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Date of Trip : January 6, 2008
Blog Written : October 27, 2008
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Na Pali Coast - an Hawaiian Wonder

Today's drive would take us one more time to the north coast of Kauai to have a closer look at the Na Pali Coast.

Our route to the end of Highway 56 took us through the scenic Hanalei Valley that is renowned for its taro fields. Taro is the plant from which the Hawaiian staple known as "poi" is made. Poi could be considered the rice or potato of Hawaii and has been around since the first Polynesians came to the islands. Unlike the rice or potato fields, taro fields actually could be considered as scenic.

Our first order of business, if that is a term that can be used during a vacation, was to hike a part of Kalalau Trail, which starts at the parking lot that marks the end of Highway 56 .

As I have mentioned in other blogs, the only way to see the Na Pali Coast by land is to put on hiking boots, carry plenty of water and nourishment and then hike as far as your motivation carries you.

Our aim in the hike was a rather modest one - to get a clear unobstructed view of the spectacular coast characterized by breath-taking sea cliffs. That could be achieved after about an hour's hike along up a strenuous, muddy trail.

The occasion was marked of course by a profusion of photos and smiles. It was a great feeling to see the coast that is so visible all over the Hawaiian Islands if you like looking at posters and advertisements.

I would be exaggerating to say that the Napali Coast is the "holy grail" of Hawaiian sights but I will say it anyway.

This spectacular coast of high, folded mountains covered in lush tropical vegetation extends from Kee Beach to spectacular and isolated Polihale Beach and Park on the western tip of the island .
(see Blog No. 114)

We had now kissed both ends of the Napali Coast, so to speak.

To some extent it was like "kissing your sister" because to really do the Na Pali Coast justice would require a multi-day hike, a helicopter flight or an excursion by catamaran.

All three options were not in the cards for us. A multi-day hike was not an option due to time restraints and lack of expertise in these matters. The helicopter and catamaran were rejected due to cost and unwillingness to sit through a time-share presentation to get either of these free or at a reduced cost.

The fact that we turned around after an hour of hiking was mitigated somewhat by assurances from several hikers that the scenery was not significantly improved (not that it needed to be since it was already spectacular) by hiking another hour further along the coast.

It was thus that we turned around to get on with the rest of our day all the while content in the knowledge that we had indeed had a glimpse at the Napali Coast.

Coming Soon: Ke'e Beach - the Beautiful and One More Stab at Snorkeling