Cat, Things are'nt like they used to be on Kauai. No one gets to stay back without a permit in K' trail. matter of fact, every few weeks now, not months, the rangers go in and slash and burn all the camps. No more staying back, due to some nasty times going on back there.

It was one thing when folks went out and were respectaful, now they almost crap right in the streams, washing their orfices and everything else in them, YUCK! Too many of the 'camp people' started staking out territories and fighting amongst themselves, HPS came in and put an end to 90% of it last year.

Car insurance? DON'T RENT! Cars end up stolen from most trailheads because the methheads know you'll be gone for hours! This is what a rental looks like after they have their way with it! I saw a limo' done up like this, right next to a HFD Stn! A freakin' STRETCH LIMO FOLKS!

Back in the 80's when I lived there, there were whole groups that lived back there. They even used to climb up to the Waimaia overlook into Ko'kee to visit.

I guess it's even worse now if they take the whole car! They used to just smash & grab. It was not safe to sleep on the beaches, so I guess I see why now campgrounds might not be the thing.

Still, Kauai has the best hiking trails in the world!

Hi Gene,

I just read your very insightful and helpful advice on backpacking and camping in Hawaii, and at the risk of forcing you into a virtual tourguide position I was wondering if you had some advice and recommendations for backpacking on Kauai? My Fiancee and I will be honeymooning there for about 13 days and plan on hiking the Kalalau trail, then camping around the island and doing short day trips and finishing with three nights at a B&B and some scuba diving.

Any tips would be much appreciated

Cheers

Aaron,

I posted quite a bit for Tim Cheek on the 'Trips forum' see that post, then if you want more just let me know there and I'll hook you up! I can give you more specifics if you give me your 'specs', fitness level, comfort zone with heights & wetness, water sports, etc. Lots of fun to be had, I could tailor your trip if you let me know your preferences.

Aaron,

I noticed you were putting scuba diving at the end of your trip. Be extremely careful about this, you need observe proper times for de-nitrogenation before you get into an airplane of any kind or visit high altitude areas. There are even longer nitrogen requirements for un-pressurized planes. Are you PADI or SSI certified already? If so, this was part of your training and you can go back over your materials for exact dates & elevations.

Aaron, I have to agree with Joseph's post regarding scuba diving on your trip. It slipped past me when I read your post. You are better off snorkeling, than scuba, IMO on Kauai. A few reasons come to mind, the main ones are; the surf is rough at high tides, the boat dives are $$, you'll have more time for other stuff as scuba takes up pretty much a whole day for a couple of hours, at most, in the water.

Spend a few days on the NorthEast side of Kauai, in Kapa'a, Kileua, Hanalei, staying over in Princeville(cheapest)taking day trips from here to the afore-mentioned towns for enjoyable site-seeing.

THEN, head over to the West side of the Island to Waimea Canyon, and camp out and backpack for the last few days; ending with a day in PoiPu hotel for a relaxing day and great little market by the Sea for souviner hunting.

If you are flying through Honolulu then let me know, otherwise Lihue has some nice resturants on the water, and a few things worth seeing, but is the Main city on Kauai.