Please add your input on this important issue of Kauai’s north shore at Haena State Park.
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79 thoughts on “Controversial Haena State Park Controls Topic of Peter Greenberg Show”
Please add your input on this important issue of Kauai’s north shore at Haena State Park.
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.