Kuhio Highway (Route 560), Kauai
The stretch of Kuhio Highway from Hanalei to its dead end at Ke'e Beach along Kauai's north shore is a scenic drive. It is the main and only road leading to the sleepy little community of Ha'ena. In the past, one could just drive on Kuhio Highway all the way to its end at Ke'e Beach, however, due to traffic congestion, access to this part of the island is now controlled and only a limited number of permits are issued in the name of conservation. While it is still possibe to drive to Ha'ena as a visitor in a rental car, a permit is required. Alternatively, there is shuttle bus service availble (see info below).
In a way this stretch of Kuhio Highway is similar to Maui's Hana Highway in that it also has many one-lane bridges. The first one-lane bridge is the Hanalei Bridge right before arriving in Hanalei. During heavy rains the area around the bridge (which leads across the Hanalei Stream) often floods and the bridge is closed. Since it has a 15-ton weight limit you won't see any large tour buses past this point.
After Hanalei there are many scenic lookout points and beaches along the way, but finding a place to park can often be challenging. The “highway” is more like a country road and parts of it are narrow and curvy. The first nice lookout point past Hanalei is at Lumaha'i Beach, but there's only a small turnout. The next beach coming up is Wainiha Beach Park. There is a double bridge here that leads across the Wainiha River. Of all the one-lane bridges along this highway, this is the trickiest because you really have to look into the distance and around a curve to see if there is oncoming traffic before you drive across (if you're the first car to drive across). There are no traffic lights at any of the one-lane bridges on Kauai's north shore, but instead there's a one-lane bridge etiquette. The rule is that 7-8 cars from one direction can drive across a one-lane bridge and then it's the other side's turn.
One of the most popular beaches along the way is Tunnels Beach, which has a very small public parking area. Right before reaching Ha'ena Beach Park, there is a dip in the road and you'll have to drive through Manoa Stream (a small stream during dry weather). Drive carefully here and watch for potholes. On your right is the beach park (which has a relatively large parking area) and on your left is Maniniholo Dry Cave. From here it's just another mile until the highway dead ends at Ke'e Beach, another very beautiful Kauai north shore beach. If you want to venture further, you can only do it on foot on the popular Kalalau Trail, which leads for another 11 miles (18 km) along the Na Pali Coast.
Visiting Ha'ena State Park
Ha'ena State Park, located at the dead end of Kuhio Highway, is open daily including holidays from 7 am to 6:45 pm (winter) and from 7 am to 7:45 pm (summer). Summer hours begin on April 1st. Winter hours begin the day after Labor Day.
Hawaii state residents with a current Hawaii driver license, state ID, or UH Student ID may enter the park and park their vehicle for free, first come first serve. No time limit up until dusk daily. No other IDs or documentation are accepted for free Hawaii resident entry. Anyone without accepted ID must purchase a reservation, even when traveling with a resident. Minors (under 18) are not required to have an ID.
Three options to visit Ha'ena Beach Park for non-Hawaii residents:
1. Shuttle reservations are sold roundtrip and include park entry. $40 per person (age 16+), $25 per child (age 4-15), free per child on lap (age 0-3).
2. Parking + Entry Reservations. $10 per car per timeslot plus $5 entry per person. Purchase multiple timeslots to stay longer. Morning: 6:30 am – 12:30 pm, Afternoon: 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Evening: 4:30 pm – Sunset
3. Entry Only for resident guests and those who do not need to park a vehicle: $5/person
Day-use entry reservations can be booked online up to 30 days in advance. For more info on Day Use Access via parking or shuttle to Ha'ena State Park (including DAY hiking at the Kalalau Trail), visit gohaena.com/info-faqs
A shuttle bus map can be found on https://gohaena.com/shuttle-schedule-stops/
