Hā’ena State Park – Kauai, Hawaii Photography
Getting shots at sunset like this will be worth all the hassle of getting here. Photo by Pamela Goodyer
HĀ‘ENA STATE PARK PHOTOGRAPHY AREA
Discover the stunning beauty of Ke’e Beach and embark on an adventure with a hike along the renowned Kalalau Trail at Hā’ena State Park. Situated at the tip of Kauai’s northern shore, this state park is a must-visit destination for any traveler. As you make your way down the winding Kuhio Highway, you’ll reach the end of the road and find yourself at the entrance to this park. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to Photograph—Kauai at Hā’ena State Park.
This was one of the top spots on Kauai’s island, located in the northernmost section. We only found three good locations on this island. I would not travel to this island to take photographs. We did not have an easy time finding dynamic subject matter for photography on this island, but we’ve found it here.
You can fly over this Jurassic Park area or boat around it. You can also hike this steep trail that starts here, but it is considered one of the world’s most dangerous hikes. After our trip, we heard about the homeless people who steal from you along the trail, but we don’t seem to see much written about it. It’s dangerous since many people have died while hiking the trail.
We got some magnificent sunrise and sunset pictures and probably a few top-notch photos from the journey, and the one above is one of them. We usually get about 50 high-quality images to die for and several hundred good shots, but not on this trip: Queen’s Bath, Hanalei Bay, and Milky Way photography during the Milky Way season are the only dynamic places we found. We went when the core of the Milky Way wasn’t visible.
WHEN TO GO
This side of the island experiences a lot of rain in winter, with harsh and high waves.
LOCALS AND HIDDEN LOCATIONS
We can’t blame them! The locals are tight-lipped when sharing insider information about their hidden gems. After all, they don’t want tourists flocking to these secluded spots and disrupting the peace. So we traveled to all of the known locations. And this is one of them. But this spot is just too perfect for capturing breathtaking sunset photos. Watch for that massive wave that curls perfectly, and try zooming in for a shot. We were better prepared with a zoom lens but had no one to guide us. We traveled here almost ten years ago.
There’s a cool cave nearby that you can explore. Walking on the rocks to get the sunset shot above can be tricky, so pack accordingly if you plan on staying until the sun sinks below the horizon and paints the sky with stunning colors. Another option is to stay on the beach and use the rocks as foreground elements in your photo.
HIKING THE KALALAU TRAIL
The rugged Na Pali Coast of Hawaii can only be explored by hiking the challenging Kalalau Trail. This difficult path leads adventurers through five verdant valleys, each more breathtaking than the last. But it is not for the faint of heart, as the journey culminates at the imposing Kalalau Beach, guarded by towering cliffs that define this iconic coastline. Savor every step and take in the raw beauty of nature on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. It’s eleven miles one way. It’s also known as one of the most dangerous trails due to the many fatalities that happen along the trail.
You can hike the trail, but we didn’t. When we returned from Hawaii to New Jersey, the news showed how the hiking trail had flooded out, and people were stranded. We had just gotten home! If you follow us, you know we prefer photography over hiking; hence, we do not hike the trail. You need a permit to hike past the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail.
During a torrential downpour, the once peaceful hiking trail becomes treacherous. One wrong step can result in a fatal fall over cliffs. Sudden storms and unpredictable creek levels can also cause hikers to be stranded for hours or be swept away by strong currents. Even careful hikers are not safe from danger, as rocks can come tumbling down, and unstable cliff sides can collapse at any moment.
Hā’ena is also home to the trailhead of the Hanakāpīʻai Falls trail.
HOW TO GET THERE
Hā’ena State Park – Drive the only main road on the eastern side of the island north – Route 560. Go through Princeville and Hanalei. There is one excellent spot to stop near the one-way bridge on a side street to get a shot of the fields and mountains. Then keep going to the end, where you will find this location. There is also a spot to stop at with horses and a mountain view on your left before reaching the end of the road. There is a parking lot on your right where you can park. It’s busy here at all.
HOW BUSY WILL IT GET?
The parking lots are full, and plenty of people and tourists will be around. We struggled to find a parking spot until one opened up, so try to get there early or midweek. Hā’ena State Park now limits visitors to 900 per day and requires reservations up to 30 days before your visit.
PARKING: There are only 70 stalls available for visitors.
- You can reserve a parking voucher for $10/timeslot plus $5/person at this link: https://www.gohaena.com/
There are time slots for parking – Morning (6:30 am-12:30 pm), Afternoon (12:30 pm-5:30 pm), and Sunset (4:30pm-sunset).
Unfortunately, due to the lack of cell service at the park, you cannot access your online tickets upon arrival.
