Two miles of Hawaii’s heavily trafficked Kuhio Highway closed in April 2018 after heavy rainfall led to floods, and now it’s finally open again.
The highway on the northern part of Kauai is the only access point to the popular Napali Coast State Wilderness Park and Haena State Park — an access point that has been closed for over 14 months.
To prevent the area from once again being overcrowded with tourists, the Haena State Park master plan calls for limiting visitor numbers to 900 a day (previously, 3,000 people were entering the park daily). Non-Hawaii residents who walk, bike, drive, or come by shuttle will be required to make advance reservations and pay a small fee. Hikers who go beyond the two-mile mark at the stream crossing are required to make reservations and obtain a special camping permit for $20 a night. Reservations can be made online, and will cost $1 per person and $5 per vehicle; a parking reservation grants park access for the driver and passengers.
