Na Pali Coast Overview

The Na Pali Coast refers to a rugged 15mi. of jagged cliff and pristine coastline that stretch from Kee Beach in the north to Polihale State Park in the south. There is no way to drive through this unmarred part of Kauai; visitors can journey either by foot or by boat. Those who do visit the concealed coast will encounter steep lava rock walls, fertile green valleys, secluded sandy beaches, and cascading waterfalls.

The steep pali (cliffs) tower 4000 ft. above the ocean. At one time, however, the terrain sloped gradually from the ancient volcanic dome to the sea. Powerful winter surf and constant runoff from Mt. Waialeale combined to sculpt the coast, eroding its foundations and causing massive landslides. Slowly, the coast’s prominent cliffs, narrow canyons, and furrowed valleys took shape.

The five large valleys strung between Kalalau and Milolii have rich agricultural lands that once sustained hundreds of inhabitants. Reliable water sources from the highlands of Kokee provided easy irrigation for taro root farms where the valley residents cultivated their staple food. Native fishermen reaped abundant catches in the waters offshore, and the moist soil proved perfect for cultivating Polynesian crops such as bananas, sweet potatoes, coconuts, and ulu (breadfruit). Today, these trees continue to flourish alongside the more recently introduced mangos, passion fruit, guava, and plums. The simple life of farming and fishing was the standard in the Na Pali valleys for hundreds of years, until the beginning of the 20th century, when many residents began to abandon their remote settlements for the booming plantation towns of Waimea and Hanalei. By the 1920s, the coast’s few remaining inhabitants were only grazing herds of cattle. Hippies, drawn by the coast’s primal ruggedness, took over in the late 1960s. In response, the state worked to control the burgeoning tent cities and protect the wild coast from a sanitation disaster. Beginning with the Kalalau Valley, the establishment of the Na Pali Coast State Park has strictly regulated human access. Even though there are those who flout the rules and live out there on a more extended basis, over the years the restrictions have allowed the coastline to regain most of its original splendor.