New Rules to visit Kauai’s North Shore – Haena State Park

Published on: July 19, 2019 – 7:53 am

UPDATE:

Waioli Bridge will be CLOSED NIGHTLY, that means no way in or out on Aug. 12, 13, 14 & 15, 2019 from 7:30 pm to 5:00 am. Anyone going out to the Ha‘ena area needs to be out of there by 7:00 pm. (crossing the bridge before that time). There will be no work on Friday, August 16 after 5 a.m. in observance of the state holiday.

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Daily Visitor Limits to The Area and Advanced Reservations Required
Haena State Park – (July 15, 2019) – The Kauai Visitors Bureau (KVB) is reminding visitors headed to the Garden Island about new rules that have been recently introduced following the reopening of access to Haena State Park, which includes the Kalalau Trail, Hanakapiai Falls and Kee Beach on the island’s famed north shore. The newly implemented rules set forth will not only reduce congestion and limit vehicular traffic, but also help protect cultural and natural resources from overuse.

This change from the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of State Parks comes after a 14-month closure due to torrential rain and flooding in the area last April. The rules for Haena State Park limits the number of visitors to 900 per day and requires advanced reservations and a permit to enter the park.

“This is a rural community that is still rebuilding following the devastating floods last April and we ask that all visitors in the area be aware of the situation and respect the residents and new rules that have been put in place,” says Sue Kanoho, KVB executive director. “I strongly encourage visitors to familiarize themselves with the new guidelines and to review the Aloha Pledge which provides comprehensive information to ensure they have a positive experience in Haena.”

The Aloha Pledge can be viewed online at www.alohapledge.com.

All visitors to the park, including beach-goers, hikers and others, will be required to make an advanced online reservation prior to entering the park whether they are arriving in a private vehicle, shuttle, walking in by foot or on a bike. Anyone without a confirmed reservation will be denied access to the park and asked to turn around.
With few parking spaces available on the north shore, and to help reduce congestion on Kuhio Highway by limiting the number of vehicles traveling through, visitors are encouraged to enter by hopping on the North Shore Shuttle. A round-trip reservation ticket, which includes entry into the park needs to be purchased prior to visiting the area. The shuttle runs between Princeville and Haena State Park with stops along the way. To secure a reservation ticket online, visit https://kauainsshuttle.com.

The following resources and tips are available to assist in having a positive experience:

Advanced Reservations: Vehicles without a reservation will be denied access to the park and asked to turn around. For more information on obtaining an advanced reservation, visit https://www.gohaena.com/.
North Shore Shuttle: To reserve a ticket, visit https://kauainsshuttle.com. A reservation ticket includes paid entrance into the park, which helps reduce impacts on this fragile and pristine area.
Limited Parking: Parking at Haena State Park is very limited and requires advanced reservations. No overnight parking allowed at Haena State Park parking lot.
Kuhio Highway and Side Street Parking: There is NO PARKING along Kuhio Highway in Haena. Illegal parking along the highway interferes with local traffic and will result in heavy fines up to $400. There is also no side street parking in Haena’s neighborhoods as parking around homes are for residents only.
Narrow Highway and One-Lane Bridges: Kuhio Highway on the north shore is a narrow roadway with one-lane bridges. Drivers are asked to yield to oncoming cars at one-lane bridges.
Hanalei Town is Open for Business: Located on the north shore, Hanalei Town is open for business and welcoming visitors to experience its shops, galleries and restaurants. The picturesque town is made up of several historical and cultural buildings, which are home to the community’s boutique shops. For a list of businesses in the Hanalei town area, visit http://hanaleitown.com.

While the north shore of Kauai is open, construction and road work continues along Kuhio Highway. For road conditions and closures, visit https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/roadwork/kauai.