The North Shore Kauai Highway from Hanalei to Kee Beach reopened yesterday. But as we anticipated, it is not without problems, and some caution is advised.
Early this morning, a human chain was formed by some north shore residenta at Waipa, who prevented visitors bound for Haena State Park from entering the highway. Police arrived and reopened the road. Protesters remained as a visual indication to visitors and the state that the area is not ready to reopen. Essential bridgework, for example, is still in process. The state, however, was required to reopen the road. There is also concern, which we deem valid, that there has been woefully inadequate planning and coordination that is needed to resume operations.
There are those too who welcome the reopening, as the area has been out of business since last year’s flooding. It has also hurt all of the north shore economy, even at Hanalei.
The new Haena State Park Master Plan is now in effect, which limits access to just 900 of the prior 3,000 daily visitors.
In addition, are you ready for additional delays of 30 to 90 minutes, or more, en route to Hanalei?
1. Problem at Hanalei Bridge. Kuhio Highway emergency maintenance delays until at least September.
We learned last month that another critical highway piece was to undergo emergency repairs and stabilization. This is resulting in extensive traffic delays heading both north and south approaching the Hanalei Bridge. The hillside just south of that bridge is crumbling and must be repaired immediately. Until completed, traffic will use a single, shared alternating lane at all times. In addition, expect multiple 30-45 minute road closures in both directions throughout the day, so that crews can dislodge loose debris and clear the highway. When the delays caused by the intermittent closures are mutipled by those caused due to the shared one-lane road, this is a very concerning situation.
The hillside there has been eroding onto the highway for years and it is likely that last year’s rains and/or events subsequent thereto put the situation over the critical breaking point. This is most unfortunate news for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
2. Kuhio Highway beyond Hanalei | reopening delayed until at least June 13.
The highway north of Hanalei, and Haena State Park is still closed for ongoing repairs since last year’s epic flooding. It was first due to open May 1, then May 20, and now as of this afternoon, June 13. We’ll add “at least” to the June 13 date, since we know first hand just how slowly things move here on Kauai. In addition, some of the personnel and equipment needed to reopen the highway could end up being diverted to the new problem at the Hanalei Bridge.
It isn’t yet clear if the opening of the road will occur simultaneously with the reopening of Haena State Park or not. Previously, a decision to open the road prior to the park actually being accessible was planned. Two days before the road was set to reopen on May 1, county, state and federal officials toured the area. Based on safety and other concerns expressed by Kauai officials, the decision was made to postpone reopening. Another delay is certainly possible.
The idea of the road without the park, restrooms or any other facilities, made no sense. Chipper Wichman, President of National Tropical Botanic Gardens, which includes Haena’s Limahuli Gardens, said of this idea that “without facilities, these people are essentially going to a dead end. Where are they going to turn around?”
The highway reopening remains squarely in the hands of the Hawaii DOT. At risk is $70M in federal funds if the highway does not open immediately when ready as a public road. US Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii had said he would help get to the bottom of the funding dilemma, although we haven’t heard anything from him on this recently. Beat of Hawaii friend Mayor Derek Kawakami said this week that county officials will again meet with DOT before the scheduled road opening to discuss the viability. He reasserted, however, that the ultimate decision is that of the state.
Regarding the park, DLNR said that, “barring bad weather or unforeseen delays in repairs or new management implementation, Hā’ena State Park and the Kalalau Trail in the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park will reopen to visitors in early-to-mid June. The official reopening date will be announced in May.” Well, we know now that early June isn’t happening, and for that matter, mid-June seems highly unlikely.
As you know, a reduction in the number of daily vehicles allowed in the park, from 2,000 to 900 per day is planned.
If the road does open prior to the park is actually ready, there will be restrictions in place to prevent visitor access to Haena. The manned checkpoint beyond Hanalei will remain open at that time, where visitors may be advised of delays or be discouraged from proceeding. Car rental companies will be disseminating warnings regarding the new regulations and ongoing issues.
Access, parking and transportation will be dramatically different than before. Wichman said “the county giving a million and a half dollars to establish a new shuttle that will really help remove cars off of the road is unprecedented.” Kauai Visitor Bureau executive director Sue Kanoho added, “we just don’t want that area to be abused like it was in the past…. There’s been a lot of erosion. So just like Haleakala and Hanauma Bay, we’re going to have to limit the people.”
Haena State Park environmental protection.
What we are about to see is a new park management plan. The goal is to greatly reduce human impact, given that unlimited access is clearly not sustainable. How changes will evolve is a work in process, and what we anticipate now is, of course, subject to change. And there’s no way that this is not going to remain controversial albeit necessary.
Kauai has been remiss in protecting its resources. Wichman said of the flooding, “this was divine intervention.” Others have noted that the coral reef has begun to regenerate since the flood related highway closure.
Here’s what visitors should expect from Princeville to Haena.
1. Visitors should expect delays of from 30 to 90 minutes in each direction approaching the Hanalei Bridge. Delay times may vary unpredictably at this point, due to the nature of the repairs.
2. The park, parking plan, a new reservation system and more. The park is still set to reopen in June barring any further delays.
3. If the road opens prior to park access, bridge repairs and parking, expect severe traffic delays. Work on repairs to the three small bridges that separate Haena from Hanalei will be ongoing with weekend closures to be announced.
4. New day parking regulations. Until the park is open, posted no parking will be in effect for all of Haena State Park. Once park facilities open, that will be lifted. We are still awaiting more information on the new parking system.
5. No overnight parking at Haena. There will no longer be overnight parking at Haena State Park. Permitted overnight Kalalau trail hikers can either be dropped off or use the new park and ride shuttle service.
6. Increased parking fines. A minimum $200 fine will be in effect for illegal parking, up from $35. Illegal parking had been widespread prior to the road closure.
7. Parking enforcement. Tickets will be issued by uniformed officers of State DLNR and the Kauai Police Department. We expect vigorous enforcement.
8. Limited parking for surfing and fishing. That may be available in special zones but we still have not heard how that would work.
9. Tunnels Beach. There will be no parking at Tunnels beach, which is directly adjacent to but not within Haena State Park. Parking there had been a problem for years. What we have been told is that access to Tunnels Beach access will be on foot from nearby Haena Beach.
10. Limahuli Garden is scheduled to remain closed until sometime in June. A reopening announcement is expected later this month.
Park and ride shuttle service coming.
The new North Shore Kauai shuttle will begin in June (or perhaps later) from Princeville to Kee Beach. The service will have stops at various points along the way including at County lifeguarded beaches. Their website is set to launch later this month.
The shuttle is due to start at the same time as new parking becomes available at Haena. The lot will will have a capacity of 100 cars, available by advance reservation only. Full-time Kauai residents, however, will have some access without prior reservation. How residency will be determined, we don’t know.
A park and ride facility is planned for Princeville, either at the shopping center or likely elsewhere since parking there is already a mess. That development remains in process. Until ready, park and ride may begin in Hanalei. Introductory round trip tickets will be $11 for visitors, $2 for Kauai residents, and those with bus pass, no charge. Tickets will be purchased in advance electronically, and cash will not be accepted on board.
Beat of Hawaii photo at Hanalei Bay.
My wife and I owned a timeshare in Princeville from 1985 until 2003, enjoying a yearly trip, before the Recession decimated my business. We loved Kaua’i so much that we never traded our high-demand timeshare for anywhere else.
We quickly tired of Princeville itself, but loved everything North to the end of the road, each trip parking once at Ke’e Beach and hiking the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai Valley and back. Although we went all over the island for other things, most days we spontaneously spent at Tunnels, snorkling, only once having trouble finding a good parking spot, so things must have changed considerably since our last visit in 2006.
We have been saving for years for a final visit, but are 76 and 67, living only on Social Security, so the outrageously high shuttle fee is a big problem. Also, we are both legally Disabled and unable to walk to and from Tunnels Beach from the Haena Beach parking lot (shuttle won’t even stop near Tunnels). Thus, thanks to the new, over-the-top “protections”, we won’t be able to easily visit our favorite places on Kaua’i. Having to make a reservation forces a schedule onto us, when my wife’s daily health is unpredictable.
We are definitely not the only senior citizens with this problem, but extreme restrictions like this are what turns people against environmentalism politically, which bothers us even more, since we are both longtime environmentalists, committed to the protection of our planet, and have always been careful to leave nothing but footsteps (usually also carrying out trash left by the inconsiderate few).
Kaua’i locals and, particularly, politicians need to stop and think about the broad repercussions of this extremism. The unintended consequences are not ALL predictable, but I expect ONE to be a noticeable drop in tourism to Kaua’i.
Due to these new restrictions, even WE are now considering only visiting the Big Island (our 2nd favorite island) and skipping Kaua’i for our final visit.
Mahalo
Hi Bruce.
Thanks for your many comments and for explaining your thinking and planning for your final visit.
Aloha.
Hi, how April flood is a responsibility of tourists at Haena or those who buy land there? You make no sense in this regard. Neither is sensible making it barely possible to deal with for visitors. Kauai cannot survive without them either you like it or not.
Sounds like government overreach to me. Not thrilled about it. Been part time around Kauai 16 years. I’ve always thought the north shore road was just fine in the big scheme of things. Nothing’s perfect and everywhere has it’s problems. All scenic places get crowded. Many times I’ve visited Haena, and it was surprisingly uncrowded. But, if you run with the sheep herd, it sucks, that’s the big problem.
You could always go early morning or for sunset, or gray days, or for full moons and stars, and crowds were light. But now we have to check in with ” the computer ” for that. Thumbs down!
Spontaneity, the moment, is ruined.
900 people a day sounds too light. Restricting our access. That’s a 1/3 of previous visitors.
The no parking signs are very ugly.
Many of us enjoyed it more, before they installed the life guard tower. That was public space. You could make the argument the life guard tower, and no parking signs, are bad for the environment – ha ha.
No overnight parking – sucks! Taking our freedoms.
There was a beautiful freedom there we’ve now lost. I thank the stars I enjoyed it before the computer bureaucracy arrived.
Notes: the world is full of tons of unspoiled nature. But you do need to hike a ways from the parking lots.
Climate change is a fear propaganda campaign.
Educate tourists on airplanes with infomercials about respecting and behaving when they visit. Big problem is the sheep are clueless, driving cars around.
More culture, less laws / rules.
Aloha
I love Kauai – it’s one of my favorite places on earth. That is why we planned a “family” senior trip (14 persons) to Ha’ena in July for one week. When I booked and paid over $25,00 for 2 houses there, the rental agency never mentioned the road problems. We here in Texas heard about the flooding last April, but the delays and road closures were not newsworthy outside Hawaii, I guess!
I want to see Kauai preserved, but I am concerned!! If we can’t get to the houses, will the rental agencies refund the payments?? Are there alternate plans for getting to Ha’ena if the bridges are closed for a full weekend?
Hi Betty.
There are no alternative plans for accessing Haena that we are aware of. Suggest you contact the rental agency.
Aloha.
$11.00 dollars a person is to much to pay for the shuttle.
This area is our favorite on earth, and of course we love to hang out there often when visiting Kauai. However we would love to see Kauai returned to its natural form as much as possible. Driving to Ke’e, and then parking there has always been a nightmare. I have a radical idea – Why not close down the road to all car traffic (with the exception of the ‘locals’), and have the shuttle as is being talked about, but also have a kiosk of bikes, and walking sticks for tourists to use from Hanalei all the way to Ke’e. I know that is a long bike ride/walk if they are planning to end up at Ke’e. There is no reason not to do this kind of thing if its planned out well. Think of how cool that would be to take cars and traffic mostly out of the equation in this beautiful of locations. Yes, there would be angry people, but the island of Kauai would better for it. Of course, if my suggestion were to be implemented, there would be need of a large parking lot area in Hanalei…that might be a negative…I dont know.
PS: My husband and I are in our upper 60’s and we would be more than willing to ride bikes from Hanalei to Ke’e.
My wife and I have had a timeshare at Hanalei Bay for nearly 30 years. We would be happy to take a shuttle to Tunnels or Kee. If a weekly pass rate could be enacted it would encourage shuttle use by us. I’m glad there will be restrictions on car numbers to preserve the environment. Mahalo.
Hi Richard.
Thank you.
Aloha.
I also forgot to add that I have no problem waiting for the road to be reopened when the time is right. We still enjoyed other beaches and had a great vacation last year and are looking forward to visiting again in August. We have a deep respect Hawaiians and their culture but I don’t understand closing off those beaches indefinitely to visitors. There are many hidden/private beaches that even us long time visitors don’t know about that only the locals do. I love visiting Kauai. It’s something I look forward to every year.
We will be visiting Kawaii at the end of September will the road be ok?
I was very excited to hear about the shuttle to tunnels and Ke’e beach as I think that would be an excellent way to minimize parking issues until I saw the cost. I’m sorry but my family of four cannot afford $11×4 ($44) to spend the day at our favorite beaches. Specially when our entire week is spent at the beach pretty much. I think this fee needs to be reconsidered especially when locals are charged $2. We visit Kauai yearly as our vacation spot and we love to help support local shops and restaurants while we’re there.
We Love Kauai, however I would not be willing to sit in traffic or not have facilities. I think Kauai should finish the roadwork when ever they want to finish it. It is just sad the government is putting restrictions of funding for the repairs. I would love to put my restrictions on how they spend my tax money 🙂
Aloha, We will be on the north shore end of June/early July and staying in Princeville. I am excited about the prospect of the road being open by then. I wonder if the road is open and we are able to access it without too much traffic, we will be allowed to park on side streets to access beaches? Particularly I am thinking of the Kephui Point area. We did this one day in the past and had a really nice day enjoying that area. I will not even be too heartbroken about going further down the road, but would like to visit this area again. I am not opposed to a shuttle system either as long as I can bring my beach chair and my cooler. Thanks for all the updates.
Hi Tammy.
We have wondered the same thing. No answers yet; stay tuned as this unfolds.
Aloha.
What a disaster to have a 90 minute wait to go 5 minutes from Princeville to Hanalei. We have been coming to Princeville every summer since 1991. We come mainly for the drive from Princeville to Ke e. I pray the shuttle is optional. I’m ok with paying an access fee to park my car. The shuttle is not going to work for me. This is a good plan to have less visitors on Kauai. The north shore is the main attraction of the whole island. I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent as it’s alway a life changing experience. Hoping the access to the island with be preserved.
It’s because the island has to much visitors also people don’t understand that what happened last year April devastated the oldest island in the island chain. We have to preserve our beaches and our wildlife and our corals and all of the visitors sunscreen is what’s killing all of it people come they leave their trash they speed on our roads and they overcrowd our stores all of us have to suffer the consequences and even our children have to suffer the fact that people are moving here every single day each year and buying up all the land and all the houses and giving our kids no option but to move when they graduate . We need to have a limited amount of people that are able to live on this island and we need to have a limited amount of visitors each year that can’t go over a certain limit. People should stop complaining and let the county of Kauai Fix the infrastructure of the north shore and our visitors need to understand how precious this island is enter respect it to the best of their ability or don’t come.
How April flood is a responsibility of tourists at Haena or those who buy land ther? You make no sense.
Aloha. We are owners on the north shore and have been patiently waiting for the road to re-open. We wouldn’t consider going down to Ke’e until the work is totally done. We also understand the need for limitations, and being from Colorado, have seen such limitations put in place. They were controversial to start, bugs were worked out, and now, the limitations are accepted as normal. It’s worth it to preserve your special places and the “end of the road” should be saved for as long as possible. Who knows how long it will be available with rising oceans and more threatening storms?
We have noticed that since the flood, the coral at Anini has also been coming back. Perhaps the influx of so much rain was good for the ocean? We are also glad that Hawai’i has taken the much needed step to ban the damaging sun screen. We just hope it won’t be too little, too late. We love Kauai, and want it preserved as much as the natives. Mahalo.
Thanks Kathi.
Aloha.
I’m a haole who’s been visiting Hawaii every year or two since 1985, and have been to the affected area dozens of times. I fully understand Hawaii’s coerced statehood “process” in the late 1950s and think it’s time we allow them to make these decisions on access for themselves. Compared to all the things our state government has done in California under the guise of states’ rights, the limited-access decisions made in Kauai are negligible. Tourists and visitors need to quit whining about lack of access to these beautiful areas and take in the thousands of others that Hawaii offers. These areas belong to the people of Hawaii. Their land. Their rules.
Right On!
Right in! Fully agree.
Judy B. I totally agree. This area is too precious and precarious not to take precautions to preserve its natural beauty. I am personally looking forward to being able to take a shuttle since I’ve always been the driver and not able to fully appreciate my surroundings – and we’ve not been able to park at Kee Beach on our last several visits. I fully support these efforts.
From one haole to another who’s also an annual visitor for 18+ years, I COMPLETELY AGREE!
I absolutely agree! “Coerced statehood” is an understatement!
Totally agree
I am so with you on this Tim. Also a yearly visitor and timeshare owner since 2004, I respect the beauty of the culture and the beauty of the land. This is solely the decision of the residents of Kauai. There will be no whining on my part concerning any delays or limits to visiting this sacred and peaceful area. Looking forward to being back “with one foot on the sand” in November. Until then Aloha and Mahalo to all those who care, really care, about Kauai.
I have been visiting Kauai for 20 years and I try and be respectful to the local people and understand some of their frustrations with the traffic and the additional visiting population. I feel some of the hostility from the local residents from time to time. I understand that just because I’m providing income to the local economy with my visit, I don’t get to have any special considerations but it would be nice to have a little appreciation for my part in the key component of the Kauai economy. There is no longer any sugar cane or pineapple business to provide jobs and coffee growing doesn’t provide that much work. Kauai is an incredible attraction but if the visitors begin to feel like there is a “No Visitors” sign around a lot of the areas, they may decide to go elsewhere. I don’t think anyone is concerned about that now with the abundance of tourists but be careful what you wish for.
Could they do something like the National Parks do with roads that are closed during the winter? A lot of them open the roads to foot traffic and bikes then later into the warm months, they open the road to vehicles and restrict pedestrians and cyclists. My thought is to open the road in May to foot traffic and cyclists then switch it over to vehicles once they have the logistics squared away with shuttles, and passes, and the facilities and parks are ready to re-open. This would allow people to see the sights along the road without needing to park or create traffic jams. They could allow a certain number of entrants each day and enforce a leave no trace rule.
Aloha! Thank you so m much for filling in details as they become available. We are frequent visitors to Kauai. Recently we have been staying in Haena at vacation rentals, but mostly love Hanalei Colony Resort.
We will patiently wait as long as necessary until the road is open without restrictions and the access problems have been solved. Stayed on Weke Road in Hanalei in early March. Farmers Market, Tahiti Nui, Gourmet -all was well, but we missed Haena and Lumahai . We will get there when the time is right.
A Beat of Hawaii reader, Joy, mentioned why not have the shuttle parking be at the Princeville airport…I hope they are considering that , it is an excellent idea! I avoid the Foodland center when possible…the parking there has become awful.
Mahalo again for all the info and keeping us updated.
Hi Suzanne.
Thank you. More will be revealed.
Aloha.
Parking at the Princeville Airport, or the neighboring golf course sound perfect. Finding parking at Foodland is already difficult. If we have to share it with cars that are just sitting there all day, that will be a waste of space that should be saved for the shopping area customers.
Do we have any idea yet how many they will restrict each day? Will we be able to get a multi-day pass or at least individual passes for more than one day? I know many people want the opportunity to go, but we basically spend our trip in the water or under the trees at Tunnels. I’d hate to think we’d only get to go on one day.
These comments interest me. Some locals complain about the tourists (except the merchants of course), the tourists complain that they can’t get access. I doubt there is one answer that will appease all. I visit Kauai every year (stay in Poipu), but in my humble opinion, I believe the locals take priority here. They have invested a lot in their property and in their local economy, establishing businesses or working in them, sometimes trying to “make it” in a place that is getting more expensive every year. They should have first say as to the resolution of this matter. I suggest that the powers that be reach a consensus and go with it before Federal dollars dry up. It may not be perfect and definitely will not be supported by everyone, but from what I’ve read over the past few weeks and months this is going to have to be a “let’s try it and see how it goes” situation. Adjustments will be necessary, so everyone, especially the tourists, are just going to have to be patient until all the wrinkles are ironed out.
Mahalo ke Akua
wow. i think they should work hard to fix the road for the locals, and really, this includes me, have a fee to park and drive. it is so crowded and takes the fun. take it back before. really.