Heading to Kauai in June...beach status?

[KauaiMark]

The beach at the north end (can't remember the name (Kea'i?)was closed for a few years after storm damage. Heard rumors that the beach is now open but only for locals.

Update? --- Mark Perry

 

[slip]

Ke’e, it is open but you have to get a parking pass before you can go up there.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

See this thread for the latest info:

Overnight parking now available at Ha’ena

 

[artringwald]

Here's the web site to reserve parking passes or get the shuttle.

https://www.gohaena.com/

 

[leoprdsoul]

Ke’e, it is open but you have to get a parking pass before you can go up there.

There are also shuttles from the Foodland shopping center in Princeville, which is a great idea! The number of cars going up there and also parking all over the place before the mudslides was just way too much.

 

[Chrispee]

Anyone know if a parking pass is needed for Tunnels Beach?

 

[DeniseM]

Yes, but the website says that Ha'ena/Tunnels are currently closed.

 

[DeniseM]

Are there any tricks to booking the shuttle? Like do you need to make the reservation at midnight Hawaii time at exactly 30 days out? I am seeing zero availability for the days I checked, but maybe it books solid every day.

 

[DeniseM]

OK - either it's easier to get a parking pass, than a shuttle ticket, or the shuttle tickets sell out first, or shuttle purchase is not working.

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Anyone know if a parking pass is needed for Tunnels Beach?

Yes, but the website says that Ha'ena/Tunnels are currently closed.

When we were there in August Ha'ena and Tunnels were open - Ke'e is what has restricted access.

It is confusing, because Ha'ena Beach Park, where there is a parking lot and lifeguard towers, next to the dry cave, (see below) is open as before. But Ha'ena State Park (where Ke'e Beach and the Kalalau trailhead is located) is restricted.

Since Tunnels is not part of Ha'ena State Park, and is actually east of Ha'ena Beach Park, it is open. Of course the challenge is finding parking - now there's even more competition for parking there.

What is restricted is the end of the road. In the second photo below, that parking lot is now the end of the road. That is the former Ke'e beach overflow parking lot, which typically had two-foot deep potholes you needed to avoid. Now, you can't get past that point, and you can't park in the parking lot unless you have a permit. But everything up to (east of) that point is open, including Ha'ena Beach Park, Tunnels, and Kepuhi.

Last August we couldn't find parking at Ha'ena Beach Park, and, as usual parking right at the access to Tunnels was impossible, We ended up parking on a side street near the YMCA Camp between Kepuhi and Tunnels, and then walked back toward Tunnels.

Ha'ena Beach Park. No change.

Ha'ena (Ke'e) Beach parking lot - now the end of the road

 

[DeniseM]

I'm still confused - If I have a permit, can I park in the Ke'e over flow parking lot and walk to Ke'e? Are the beach and water closed at Ke'e?

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

I'm still confused - If I have a permit, can I park in the Ke'e over flow parking lot and walk to Ke'e? Are the beach and water closed at Ke'e?

The permit gets you into the parking lot shown in my second photo. From there you would walk to Ke'e. Apparently, a second permit is now needed if you want to hike the Kalalau Trail, even if you are only doing that as a day trip.

 

[geist1223]

Remember is you want to stay the whole day you will need more than one permit. Also if you want to Hike to the water fall this will take 6 to 8 hours round trip.