Kauai Road Opening Update

I’m offering this update as there still seems to be confusion about what is happening on Kauai from Hanelei to the end of the road (Ke’e beach, Ha’ena State Park and the beginning of the Na Pali Coast) following the flood closure after the April 2018 flood.   So here is the Kauai Road Opening Update as of December 2019.

Panorama of Na Pali & Kalalau Kauai

The road to Ke’e beach and the Ha’ena State Park is OPEN as is the Na Pali Coast Trail.    However, please note the following:

You must buy Parking tickets for Haena State Park in advance

“Ha’ena” State Park according to Kauai Gov. is deemed to be the State park which includes Ke’e beach at the end of the road.    Ha’ena Beach Park is a different “entity” and refers to the Beach at Ha’ena where you do not need to reserve parking places or pay a fee.   You can also camp (with permits) at Ha’ena Beach Park.

• . You have to buy parking permits in advance to park at the parking lot at Ke’e beach

You can get these on the Kauai DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources).   They  are $5 for either the morning 6.30 – 12.30 or afternoon 12.30 – 5.30 or evening 4.30 – sunset.     Don’t buy them elsewhere!   Go direct to the source

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  Ke’e Beach Parking Lot – photo courtesy of DNLR Kauai

  . You can buy “entry only” meaning you walk in or get the shuttle for $1 per person.

•   The shuttle is $15 per person and you can get them here at Kauai North Shore Shuttle

You must reserve even if you are walking or biking in

The fee is only $1 but you must reserve if you are not resident.

Direct from the Kauai Gov. Website:

Advance reservations are now required for all vehicles, walk-in entry, and shuttle riders visiting Hāʻena State Park, as well as for day hikers accessing the Kalalau Trail. Plan your trip accordingly. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance, and no later than the day before your visit*.   You will find full details for the Kauai Road Opening Update there.

Here is the “Frequently asked questions” from their site where you will find even more information about the Kauai Road Opening Update and please refer here after Dec 2020.

If you have a valid camping permit for Kalalau, you do not need a park entry reservation

but you still DO need to reserve and pay for a parking spot

Overnight Parking is Now Permitted (NEW)

Limited parking overnight is now allowed in the car park for those who have camping permits for Kalalau.

Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park & Kalalau Trail

• If you have a valid Camping Permit for the Nāpali Coast SWP, you do not need to make a park entry reservation for Hāʻena SP.
  • Upon arrival to Hāʻena SP present your valid Nāpali Coast SWP Camping Permit.
• Overnight Parking at Hāʻena State Park is now available for those with valid Nāpali Coast Camping Permits. Overnight Parking spots are purchased separately from camping permits and are available through gohaena.com. Note: Overnight parking spots are available for purchase up to 90 days in advance. Users will be charged for the number of days your vehicle occupies the lot (e.g. a 1-night stay requires paying for 2-days, a 4-night stay will require paying for 5-days, etc.).
• Overnight parking at Aliʻi Kai Resort in Princeville is now available in coordination with the North Shore Shuttle. For more information please call (808) 826-9988
• My post on the magnificent Na Pali Coast

• Overnight campers for the Nāpali Coast SWP must either:

  1. Arrive by shuttle (click here: https://kauainsshuttle.com/)
  2. Arrange for private drop-off.
  3. Reserve overnight parking.

• For Camping Permits for Kalalau, go here .   

You can buy permits up to 90 days in advance and must be at least 30 days in advance.

Hiking to Hanakapi’ai Beach & Waterfall

• Visitors need to purchase a park entry reservation for Hāʻena SP. (Note: Entry passes are not required for those who arrive at the park via the North Shore Shuttle.)

Enjoying Hanakapiai Falls Kauai ~ Amazing!

Access to Tunnels Beach & Other beaches from Hanalei to Ke’e

• . You can still go to Tunnels Beach.   There is parking there but you can no longer park on the road so to go to Tunnels, you need to early or late.
• . Equally you can go to Lumahai & stop at other beaches along the way

However the only swimmable beaches are Ke’e, Tunnels, Ha’ena beach park and Lumahai.  Wainiha beach for example is not a swimmable beach (the name means “dangerous waters”!) .  My guide on the Top 10 beaches on Kauai

Finally, if you are coming to Kauai between Dec 16 – 19th,  be aware there will be delays getting down into Hanalei on the hill where the county will be working on the steep hillside where sliding has occurred:

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) advises the public of temporary full closures on Kuhio Highway (Route 560) at Mile Marker 1 (the hill approaching Hanalei Bridge). The full closures will last approximately 30 minutes starting at 7:30 a.m. continuing hourly Monday, Dec. 16 through Thursday, Dec. 19, 2019. (Click the following link for more specific information: HDOT Closures Dec 16-19, 2019

If you have any other questions, there are numbers to contact the HDOT and DLNR on the links provided.   Hopefully this Kauai Road Opening Update will be helpful!

Aloha Nui!