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 sucked into the stream when the line broke and were lucky to escape with their lives. Other hikers, after watching the ordeal, decided to wait to cross until it was safer. They ended up waiting until the next morning. The trial was closed from around 5:00 pm on Tuesday until about Noon on Wednesday when the stream calmed down and it was safe to cross.
If you are planning to hike the Kalalau Trail, please use caution. I’d suggest reading “The Danger of Swollen Streams”
Below is a video shared by the DLNR
Here’s the full text of the DLNR press release:
BACKPACKERS STRANDED BY FLOODED HANAKAPIAI STREAM BACK TO SAFETY
Kalalau Trail on Kauai Now Open Again
(Lihue) – At least a dozen Kalalau Trail backpackers were forced to spend an extra night camping in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park, after Hanakapiai Stream flooded yesterday afternoon.
The Kauai County Fire Dept. was alerted about the stranded hikers but due to strong winds and continued rain, the department was unable to fly its rescue helicopter, Air One, to the scene. Instead county lifeguards from the Kee Beach tower hiked the two miles to the stream to communicate with the stranded people. Prior to the lifeguards reaching the stream crossing, backpackers describe others who panicked and fashioned a thin line to cross the fast moving water.
Valeria Gracheva and Martin Guski of Germany hiked out to the trailhead this morning. They say it was no big deal for them to stay an extra night in the park. Their decision was reinforced as they watched in horror, as a man and woman clung to the makeshift line in rushing, chest-deep water. At one point Gracheva says the woman lost her grip, went into the stream, and then at the last second, as her companion grabbed for her, she was able to climb onto his back. Gracheva said, “So we thought it was over for her.”
Hanakapiai Stream, at flood stage has claimed numerous lives over the years, when people attempting to cross it are swept out to sea. The DLNR Division of State Parks closes the Kalalau Trail in advance of flood warnings and immediately after and during flash flooding. A state parks ranger hiked to the stream crossing this morning before giving the all-clear to reopen Napali Coast State Wilderness Park to hikers and backpackers. Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) were stationed at the trailhead to warn users of the closure.
This latest stream flooding and the incident the backpackers described is why fire and parks officials continually warn hikers not to cross Hanakapiai or any other stream along the Napali Coast until waters have receded. Backpacker Alexander Lau of Oahu also witnessed the couple crossing the stream at high water. He said, “After the last couple came very close to death and at that point everyone said you guys shouldn’t cross and I was of the same decision because the risk seemed too high.”
No one was hurt in the flooding and all of the stranded backpackers made it back to their cars this morning. The Kalalau trail re-opened by noon.