We are excited to welcome you back to North Shore Kauai. Our Kauai vacation rentals at Princeville Resort, Hanalei and Anini Beach-Kilauea, provide a great starting point to enjoy to all of the splendor for which this part of the island is renowned.
Highway Has Reopened to Tunnels Beach, Haena State Park and the famed Kalalau Trail.
For the first time since the historic rainfall and flooding in April 2018, the section of highway between Hanalei and Kee Beach has reopened to the public. Visitors will be strictly limited to 900 each day to preserve the pristine nature of this world famous area. Reservations are required for cars or the shuttle bus. See below for more details.
Note: Illegal parking will result in a $200 parking fine plus $200 surcharge. There will be a security checkpoint for entry and daily advisories at Haena.
Parking and Shuttle Reservations:
To park your car, a reservation can be made online up to 14 days in advance. There are two parking times available daily at 6:30am and 12:30pm. The cost is $5.00 per voucher. There is no overnight parking.
Walk-in visitors who does not arrive on the Shuttle will also need a reservation. The cost is $1 for the entry fee which is valid from 6:30am to 5:30pm.
Shuttle reservations include entry fee. The cost is $11 round-trip per person. Departure points are from the Princeville Makai Club or Waipa Farmer’s Market on the other side of Hanalei.
Tunnels Beach Advisory: There will be no parking allowed on the highway in the vicinity of Tunnels Beach. That area must be accessed at Haena Beach.
Travel beyond the first two miles (Hanakapiai Falls) requires a permit, as has always been the case. Overnight campers will not be able to leave their vehicles at Haena State Park, and are required to either use the shuttle or arrange to be dropped off at the trail-head.
The reservation system for overnight camping will function as it has for some time, and those with camping permits are not subject to the visitor limits.
Hanalei Bay and Black Pot Beach is Open.
Automobile access has been restored to the Hanalei Pier and Blackpot Beach with new parking lots and restrooms. There is also parking near the lifeguard pavilion at the center of the Bay, or at the far end which is known as Pine Trees.
Links to more Helpful Information.
Please use the following for help determining the current situation prior to visiting.
Questions related to the State Parks, the new reservation system, or other inquires should be directed to the State of Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources at (808) 587-0396 or (808) 587-0300.
Information from Hawaii Department of Transportation at Kuhio Highway Emergency Repairs.
New road repair this summer near Hanalei Bridge.
Hawaii Department of Transportation continues their emergency hillside stabilization work on the Kuhio highway which leads to the Hanalei Bridge. Traffic is reduced to one lane shared in both directions near the bridge, from 7am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. There will also be intermittent 30-45 minute closures in both directions. That work is expected to be completed in late summer. Until then, expect additional delays when travelling north of Princeville and on the return.
12 Responses
Coming to Kauai 4/16/23. Confused about venturing north of Princeville. Any information or tips would be appreciated. Already tried to get a permit to drive to Ke’e but none are available. $70 for my wife and I to take the shuttle is ridiculous .
We have recently heard the Princeville Makai Golf course has closed. True? Also, are the shops and restaurants open in Hanalei? My wife and I have been coming to Kuai for 20+ years but we realize there are many changes and some not good. We are thinking of cancelling our reservations but need some good information on Hanalei and the North Shore environment. Please help. Thanks
Aloha Charles, it is great to hear from a long-time guest. The Makai course is open as of now (October 2020) and you can book tee times on their website and their Grill is open as well. As far as Hanalei goes, some stores have not reopened, but it and Ching Young and Princeville Center are open. Some with new stores as well.
Coming in May 2020 and am looking for tips!
Aloha Jill, please check out our blog pages for more tips. Our activities section provides a whole host of ideas including hikes, tours etc. and our beach guide provides the best info on all our beaches.
Looking for the newsletter. Thanks
We parked our car in the parking area adjacent to Lumahai Beach. A local put a large flourescent green sticker on our front windshield saying we were parked on private property and we were subject to booting and/or tow. Something fishy about the whole thing. The same guy approached me as I was removing the sticker so we could leave and tried to explain that locals have been given privileges by the land owner who lived across the street. My guess is I would not have been ticketed or towed and that they have no right to do what they did . . . but I may have been driving out on flat tires if I argued. #paradise lost. We’ve been coming for 15 years. But probably not anymore. Too many other places to see where people actually like us.
Please correct me if I am wrong about the private property claim if you know anything about this. I will gladly stand corrected.
Aloha Bill, Sorry to hear you had an unpleasant encounter. Everyone has been on edge during this difficult and stressful time getting used to a new normal. I do not know about the private property grants, but it is now best to park at Haena State Park (reservations made here). Reservations at Haena may be made up to 30 days in advance but no later than the day before your visit. Fifteen years is a long time and I hate to see long-time visitor go away, so please do not let a few people ruin many years of enjoyment. Most of us still want you to come visit.
100 bucks says you live in California
Yes. Private property is not our side street parking. Imagine living here and your property gets tour up, especially w all the rain and cars getting stuck. It is a special place and we need to be respectful the locals. Live aloha.
Can you now drive to Lumihi beach and park off the highway there? There is no shuttle stop. Where is the checkpoint?
Thank you.
Aloha Reed, There is no street parking on the highway. It is our understanding that for Lumahai, one must go to the river side and just pull into the area by the trees. However, this may change along the way. Best to read the signs and check back here for more updates.