January 10-15, 2006
       The Island of Kauai, one of the Pacific ocean Islands of Hawaii, is famous for it's "green".  The superfluous lushness and mountainous topography of Kauai creates an amazing terrain for hikers of all kinds.

 "Of all the Hawaiian Islands, none offers more trails or better hiking than Kauai."
                    Ultimate Kauai Guidebook 3rd Edition

Kauai's trails put forward a most rewarding experience for the curious adventurer delivering everything imaginable: canyon hikes, mountain hikes, powerline trails, coastline hikes, ridge hikes, jungle hikes and more.  All surrounded by this famous "green".  During a visit to Kauai, in January 2006, NagChaumpa experienced the "green", as well as, a few of these rewarding Kauai trail adventures.
 
                             
   What used to be a series of interconnecting irrigation tunnels has now become a secret tunnel to the North Shore.  Back in the 1920s the tunnels were constructed to use the abundant water from the Hanalei River to feed the east shore sugar crops.  When the irrigation was no longer needed on the east shore the flume designed to divert the water into the tunnels was removed leaving behind a secret tunnel to the North Shore.
 
"Getting there can be a sloppy affair."  Just getting to the start of the trail involves crossing several streams that very well could be flooded making it impassable.  We had to abandon the rental car due to a very large mud puddle stretched in the middle of the road, so our hike started early.  Then finding the trail was a challenge in the thickness of all the bamboo and growth.  The start of the trail branched off in several directions, leaving one in a trial and error situation on which way to go.
               
Once on the trail there is a 21/2 mile walk through very muddy conditions, up a mountain ridge, on a fairly narrow pathway
              
Then you hit water
And next thing you know there is the start of the first tunnel    
 
The tunnels are about 6 feet wide and roughly 7-10 feet high with a more than occasional need for a head duck and there are several tunnels each with their own unique flavor.  One was blocked off with rocks but passable.  Most had ankle high water running through them.  One was waist deep.  Another had ankle high mud for 2 miles.  And yet another filled with knee deep mud in one section.  We found  and traveled four.  There were more ahead of us too. Each tunnel opened up into a new and beautiful site as it neared us closer to the mouth of the Hanalei River on the North Shore.  When we finally hit the 5th tunnel and realized it required crawling on our bellies we decided we had  enough adventure for one day.
   
                      
 
  
We couldn't have done this one without Dean and Kay.  Two hikers from Colorado who taught us how to keep on trekking through the muddiest and darkest of times.


We hiked ourselves to one of the two public skateparks on the Island.  This one, being in the town of Kapa'a, was just recently paved just days before we got there.  The locals were stoked to have a place to skate and now a smooth surface to ride.  This park required no pads or helmets which the kids really appreciated with their non-existent incomes and little or no allowance. 

 


    
"The ultimate hike is also the famous hike in all Hawaii - 11 miles of switchbacks, hills, and beautiful scenery."  The trail leads along the rugged Na Pali coastline on the North Shore of Kauai and ends at Kalalau Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches on the Island, and Kalalau Valley.  There are only two ways to get to the Kalalau Beach, by boat (which in the winter season can be quite difficult), or taking the 11 mile trek.
There are many hazards.  The trail is narrow and leads along steep coastline.  Some areas can become extremely muddy and there are several rocks of all sizes in the path.  There are several stream crossings along the way.  The water may become very high making the way impassable.  In order to complete the entire 11 miles, an overnight stay and hiking permit is required.

                       

       We chose a particularly interesting time to start our journey.  We took off the morning of Friday the 13th.  Friday the 13th also happed to land on a full moon.

    

This seemed to give us amazingly good luck.  We made it into the valley by sunset with no major pitfalls.  And were pleasantly surprised to find the valley was now inhabited.  
One of the remaining descendants of the ancient Menehune, a race of people first to inhabit the Kalalau Valley, decided to make his home in the Valley to preserve and restore what his ancestors had left behind.

As soon as we reached the valley, this man welcomed us into his camp with warm food and strong drink.  We celebrated into the night breaking out the acoustic guitars with song and dance.  Next day we got to surf with the dude.

         
            
 

          The valley itself is absolutely stunning.  First of all there is this unique isolation creating a peacefulness that can only be experienced.  The valley is abundant with fruit trees, birds of all kinds, and wild billy goats. There are caves near the beach and a waterfall feeding into the ocean.  There are inland trails, one leading to a large natural pool in a stream.  And if you look closely you may just find a sacred spot, where the ancient peoples of the land held their ceremonies.
   
  
      Its a rough trip and its worth every step.  We highly recommend a good, supportive backpack,  good fitting, broken in hiking  boots, as well as, a pair of sandals, a good carbon filtered water bottle, and a copy of the latest edition of the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook by Andrew Doughty and Harriett Firedman.  Make sure to get the latest edition, I believe they are up to the 5th.  An older version could be misleading.