Comments on: Kalalau Questions http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/ Living and hiking on the island of Kauai Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:47:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Andy http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-95855 Andy Sun, 02 Jan 2011 07:52:04 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-95855 Hi Josh, thanks for reading and posting your questions. Unfortunately, the idea that you can take a boat to Kalalau is widespread, but not really accurate. Locals (on-island) with contacts can (or used to) find people to drop them off, either in a motor boat or a kayak. For someone to arrive from off-island on a fixed schedule, this is unrealistic, and I never recommend it. And in fact, it is illegal for motor boats to land, and for kayaks to land without a permit (which I doubt they had). Hiking is the only reliable, safe, and legal way to get to Kalalau and back. May is a great time to go for hiking, the weather is usually good and stable, and the ocean is calming down. But nobody can guarantee you what ocean conditions will be like. Summer (July and August) has the calmer seas, but that's the height of the hiking season, and permits have to be reserved up to 6 months ahead of time. Whether the ocean conditions will allow swimming access to Honopu is totally unpredictable, even in summer. You have to make your own observation of the ocean and of your abilities. Hi Josh, thanks for reading and posting your questions. Unfortunately, the idea that you can take a boat to Kalalau is widespread, but not really accurate. Locals (on-island) with contacts can (or used to) find people to drop them off, either in a motor boat or a kayak. For someone to arrive from off-island on a fixed schedule, this is unrealistic, and I never recommend it. And in fact, it is illegal for motor boats to land, and for kayaks to land without a permit (which I doubt they had). Hiking is the only reliable, safe, and legal way to get to Kalalau and back.

May is a great time to go for hiking, the weather is usually good and stable, and the ocean is calming down. But nobody can guarantee you what ocean conditions will be like. Summer (July and August) has the calmer seas, but that’s the height of the hiking season, and permits have to be reserved up to 6 months ahead of time. Whether the ocean conditions will allow swimming access to Honopu is totally unpredictable, even in summer. You have to make your own observation of the ocean and of your abilities.

]]> By: joshua http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-95779 joshua Fri, 31 Dec 2010 23:17:57 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-95779 Aloha Andy, Thanks for posting this for us all....I grew up on Oahu and have since moved to the mainland, but my folks still live there. I was talking to them about hiking into Kalalau with a friend and meeting them there - hoping that a zodiac of some kind could drop them off (thats possible right?). We were thinking about going mid to late May - per your advice. One of the things I was hoping to do with my friend, is swim to Honopu Beach. I am a strong swimmer and am used to moderately difficult surf conditions. What are the wave conditions like that time of year and do you have any advice? Joshua Aloha Andy,

Thanks for posting this for us all….I grew up on Oahu and have since moved to the mainland, but my folks still live there. I was talking to them about hiking into Kalalau with a friend and meeting them there – hoping that a zodiac of some kind could drop them off (thats possible right?). We were thinking about going mid to late May – per your advice. One of the things I was hoping to do with my friend, is swim to Honopu Beach. I am a strong swimmer and am used to moderately difficult surf conditions. What are the wave conditions like that time of year and do you have any advice?

Joshua

]]> By: Mike http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-90655 Mike Tue, 14 Sep 2010 20:28:15 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-90655 Aloha Andy, I have hiked all or portions of the Kalalau Trail many times over the past 35 years but only in the summer. I will be on Kauai this November for Thanksgiving and want to hike Ke'e to Hanakoa. Given the date of Nov 29th what would I reasonably expect for weather and hours of daylight? I figure about +/- 4 hours each way maybe less. Mahalo Aloha Andy,

I have hiked all or portions of the Kalalau Trail many times over the past 35 years but only in the summer. I will be on Kauai this November for Thanksgiving and want to hike Ke’e to Hanakoa. Given the date of Nov 29th what would I reasonably expect for weather and hours of daylight? I figure about +/- 4 hours each way maybe less. Mahalo

]]> By: Hiker http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-90446 Hiker Tue, 07 Sep 2010 18:59:24 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-90446 Just got back from Kauai and the Kalalau trail. Trip was awesome! We stayed out there for 5 nights and every nite it rained but it was nice, not cold at all. Sunrise and Sunsets were the best, aside from the awesome Napali Coast. We didnt run into any rangers and there were plenty of people camped out on the Kalalau beach but hardly anyone on the beach. All in all, awesome trip! Just got back from Kauai and the Kalalau trail. Trip was awesome! We stayed out there for 5 nights and every nite it rained but it was nice, not cold at all. Sunrise and Sunsets were the best, aside from the awesome Napali Coast. We didnt run into any rangers and there were plenty of people camped out on the Kalalau beach but hardly anyone on the beach. All in all, awesome trip!

]]> By: Andy http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-89317 Andy Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:29:25 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-89317 Hiker, I would say that your friend will be fine, it should be fairly easy to explain the situation. The fact that the permit is paid for means that whoever is replacing them is accounted for in the daily quota. Just for backup, you could take a photocopy of driver's license of the person who backed out, and have that person write on it that they give their Kalalau permit (dates) to Name of replacement. I think that permits are non-transferrable so that they cannot be hoarded and resold. You can always call the permit office to see about changing the name, since it's just one person out of several in your group. If there's not enough time to have them mail the new permit, you can go there in person before your hike, if you really want do things by the book. But like I said, I don't think it's a big deal. ZAM, permits are frustrating, but how else can you deal with a demand greater than the limited natural environment can support? In the popular campgrounds and wildernesses of California (think Yosemite and Whitney Portal), quotas and permits are required, otherwise these areas would be overrun and trashed. I'm sure it's similar in Colorado. In any case, if you read this, let us know how your trip went and whether you had any cool experiences in Kalalau. Hiker, I would say that your friend will be fine, it should be fairly easy to explain the situation. The fact that the permit is paid for means that whoever is replacing them is accounted for in the daily quota. Just for backup, you could take a photocopy of driver’s license of the person who backed out, and have that person write on it that they give their Kalalau permit (dates) to Name of replacement.

I think that permits are non-transferrable so that they cannot be hoarded and resold. You can always call the permit office to see about changing the name, since it’s just one person out of several in your group. If there’s not enough time to have them mail the new permit, you can go there in person before your hike, if you really want do things by the book. But like I said, I don’t think it’s a big deal.

ZAM, permits are frustrating, but how else can you deal with a demand greater than the limited natural environment can support? In the popular campgrounds and wildernesses of California (think Yosemite and Whitney Portal), quotas and permits are required, otherwise these areas would be overrun and trashed. I’m sure it’s similar in Colorado. In any case, if you read this, let us know how your trip went and whether you had any cool experiences in Kalalau.

]]> By: Hiker http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-89315 Hiker Mon, 02 Aug 2010 16:49:30 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-89315 Hi, I have permits for th hike, however one of my friends backed out but the permit is under his name. I have another friend who is interested and would like to go but I understand that permits are non transferrable? Do you know, if we had a permit but it's not under his name, if we get stopped by a ranger, would we get ticketed? Thanks. Hi, I have permits for th hike, however one of my friends backed out but the permit is under his name. I have another friend who is interested and would like to go but I understand that permits are non transferrable? Do you know, if we had a permit but it’s not under his name, if we get stopped by a ranger, would we get ticketed? Thanks.

]]> By: ZAM http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-88823 ZAM Wed, 14 Jul 2010 07:07:28 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-88823 Hey there I have been on Kauai for 2 weeks now, and will be heading into the Valley for an unknown amount of time in 2 days. Probably will end up staying for atleast a few days. I am going alone, I am in good condition, COLORADO PACKER for sure. I hiked the Kalalau trail 2 miles in, and up to the water fall the other day, beautiful. I have been to Na Pali or Kalalau via boat for a short short amount of time. I am really hoping to meet someone cool. I am 21 years old, and at a point in life already that I have worked for. I'm stoked to check out the whole area. All I have heard is good, except for the government side of things... Dont even get me started. I do have a camping pass, but not for the full time I will be there (they sold out?) which is crazy. But atleast I have paid and registered with the man. I am going to go in for a few days, and see how it is. If I have the oppurtunity to stay for a few more weeks, I may do that. We will see... Hey there
I have been on Kauai for 2 weeks now, and will be heading into the Valley for an unknown amount of time in 2 days. Probably will end up staying for atleast a few days.

I am going alone, I am in good condition, COLORADO PACKER for sure. I hiked the Kalalau trail 2 miles in, and up to the water fall the other day, beautiful. I have been to Na Pali or Kalalau via boat for a short short amount of time. I am really hoping to meet someone cool. I am 21 years old, and at a point in life already that I have worked for. I’m stoked to check out the whole area. All I have heard is good, except for the government side of things… Dont even get me started.
I do have a camping pass, but not for the full time I will be there (they sold out?) which is crazy. But atleast I have paid and registered with the man. I am going to go in for a few days, and see how it is. If I have the oppurtunity to stay for a few more weeks, I may do that. We will see…

]]> By: Andy http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-88140 Andy Sun, 13 Jun 2010 05:45:18 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-88140 I believe that all permit slots for Kalalau are reservable, meaning that there are none set aside for walk-ins. And during the summer, they are usually entirely reserved ahead of time. However, if there are any unreserved permit slots, or a cancellation, you can find out about them and get them in person at the State Parks office in Lihue. It's always best to call them to get an idea, at 808-274-3444 (8am-12 and 1-4pm Hawaiian time). As for being pregnant, only your doctor can advise you. Personally, I would try to discourage my wife from going if she were pregnant, for several reasons: - It is a long hike and strenuous hike, even if you camp in Hanakoa both ways. But Hanakoa is wet and muddy and sometimes full of trash, so I usually suggest pushing yourself to get an early start and go all the way, except in your case. - The single biggest difficulty of the hike is the humidity. Hawaii is not especially muggy, but the humidity is high, and you're carrying a lot of weight up and down some 2500' feet of elevation gain. So you'll sweat a lot, and you'll need to drink a lot. - Drinking water must be purified, and there are several ways to do it. You need to check with your doctor about what methods are safe during pregnancy. I believe that all permit slots for Kalalau are reservable, meaning that there are none set aside for walk-ins. And during the summer, they are usually entirely reserved ahead of time. However, if there are any unreserved permit slots, or a cancellation, you can find out about them and get them in person at the State Parks office in Lihue. It’s always best to call them to get an idea, at 808-274-3444 (8am-12 and 1-4pm Hawaiian time).

As for being pregnant, only your doctor can advise you. Personally, I would try to discourage my wife from going if she were pregnant, for several reasons:

- It is a long hike and strenuous hike, even if you camp in Hanakoa both ways. But Hanakoa is wet and muddy and sometimes full of trash, so I usually suggest pushing yourself to get an early start and go all the way, except in your case.

- The single biggest difficulty of the hike is the humidity. Hawaii is not especially muggy, but the humidity is high, and you’re carrying a lot of weight up and down some 2500′ feet of elevation gain. So you’ll sweat a lot, and you’ll need to drink a lot.

- Drinking water must be purified, and there are several ways to do it. You need to check with your doctor about what methods are safe during pregnancy.

]]> By: missv http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-88139 missv Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:40:46 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-88139 hi! is it possible to get a "last minute" permit? i read somewhere that in lihue they issue permits for the same time - that week? we are coming in august 6, 2010. also, is it crazy for my husband and i to do this hike at 4 months pregnant? i am in good shape, as is he. i would say we are experienced hikers. its the water cleaning that i worry about most, frankly... hi! is it possible to get a “last minute” permit? i read somewhere that in lihue they issue permits for the same time – that week? we are coming in august 6, 2010.

also, is it crazy for my husband and i to do this hike at 4 months pregnant? i am in good shape, as is he. i would say we are experienced hikers. its the water cleaning that i worry about most, frankly…

]]> By: rob http://great-hikes.com/blog/kalalau-questions/#comment-86780 rob Mon, 12 Apr 2010 06:57:01 +0000 http://great-hikes.com/blog/?p=157#comment-86780 How much is the fine if you have no permit???Are there constant ranger patrols??Ireally want to go here in a month, but failed to get a permit, they are all sold out it seems.I will gladly pay all fines but i just dont want them to drag me and my wife out of there after all the money well spend getting there... ya know....THX in advance for any info How much is the fine if you have no permit???Are there constant ranger patrols??Ireally want to go here in a month, but failed to get a permit, they are all sold out it seems.I will gladly pay all fines but i just dont want them to drag me and my wife out of there after all the money well spend getting there… ya know….THX in advance for any info

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