Kalalau Trail Hunting Information & Regulations
The rugged valleys and steep ridges flanking the Kalalau Trail are located within Hunting Unit G of the Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park. The state utilizes regulated public hunting to help manage feral animal populations that threaten native Hawaiian flora and accelerate cliffside soil erosion.
Because this wilderness area is shared by both remote backpackers and licensed hunters, understanding the boundaries, open seasons, and safety protocols is essential for everyone on the coast.
For Hikers: What You Need to Know
If you are backpacking to Kalalau Beach, it is entirely possible you will encounter hunters or hear gunshots echoing deep in the valleys. Do not be alarmed—this is a normal and legal activity during certain times of year, within designated sections of the state park.
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Stay on the Trail: Hunting is strictly prohibited directly on the Kalalau Trail corridor itself and within established camping boundaries. As long as you remain on the designated trail, you are completely safe.
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Expect Hunting Dogs: Local hunters frequently utilize tracking dogs to navigate the dense undergrowth. These dogs are working animals and are accustomed to being in the backcountry.
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Wear Bright Colors: If you plan to explore authorized side trails deep into the valleys (such as the Hanakāpīʻai Falls trail or the interior of Hanakoa), consider wearing bright, high-visibility clothing (like orange, red, or bright blue) so you are easily spotted from the ridges.
Active Game & Seasons
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Feral Goats: Open year-round in designated sections of Unit G. Hunting methods are typically restricted to archery, muzzleloaders, or conventional rifles depending on the specific weekend calendar set by the state.
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Feral Pigs: Open year-round. Hunting feral pigs along the coast heavily relies on the use of knives and tracking dogs to protect the delicate watershed environments.
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Season Scheduling: Public hunting in Unit G is generally restricted to weekends and state holidays rather than weekdays, heavily minimizing the crossover traffic with general trail hikers.
Strict Legal Boundaries
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The Safety Buffer Zone: It is strictly illegal to discharge any firearm or bow within 300 feet of the Kalalau Trail, designated campsites (Hanakoa and Kalalau Beach), emergency helicopter pads, or any park infrastructure.
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No Hunting in Day-Use Areas: Hunting is completely prohibited within the boundaries of Hāʻena State Park (the first 2 miles of the trail up to the Hanakāpīʻai stream boundary).
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Waste Management: Hunters are required to follow standard backcountry regulations. Taking game requires packing out meat responsibly and ensuring no carcasses are left near freshwater streams or trail pathways.
How to Secure a Hawaiʻi Hunting License
All hunters must possess a valid State of Hawaiʻi Hunting License and a valid Unit G permit stamp before entering the backcountry. If you are a visiting hunter from the US Mainland, you must complete a Hawaiʻi Hunter Education Exempt Request online by uploading your home state’s hunter safety certification before you can purchase a license.
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Log into the official DLNR portal at outdoor.hawaii.gov/hunting.
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Complete your profile and submit your safety certifications.
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Purchase your annual license and select the specific Kauai Unit G lottery or open permit tags.
