and Hawaii ... Travel Ezine 08/20/01 issue - Guide to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai

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Guide to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai

The and Hawaii ... Travel Ezine, dated 08/20/01, by Lisa Weber

++++ In this Issue ++++

01. Title Article - Na Pali Coast
02. Travels deals - ocean resort, kauai package, airfare
03. Hawaiian Word - miki'ala
04. Hawaiian article - big island and maui travelogue
05. Website - aloha spirit law
06. Featured Links -

Aloha everyone, what do you do if you see a Hawaiian Monk seal with a pup? Stay away! That is, unless you'd like to find out what a seal bite feels like. Earlier this month, a visitor from Texas was "nipped" on the butt by a mother seal who felt he got a little to close to her baby in Poipu, Kauai. Authorities have imposed a no-swim zone around the area Mom has chosen for her current home, and they say the nip was just a warning.

As for the scoops on the Kalapana Lava Viewing Area, I haven't been yet, but I've heard its been going well. There is a parking area for aprroximately 200 cars, and its been almost full every day since the official opening last week.

The Details:

** The site is only open from 2 pm till 10 pm.
** No vehicles will be allowed in after 8:30 pm.
** There is an official viewing area and walking trail and the county says they will enforce their boundaries, possibly charging violators with trespass
** There will be volunteers in the area
** The hike is now 30 minutes each way, it is reported not to be difficult
** There is no running water in the area, but there *may* be some portable toilets

I'll make the trip as soon as possible and get back to you with more.

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01.

--- Guide to the Na Pali Coast on Kauai ---

The Na Pali (The Cliff) Coast is practically inaccessible - the only way in is to hike or be taken by boat. It is unspoiled, with unparalleled ocean and mountain views, and definitely worth a trip. The coast covers most of the North Shore of Kauai, with some cliffs as high as 4000 feet.

Na Pali Coast Pictures

Access to the Na Pali Coast is at the end of Highway 56 through Haena State Park. Permits are needed for most of the hiking and all of the camping. Permits are limited, and in great demand; they are sometimes all reserved up to a year in advance - plan early.

Permit application
Permit rules

-- Hiking in

The able-bodied have many hiking choices. A popular day trip is Ke'e Beach to Hanakapi'ai Valley. This is two miles one way, with spectacular ocean views on the way, ending at a perfect beach (except that the water is dangerous for swimming).

Visitor Travelogue with pictures
Another

From this beach, another two mile (more difficult) hike will take you to the back of the valley with a waterfall ending in a placid-enough pool. You can swim here, even going behind the falls. Try to stay away from the edge, as the waterfall brings down rocks.

Visitor Travelogue with pictures

Another popular trek is the Kalalau Trail, which is 11 miles long, difficult, and takes a few days. This is for experienced hikers only.

Read all about it here

-- Hiking Precautions

* Bring lots of water, there is none on the way
* Don't cross streams or rivers after rain - people get washed away
* Think twice if it is raining, the trail can get very muddy
* Don't swim if it says not to swim, people drown

-- Taking the trip on a boat

If you read the last web page above, you know that Captain Zodiac can ferry you out to Kalalau Beach, and bring you back - You'll have to swim from the boat to the beach though.

I took a Captain Zodiac morning raft trip along the coast, just for sightseeing and snorkeling in 1996. It was a great trip, almost rivalling the Fairwinds trip to Kealakekua Bay on the Big Island. We saw big fish, dolphins, goats (on the cliffs), a sea cave, and the grandness of the coast.

This is how close the dolphins came to the raft

Another option is to kayak - which you can do during the summer months only, due to dangerous waves in the winter. You can rent a kayak and go part of the way, or go all the way from Haena, all the way to the other side of the cliffs at Polihale. You can land and camp at Kalalau Beach and Milolii Beach.

Very experienced visitor travelogue with pictures

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---Internet Travel Deals Watch---

** check the web sites for details and restrictions

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Ocean Resort hotel for 5 nights, plus air from $474

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RT airfare from Seattle to Honolulu for $476

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Kauai 5 night packages from $563

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HawaiianCoffeeBeans - Bring the taste of the islands to you. Fine selection of Hawaiian coffee shipped directly to your door. Online discounts, free shipping, fast friendly service. It's a vacation in every cup.

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