Kauai - Hawaii with Kids - page 390

HIKING
Kauai is an adventurer's delight. The island's greatest tropical beauty isn't easily
reachable; you've got to head out on foot and find it. For more information on
Kauai's hiking trails, contact the State Division of Parks, P.O. Box 1671, Lihue,
HI 96766 ( & 808/274-3446); the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife,
P.O. Box 1671, Lihue, HI 96766 ( & 808/274-3077); Kauai County Parks and
Recreation, 4193 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766 ( & 808/241-6670); or the
Kokee Lodge Manager, P.O. Box 819, Waimea, HI 96796 ( & 808/335-6061).
Kayak Kauai Outbound , a mile past Hanalei Bridge on Highway 560 in
Hanalei ( & 800/437-3507 or 808/826-9844; www.kayakkauai.com), is the pre-
mier all-around outfitter on the island. It's staffed by local experts who keep track
of weather forecasts and sea and trail conditions; they have a lot of pertinent
information that hikers, campers, and other backcountry adventurers need to
know. Plus they have guided hiking tours starting at $105 per person. If you don't
plan to bring your own gear, you can rent it here or at Pedal 'n Paddle, in
Hanalei ( & 808/826-9069; www.pedalnpaddle.com). If you want to buy camp-
ing equipment, head for Ace Island Hardware, at Princeville Shopping Center
( & 808/826-6980 ).
GUIDED HIKES You can join a guided hike with the Kauai chapter of the
Sierra Club, P.O. Box 3412, Lihue, HI 96766 ( & 808/246-8748; www.hi.sierra
club.org), which offers four to seven different hikes every month, varying from
an easy family moonlit beach hike, to a moderate 4-mile trip up some 1,100
feet, to 8-mile-plus treks for serious hikers only. The club also does guided hikes
of Kokee State Park (see below), usually on weekends. Because there's no staffed
office, the best way to contact the chapter is to check the website; outings are
usually listed 3 to 6 months in advance, with complete descriptions of the hike,
the hike leader's phone number, and what to wear and bring. You can also check
the daily newspaper, the Garden Island, for a list of hikes in the Community Cal-
endar section. Generally, the club asks for a donation of $5 per person per hike
for nonmembers, $1 for children under 18 and Sierra Club members. The club
also does service work (clearing trails, picking up trash) on the hikes, so you may
spend an hour doing service work, then 2 to 3 hours hiking. Last year, the club
took three service-work trips along the Na Pali Coast trail to help maintain it.
Other options for guided hikes include Princeville Ranch Hiking Adven-
tures ( & 808/826-7669; www.kauai-hiking.com), which offers various hikes
on 2,000 acres of private property, such as a 4-hour hike to a waterfall (plus
another hour swimming) for $79; and Kauai Nature Adventures ( & 888/233-
8365 or 808/742-8305; www.kauainaturetours.com), which offers a geological-
history excursion; a tour of Kauai's environments from the mountain to the
ocean; and a Mahaulepu coast hike. All are led by scientists and cost $87 for
adults and $54 for children ages 7 to 12. A host of other tours range in price up
to $97 for adults and $64 for children.

A Warning About Flash Floods
When it rains on Kauai, the waterfalls rage and rivers and streams over-
flow, causing flash floods on roads and trails. If you're hiking, avoid dry
streambeds, which flood quickly and wash out to sea. Before going hik-
ing, camping, or sailing, especially in the rainy season (Nov-Mar), check
the weather forecast by calling & 808/245-6001.

Tips