New visitor rules kick-in for Kaua‘i’s Hā‘ena State Park

The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau (KVB) in Hawaii has reminded visitors headed to the Garden Island about the newly introduced rules following the reopening of Hā‘ena State Park.

The park includes the Kalalau Trail, Hanakāpi‘ai Falls and Kēʻē Beach, and is located on Kaua‘i’s famous north shore.

The new rules set forth aim to not only reduce congestion and limit vehicular traffic, but also help protect cultural and natural resources from overuse.

This change from the Hawai‘i 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 Hā‘ena 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,” said KVB executive director Sue Kanoho.

“I strongly encourage visitors to familiarise themselves with the new guidelines and to review the Aloha Pledge, which provides comprehensive information to ensure they have a positive experience in Hā‘ena.”

All visitors to the park 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 (there is also no overnight parking allowed at the Hā‘ena State Park parking lot), and to help reduce congestion on Kūhiō Highway by limiting the number of vehicles traveling through, visitors are encouraged to enter by hopping on the North Shore Shuttle.

A roundtrip reservation ticket, which includes entry into the park, needs to be purchased prior to visiting the area. The shuttle runs between Princeville and Hā‘ena State Park, with stops along the way.

More info on park and shuttle reservations can be found here.

Here are some other handy tips handy resources and tips to help your clients have a positive experience at Hā‘ena State Park:

There is no parking along Kūhiō Highway in Hā‘ena. 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 Hā‘ena’s neighbourhoods, as parking around homes are for residents only.
Kūhiō 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.
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. A list of businesses in the Hanalei town area can be found here.
While the north shore of Kaua‘i is open, construction and road work continues along Kūhiō Highway. For the latest info on road conditions and closures, click here.

Kaua‘i is green and lush with flora from mountain to ocean. The island offers more than 50 miles of white-sand beach – adding up to more beach per mile than any island in Hawai‘i.

Other Kaua‘i natural wonders include 3,567-foot-deep Waimea Canyon (often called “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”) and the towering 3,000-foot sea cliffs of the Nāpali Coast.

Kaua‘i’s abundance of outdoor activities – which includes helicopter and boat tours, kayaking, snorkelling, hiking, mountain tubing, horseback riding, ATV adventures, and zip-line tours all offer memorable vacation experiences for the entire family.

Click here for more info about Kaua‘i.

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