Comments on: More Kalalau Questions

By: Jason M

Jason M — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:22:53 +0000

I recently got back from a trip to Kalalau I took with my girlfriend, and saw something there that I’ve found almost nothing about anywhere on the web. At the end of the beach, closest to Honopu, we encountered a cave with about 100 or so rock structures that had been created from the stones in the cave. They were all balanced and stacked in seemeingly gravity defying manner, and happening upon them unexpectedly was otherworldly, even mystical. They’re like altars, in a way. It was like uncovering Stonehenge… I’ve looked for stories and pictures on the net, but only found mention of them twice. Do you know anything about them?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:31:38 +0000

I live here on Kauai, but I’m about to embark on my first trip into Kalalau. Being friends with many of the ‘hippies’ that go in regularly, it is understood to be helpful to come into the valley with trade items. I’ve been searching for any ideas outside of the usual suggestions like coffee, rolling tobacco and honey. I thought you might like to add a section covering this … ;0)

By: damon

damon — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:54:09 +0000

My wife and I are huge movie buffs and want to do the hike to kalalau beach specifically to try and make it to Honopu Arch. We will be going in late April, is it possible we could swim there during that time of year? Do we have to worry about being swept to sea, smashed against rocks or eaten by sharks? I know it’s only about 230 yards, but that’s a long way in those conditions…if swimming is not the answer how can we get there?

By: willis

willis — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:17:21 +0000

how do i hike from the beach at kalaulau to big pool? i’ve tried 3 times and never found it!

By: Justin

Justin — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:21:13 +0000

Ralph – you are going to have to drive from Lihue to Haena, google maps says its less than 40 miles but I would allocate 1.5-2 hrs, much of the driving on the north shore is very very slow, crossing single lane bridges waiting on traffic, plus finding parking at the trailhead took some time when i’ve been myself…

By: Ralph

Ralph — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:45:28 +0000

I am hiking the Kalalau in Mid September. Still in the early stages of logistics, but we will be doing it in 4 days (one in and one out and 2 beach days). We are staying overnight in Lihue the night before the hike. What is the drive time from Lihue to the trail head? Some entries say leave super early (as with all hikes;-), so is that reasonable to say we could make that drive in, say, a couple hours?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:01:33 +0000

I tried posting this comment before, but it didn’t go through for some reason.

I hiked the Kalalau trail about 13 years ago in October. It was not only my first backpacking trip, but it was my first solo backpacking trip. It was awesome.

There is one danger that I didn’t find mentioned in your post or in one of your referenced sources. It involves the kukui nut tree. While at Kalalau beach, I was enjoying some vegetarian chili with the “hippies” and listening to one of them talk about the dangers of kukui nut trees. He said that they tend to drop their branches after heavy rains, and he related a very engrossing story about some Japanese tourists who were nearly clobbered by a kukui nut tree branch.

When it was time to go to bed, I walked back to my campsite and found a massive tree branch had fallen right across my tent. It had come down with such force that the metal tent spikes were thrown clear of the camp site and bent beyond usefulness. If I had been in that tent when the branch had fallen, I would probably be dead now. God must have been watching over me during that trip.

So, the obvious moral of the story is: DON’T CAMP UNDER A KUKUI NUT TREE.

By: MM

MM — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 16:47:25 +0000

Someone should thank you for this post. It’s VERY informative. Allow me to do so. I’ve hiked Kalalau and wish I would have read this (or your previous Kalalau post) before the attempt. Thanks again, Andy.

P.S. Your thoughts on the tunnel hike as mentioned by you and “Ultimate Kauai Guidebook” would be greatly appreciated…and don’t think of it as charity..these will make great additions to your future book!