Weather
Kalalau Trail closed due to weather/landslide
A landslide along the Kuhio Highway has closed the road that leads to Hanalei and the Kalalau Trail. The landslide occurred on the morning of March 11, 2021. Initial estimates are that it could take 3 months to fully reopen....
When a Storm Hits
Even with best laid plans, you can’t control the weather. This was our experience when a storm hit the north shore of Hawaii’s Kauai island a day before forecasted, leaving us and a number of other hikers stranded on the Kalalau Trail overnight. We battled treacherous paths and 100km/h wind gusts as we navigated back from the beautiful Kalalau Beach.
Surviving a rogue wave
“Get ready to run,” I said to my wife as we watched a muscular swell gain momentum shortly after noon Monday at Hanakapi‘ai Beach. Like the 40 or so people at the beach, we’d hiked the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail on a brilliant sunny day, watching towering...
Story of 27 backpackers that survived Kalalau during the storm of a century
The story of 27 backpackers that survived Kalalau during the storm of a century.... Story, Photos & Video by: Lani Violet (Used by permission) This is only a small portion of our crazy story experiencing the North shore Kauai floods. We were among the most extreme...
Is the Kalalau Trail open today?
One of the most common questions asked is "Is the trail open today?" or "Will the trail re-open by tomorrow?" Trail closures are controlled by the State of Hawaii, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). There are two main types of closures - planned...
Hikers Risk Lives Trying to Cross Swollen Stream: Video
As was reported by many news agencies this week, there were several hikers stranded along the Kalalau Trail on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 when the Hanakapiai Stream was swollen due to a storm. Some hikers tried to cross the stream using a makeshift line but were...
And again….. 32 Kalalau Trail Hikers Airlifted to Safety
The Kaua‘i Fire Department airlifted 32 stranded hikers from the Kalalau Valley Wednesday evening after rising waters made the Hanakapiai Stream impassable.
When the Kalalau Trail is closed
On occasion parts of the Kalalau Trail is closed to visitors. Sometimes this is due to trail maintenance or a planned event like it was last summer for the feral goat and pig hunt. When these planned events happen, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of State Parks does not issue permits during that time period. This can be disappointing if you were planning a trip for that time period but at least you can find out ahead of time that there are no permits available.
The Danger of Swollen Streams
There are several stream crossings along the Kalalau Trail. These water crossings can be a great place to take a break, fill water containers and canteens or even cool off by taking a dip. While most of the time the streams are a blessing, they, like most other things, can have their negative side. During or following a big storm, these streams can swell up and become raging rivers. They aren’t the harmless oasises that they usually are, but rather they become dangerous, sucking torrents of water that can injure or imperil hikers.
62 People airlifted from Kalalau on Christmas Eve
The Kaua‘i Fire Department has airlifted over 60 people from the Kalalau Valley today after multiple streams became impassable.
One male hiker suffered a non-life threatening injury and was flown to Princeville Airport, where awaiting medics transported him to Wilcox Hospital.
Stranded on the Kalalau Trail Video
December 2014, Andy and I went on a backpacking trip on Kauai’s scenic Kalalau Trail. Little did we know that days of rain can cause raging rivers that are impassible. The only way across the rivers was to wait or catch the Kauai’s rescue helicopter.
10 people stranded
County spokeswoman Sarah Blane said the Kauai Fire Department reported about 10 individuals were stranded on the far side of Hanakapiai Stream around 4 p.m. on Monday. Ocean Safety personnel made contact with the group and provided them with food and water to remain overnight, since weather conditions did not allow for a rescue.
Kalalau Trail Hiker Swept Down Hanakoa Stream
On Friday, 2 days after the Kalalau Trail was closed due to Storms Iselle and Julio approaching, a 19-year old woman was swept downstream while attempting to cross the stream at Hanakoa. The woman, who had been camping at Kalalau with a 24-year old male friend, was last seen as she was swept away downstream. The friend attempted to find her as he made his way down to the shore but was unsuccessful. He then hiked out to contact authorities.
Body found in Kalalau Valley identified
It was confirmed on Monday that the body found on Thursday, April 17 was that of Daniel Foster (31) from Frisco, Texas. An autopsy performed by authorities determined that he died of injuries consistent with a fall.
121 hikers airlifted from Hanakapi’ai
Several hikers were stranded at Hanakapi’ai on Sunday, April 6, 2014 when stream waters swelled up making it unsafe to cross. The Kauai Fire Department was notified of the issue around 4:00 pm on Sunday and were able to rescue 23 of the stranded hikers on Sunday evening, along with the remaining 98 on Monday morning. They were able to rescue up to 4 hikers at a time with each flight of Air 1, their rescue helicopter, making a total of 25 trips. 2 of the fire rescuers stayed with the 98 hikers overnight.
