.
Thanks for your posts, I usually like them
Are you kidding? There are tons of beautiful places with better sand and better water for that matter all over the world I’m not going back to HI
Hi Sherill C. The People who claim that the “Land is Stolen” whether in Hawaii or California pervert History, they have Zero Clue as to the Truth! Most people know that it’s a lie and leave it at that. Enjoy the State of Hawaii, plenty to see and do, Respect the Land and People only looking for the same from them. Rest Assured the Land was not stolen, the Historical Records are Proof of that!
Ernie, apparently you do not feel that “stolen” is synonymous with “overthrown”, as in which The overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom was a coup d’état against Queen Liliʻuokalani, which took place on January 17, 1893…
Kauai is definitely not a place to spend your money. I am tired of hearing how tourist “trash” the islands.
I see plenty of REALLY trashy, ghetto looking houses with junk cars all along the Honoapiilani highway in Lahania. I have also seen many drunk locals at some beaches leaving trash on the beaches. I think the tourist are being used as scapegoats for the locals who have no regard for their on island.
I agree. We went every year for 20 years. Never again.
My great grandfather(Moses M) and grandma (Nancy P) both born in Kalalau valley, Napali coast. My great grandfather was once the Konohiki of Kalalau, Nualolo and Miloli’i. (Get palapala)… I myself once worked for da DLNR along da Napali as multi-trail expert. I have witness da destructiveness from all walks of life(not just da tourist, though they play a big role)… I do believe dat, what Curt Cottrell, Chipper Whichman (and many others) did “is da best thing dat ever happen for da Haena and Napali coast state parks”… Mahalo nui
Ummm, Lahaina is on a different island. Maui, not Kauai.
True. I’m sorry, I am very conscious of the way I treat the area I visit as well as the area I live. My husband and I moved to the Big Island in October. We are not wealthy, we do not live in a mansion, we live in a small home in a subdivision. My neighbors do not care about their yard, they have not mowed until last week since March! If you drove down the road, there are homes that have abandoned vehicles, trashed window shades, crap everywhere, next door to homes that are well maintained. So, there is a mixture for sure. So, I’m not convinced it is the tourists fault that things turn into a mess.
I can’t Vouch for all of the Islands but I can for some of the Beaches on Oahu, parking area’s and a few other places too. As you’ve noted, locals push the blame of littering on Tourists when they are the perpetrators, the same is True on Oahu. Some locals are very good people and some aren’t, that is found everywhere. Houses in various displays of decline can be found, typically in crime ridden area’s. Code Enforcement Actions could deal with it, declaring Unfit for Human Habitation, rip them down or sell them off, why don’t they? Clean up All of the Eyesores and Trash, Stop pushing Blame!
Just visited Kauai and Ke’e beach. My MIL was able to get us reservations 30 days in advance for shuttle tickets. I thought it worked out great! Shuttle parking was easy and the ride was scenic back and forth. I think this system is great and helps maintain the integrity of those parts of the island. Even with the reservation system there were still a lot of people on the beach. I couldn’t imagine how it would look without the regulation system. I’m all for it if it helps the land and the people who live there.
Well I’ve seen what it is without reservation system it was a much much better. And if you couldn’t fit us a little parking lot you can walk down the road and there was one there. You’re now constricted in your time your movements and everything else and it’s a huge huge rip off I mean are you kidding me? You don’t see that?
Unfortunately, this is a sign of more changes for Hawaii tourism. Kauai has always been my favorite island. Simply because it has remained mainly “untouched” through the decades. I remember back when Princeville was built, realizing this was the start of development of condos, time shares, etc. Also, realizing that local people would never be able to afford these very pricey enclaves. What else is there to do? Park fees, etc are necessary to keep the aina that makes Hawaii so special. Kauai residents realized that something needed to be done to protect the beautiful island of Kauai. As a former kamaaina, I will also have to pay usage fees to visit Hawaii’s attractions when I’m lucky enough to return and visit. No gripes.
Hi Dave B, Thank You for your insight and knowledge of the process. Too many times there isn’t verification to prevent things from happening. Ernie
Kama’aina now living in Oregon and they have just done this same shuttle/ reservation system for the Columbia Historic Highway and waterfalls in the gorge. Locals hate it because now we have to contend with tourists- However, it’s a necessary evil. Too many people were trashing the trails. As for the commenter who mentioned tourists as the cash crop, kudos to Hawai’i for moving away from tourism and finding ways to be more economically independent. That’s the one thing locals seemed to agree on after the pandemic – Hawai’i first. It’s been too long coming.
Hawaii moving away from tourism? Only thing that can replace that is development and real estate sales. Only thing that can sell real estate is tourism.
Hi Kapuuanani C, sorry if I didn’t spell correctly. Limitations on access and charging fees hopefully will benefit the ecological “damages” done. Other than these changes in a few areas there’s not a reason for celebration or congratulations. None of these Islands are moving away from Tourism and there’s not anything of substance being done to create New Industries that could make up the difference. You’re reading something into this that’s not there.
Aloha, the situation out at Haena state park before the flooding of 4 years ago(?) was not sustainable. It was a hot mess and getting worse each year. Thank goodness the state and locals saw an opportunity with catastrophic floods to remake the area into a true wonder to behold. The walkway out to Kee beach along the community tended taro fields and the walk through the jungle is precious. I’ve seen complaints here of state fees imposed and permits required. If you didn’t pay to go to see the Waimea canyon then you got a free ride. Now when you pay( and who likes that) you are assuring the infrastructure will be there for you and the next generation. One other point about Haena is the shuttle takes so may cars off that tiny windy road!
I visit Kauai and Haena at least twice a year. They should follow a similar reservation system as our national parks, specifically Yosemite. Everyone needs a reservation even if you are a local. 80% of the reservations are made 30 days out, the other 20% are made 7 days out. Also, charge per car and not per person. Please get 24 hour security in the parking lot! People have been getting their fuel tanks drilled and drained. The current park/parking staff has been friendly but I would like to see the state manage the park. It think its a big conflict of interest to have the local community managing a state park. It doesn’t take a lot of research to see how much they Hate tourists. These new state park rules have created a Us vs. Them.
Aloha and amen. Make everyone carry a reservation and pay a fee (per car or per person). Why not charge more for reservations less than 7 days out? Has the current system been audited to ensure that the fees are spent as intended? The us vs them mentality is poisonous and silly.
I am a resident of Kauai and was not born here nor am I Hawaiian. I lived in a tourist city on the mainland in California my whole life and know the impact that over tourism has. The trails get trashed. It’s not a city with concrete, it’s a trail. Over tourism is horrible it’s not Disneyland, it’s a small trail. The trail needs maintenance and upkeep from to many people on them and paying a fee is very reasonable. And people that choose not to go won’t go. Go somewhere else. Hawaii is finally making a difference for the people that live here. Think about 1000 people a day parking in your neighborhood to go see something. You wouldn’t like it either.
Sorry Rudolph but that is the price you pay for having Tourism as your main source of income! Tourists = People!
Tourists and people don’t have to trash where they visit. It doesn’t entitle them to disrespect and disregard the beauty of the land their “touring or visiting.” Sounds like you might be part of the problem.
Hi Jen R, you’re quite right in most of what you’ve stated. If only Tourists could be vetted prior to stepping on the plane things might improve. On the mainland many of the same concerns can be found and probably some that you’d be surprised by. Unfortunately short of closing Trails and Sensitive Areas, Historical and Nature, it’s difficult to control. Closing doesn’t mean that people won’t come it’s more of a challenge to them! Sad but True!
And it’s also the price one pays for being a tourist, Ed. Don’t like it? Don’t come.
Hi Amy P, interesting attitude towards the people that keep Hawaii flush with Money, helping people be employed, businesses operating, your taxes down to where they currently are. If Tourism takes a dive Hawaii and its Residents suffer from the fallout! Keep that attitude up and out there and maybe people will tire of hearing that and go somewhere else.
Greenberg says, “The problem we have on a global scale is entitlement.”
He is the disgusting entitled hypocrite. The system is rigged for him and the wealthy entitled residents.
A fair system would apply equally to residents and tourists.
As I read this article I began believing that This Approach has many Advantages, however, One Huge Disadvantage/Opportunity. Limiting the amount of Visitor’s per day keeps the Overcrowding absent, keeps Vehicle traffic limited and hopefully the Beach and Surrounding Area Cleaner and Less Trodden Down. With the Advanced Reservation System planning ahead takes on New Meaning. You’re unlikely to get on the Beach. The problem that I see is Scalping Reservations, where there’s money to be made it Will Happen, believing otherwise is ludicrous. Advanced Reservation should account for 50 to 75 percent, possibly more, and the balance done another way to thwart most scalping. Had no idea about Diamondhead. Thanks BOH for the Article.
Hi Ernie.
Thanks. Subtribe else suggested staggered availability at 30 days then at 7 days. Hopefully this will adapt.
Aloha.
Ernie – At least for Ke’e reservations, you need gubmit ID to match your name to the reservation. Think of it like an airline ticket. You score a cheap price, but you cannot transfer your ticket to anyone else (unless they have an identical name and birthday as you).
Greenberg said, “People think they’re entitled to visit a place and do whatever they want.”
He is absolutely right. I am entitled to visit a place by virtue of being a US citizen and taxpayer. I paid for the creation and maintenance of that “place”. It seems leadership has forgotten that fact. Maybe it is going to take a lawsuit to change some of these rules.
I shudder to think what would happen if Las Vegas started charging Hawaii residents to visit and forced them to pay extra to park. I can hear the cries of “racism” already.
Las Vegas charges everyone to park.
how is it any different than what Yosemite does? Or Mt. Whitney? Or any of the other 100’s of places that require reservations in advance.
I feel great about this, I avoided north shore for years just because of too much traffic.
There is still a sh#t-ton of traffic at least through Hanalei. The overcrowding just moved a few miles back up the road to Lumahai. The demand to spontaneously go to some cool-looking beach beach has not gone away; Kauai just removed one of the options, so the rest get more crowded.
Pretty sure we’re going to see similar restrictions for Black Pot (Hanalei) in the near future. There is no adequate parking for the demand, and so the neighborhood is full of parked rental cars and jeeps, and even the Ching Young shopping center parking lot starts filling up with beach goers early am.
Aloha,
We went to Kauai at the end of May this year. We didn’t realize that we would need a permit for Kee Beach. We went and found a beach near the YMCA before Kee beach. It was beautiful and hardly anyone there. We are going back in February, we will try to get a shuttle permit for that trip. I would like to hike the two mile trail. We have in the past taken the NaPali coast boat trip. It was amazing! I highly recommend it! As for me cleaning up the beach during my vacation, we always clean up after ourselves, we are respectful of all beaches and national parks when we travel.
That beach you “found” is just down the street from us. It is a nice spot, but there are no restrooms no lifeguard, and no beach parking per se, just on a residential street. This is one of the big complaints that the neighborhood has to begin with. In fact, despite the dust, serious pot holes and mud, the road is not paved for the very reason that the residents believe it will lead to more tourist drive throughs and parking.
Lumahai local is also seriously impacted by the Ke’e closure. A fairly dangerous beach (is nicknamed lumaDie for a reason), no lifeguards or restrooms.
Maybe leave out the street name😉
Good point – thanks. I was thinking anyone with google maps can locate the Y Camp, and so the street would be labeled. But, yes, dumb mistake by me.
Dear Blog Guys – is there a way to edit our own comments? If not, can you please remove the street name in mine?
Mahalo
Hi David.
Done. On the subject of editing comments – we are contemplating doing that. It would require a log-in system for all commenters. Open to input on that but it would also reduce many spam and anonymous comments.
Aloha.
Thanks island neighbor!
Our time in Feb was frustrating. We stayed within biking distance to Haena State park and rented bikes locally. Despite planning, no permits left for walk-in. No permit exists for bike-in. The only option was to get in our car, drive 2 miles AWAY from the park to take the shuttle 3-4 miles to the park. Then repeat at the end. Not pono.
It wasted resources, put a car on the road that didn’t need to be, added expense unnecessarily. Since ’96 from the east coast, I would always run to Ke’e for sunrise, then leave after 15 minutes. Now you need a permit for that.
Cyclists should be welcomed and encouraged. They keep cars off the road, help to manage the speed of the cars on the road & support a local business when you rent them.
I hear you. Here’s the deal: they do not sell anywhere near enough walk-in passes (I believe you can bike in with a walk-in permit). And people get on-line and reserve several days in a row since only $5 per day and they don’t know which days they may go to the park. No one bothers to cancel the unused days, since no refunds (and was only $5 anyway). They need to greatly increase the walk-in passes. This does not create any parking problems, since if you park on the highway anywhere within nearly two miles of the park entrance is a $200 ticket.
Last year our visit to Haena was great. No more potholes that could swallow a car in the parking lot. And the community group members who greeted us were amazing and gracious. So I thought it worked well and was a great improvement.
Thank you again for all the good and helpful articles.
We look forward to our return to Kauai in 6 weeks!
Hi Cal.
Thanks. Glad to hear that the new system worked for you.
Aloha.
Before the pandemic, we and friends stopped going to Haena because of the fun reducing crowds and cars. Before the big flood, we were up there and turned around after seeing the situation.
We were just up there in May and thought the new system makes a lot of sense for visitors and locals. Your piece notes Diamond Head using reservations where friends really had to work to get in parking somewhere else walking in and joining the procession up the slopes.
We spent several hours on a special tour with Limahulu Director Lei Wann. Learning the work to restore and preserve so people can continue to enjoy was enlightening. I think you guys could do a Great piece on her, the family, and region. Thank you
Hi Tom.
Suggestion noted. Thank you.
Aloha.
I’ve been coming to Kauai for 13 years. I’m a “part-time resident homeowner.” My family’s best experiences on Kauai were during the great recession when hardly anyone could afford to travel. Like so many others, I’ve been saddened to experience growing pressure from tourism. Many tourists are polite and respectful, but some are not. Regardless, the numbers alone are too great. Take a drive through Hanalei and dodge visitors walking three across on the shoulderless highway. Then, try to find a parking place. If you do, stand in line for a half hour at a low-quality eatery that does not take reservations. Forget reservations, by the way, unless you make them a month before arriving on The Island. Now, try to find a parking place at the beach.
Don’t go to Hawaii when they stop getting money from us then they realize they can’t have their cake and eat it too because that’s what they’re doing shame on them they have ruined why I’m going other places from now on
Myself, USA Today long ago lost any credibility as Gannett became a self-director of Opinionated content. Their acquisition of Local News furthered their reach into the psyche and ‘Mind Control’ of special interests. Rest in Peace Al Neuharth. The transition from Hawaii Tavel Bureau, following the dropping of Covid Restrictions that have decimated the Hawaii Work Force, Tourism, Hospital, Service etc., and gifted to Academia is already showing the ‘controlled thought’ Philosophy that is the rule on Campus’ Nationwide. A paid Vacation, by a source controlling the Talking Points, brings but one Opinion, that of the State, the Tourist will vote with their feet and Hawaii will continue hat in hand to use Fed Funds, taxed from other States!
What?
I’m glad I was able to visit Kaua’i several times before the restrictions and tourist fees. It is truly paradise. I understand the lack of space and parking, but still that will keep me from visiting Kaua’i again. The same thing is happening in other areas. The only reservation I could get to drive on. Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park was at 4 p.m. Not a convenient time. It’s often hard to call in somewhere exactly a month or 24 hours ahead of something to get a reservation. If someone was trying, for instance, to go to Kee Beach at low tide and the only reservations were at high tide, that would be extremely frustrating. All the new fees and proposed ones will only allow the wealthy to visit.
We’ve been coming to Kauai for years. We’ve seen the horrific “I’ll park wherever I want” tourists. And the proverbial “ 10 pounds of tourists in a 5 lb “ location. Tourist control and limiting numbers are nothing new. Even in the much lesser know Maryland State park, access to the historic Turkey Point lighthouse is very limited. Maybe 20 cars or so. Once you hit the limit a MD State Parker ranger simply turns everyone away. I get people pay thousands of dollars for their Hawaii vacation, but now they have to engage in their brains, learn the rules and plan. We had no problem reserving a shuttle for Ha’ena the first week of May
IMO – The 8 mi. RT day hike to Hanakapi`ai falls is a must-do when visiting Kauai. It’s hard, but spectacular payoff. Technically you need a permit to day hike all the way to Kalalau valley (20 mi RT) or even to Hanakoa falls (13 mi RT), although that requirement is widely ignored. The views between mile markers 7 and 8 going out to the valley are beautiful. So, even with the added hassle and expense, worth it for hikers. If you are not into hiking, it’s not worth the hassle and $35 per person just to ride a shuttle bus to the parking lot at Ke’e.
Perhaps people ignoring the original guidelines has led us to this point.
The DNLR has long had rules as to how far along the trail you are allowed to hike without having an overnight camping permit to try to address the problem of “unpermitted” people camping in the valley and at other locations accessed by the trail for months/years on end, depriving permitted campers spots and generally trashing the valley.
The new parking lot regulations were imposed to vastly reduce the daily crush of cars driving through the neighborhood on Kuhio, parking all over the place, overwhelming Ke’e, ocean reefs, etc.; not about trail permit enforcement. Although certainly the new rules have substantially reduced the number of day hikers going to Hanakapi’ai beach/falls.
We have been blessed to visit kauai & her beautiful beaches several times. Kee beach being one of them. We went to the popular ones during the week & they weren’t crowded at all(maybe we were just lucky). I understand the need to have some restrictions to maintain the beauty & to protect the environment & wildlife. Maybe have shuttle service that runs every hour or two? I love Kauai & am glad we have been there before the pandemic I understand the need for change, but remember that the island relies on tourism. Somehow find the balance!
$10.00 per car, plus $5.00 per person. What a rip off!
“The first to sell out is parking, and the second is the shuttle.”
Half right. Parking goes immediately 30 days in advance (midnight HI time). Within a few more days, the walk-in reservations (only $5) are sold out. But, shuttle bus ($35) reservations widely available including on same day, especially if you are flexible on departure time.
This system resulted entirely from the 2018 flood, a crisis that would not go to waste. You had to be there to witness the angry anti-tourist (anti-haole, really) neighborhood meetings. I thought a fight was going to break out between two Hawaiian families during the “bridges” meeting. FEMA was paying nearly $100M and the locals wanted their share. Was like an Hawaiian Sopranos episode.
Some people seem to believe that they Deserve to be paid when catastrophic things occur. The Sopranos reference is Perfect, Spot On. The “Entitlement” that they express simply shows that Ignorance is alive and well. How does FEMA building a Bridge to Help out an area and People give way to “Where’s My Money?” 🤔 Maybe FEMA should have just pulled out of the project and said No to the Bridge!
Three small one-lane bridges built in the early 1900’s to cross streams along Hanalei Bay were badly damaged in the flood, and also aging to the point of becoming safety hazards. There was a concern that they would be rebuilt wider and able to withstand heavier loads, leading to the prospect of way more building, tourists busses, etc., in the Wainiha-Haena neighborhoods. Also, these little bridges were somehow sacred. The meeting was held by the county engineer. He tried to explain that the bridges would be rebuilt in the same dimensions and limited load bearing capacities, but was constantly shouted down and the meeting was “hijacked” and got out of control. I stopped going to the meetings after that.
I have been a visitor to Hawaii for a long time and seen so many changes. Beaches that we use to go to and be all alone, are now overcrowded. Some limitation has to be imposed to keep the attraction so many people come to Hawaii for. Do I like the restrictions? No. But it is the world we live in.
We’ve been going to Kauai annually for almost 30 years. We’ve loved Ke’e beach from the beginning but it was getting out of hand – totally impossible to find a place to park and way too many beach goers.
We learned about the reservation system when it was implemented and we love it !!!! The parking lot and platform and wonderful, they enhance the beauty of the area as well as make it easy to get from the lot to the beach. Yes, you may have to get up briefly in the middle of the night to get your pass, but it’s worth it !
Congratulations to Kauai for coming up with a workable system to not overload the parking and the beach.
There are plenty of places that come to mind that require advanced reservations. Yosemite. Mt Whitney. Those are just a couple I know of.
Once more people know of the required fees and reservations, I think there will be less controversy and As much as I hate to see this kind of thing happen, it was inevitable. I just feel fortunate to have been able to go before the restrictions were put in place.
The hard part is the spontaneity is now completely removed. If you are lucky enough to get a reservation, it might be a poor weather day on that date and you won’t be able to change it.
That being said, when people are parking off the side of the road or partially blocking the road, it was inevitable that something had to be done.