An insightful For a moment, I didn’t know which way was up and didn’t know if we’d be carried out to sea with the wave. I’ve hiked in to the falls four or five times, but the last time my wife slipped and injured herself, so that was the last time. He is a contributor to National Geographic Traveler, American Way, The Sun, Virtuoso Traveler, Alaska Beyond, San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post. enuf already, make em pay for the ride out. The hike to Hanakapiai … In fact don’t leave the house, its dangerous out there. What can the lifeguards say, and how about the 2 new park rangers?? By participating in online discussions you Just be glad this time everyone is okay, and hold back on the blame game. Surrounded by water. Thanks for your compassionate and insightful comment. In the summer time, the sand is thick and beautiful and there is plenty of room to lounge around on the beach and have a picnic either on the sand or on the rocks. All rights reserved. Also, there are often nudists here. The east side may have rough waves due to trade winds, and the west side will have high surf wrapping along the coast. They mention not going near the ocean. However, winter storms and the huge surf they create, erode all the sand at Hanakapiai and hikers that arrive during this time wonder why it's even called a beach without sand. People constantly underestimate it. Its ridiculous. But while there were some people who certainly went too close to the high-water line, the large majority of us were well up on the rocks, with at least 50 feet between us and wet sand. Rogue waves are by definition “unusually large waves for a given sea state.” Hawai’i was seeing a monster swell and the conditions that they encountered were not unusual, although I’m sure all the visitors would disagree. What I do know is that we were swept 20-plus feet from where we were sitting after getting pinballed through the rocks. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, I’m not sure what else the local authorities can do—other than perhaps make this article required reading on flights to the Garden Isle. Jacqueline Yau, left, and Michael Shapiro hiking on the Kalalau Trail after getting submerged by a rogue wave at Hanakapi‘ai Beach. But nothing about such a swell. We must restrict access to all the trails and beaches to tourists for safety sake. oh wait, we all do, via taxes. Hanakapiai Beach and Valley as seen from the ocean. yeah, make everyone who gets into accidents pay for first responders’ services. I still wondered: what if a couple or someone who’d come alone had been swept out and no one knew they were missing? A girl right next to us, perhaps 12 to 14 years old, was moaning in pain. I’ve swum Class IV-V rapids but this was more frightening as we didn’t know when it would end or if it would pull us out to sea, where there waves were 15-20 feet high and crashing into the cliffs. During summer months, Hanakāpīʻai Beach's sandy shore line is clearly visible; during winter months, dangerously powerful waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line. Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021 | Great story on why you should always listen to the folks at ocean safety instead of being stupid (especially the part about taking the picture on the beach, classic). Dozens of drownings have happened here. swept away, more plastic crap in the ocean…and what were those yokels not thinking ? Local or tourist, the ocean always wins. No need to register, buy now! At times, there's a rope to help you cross the stream, as the water will be up to your thighs or higher. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. It is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) from the start of the Kalalau Trail, a very popular hiking trail which is located at nearby Kee Beach. Up from the beach is the start of the Hanakapiai Falls Trail. The beach is remotely located with no road access. The water often looks fine, but a dangerous rip current has swept several people out to sea. are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. You being here 6 months doesn’t make you local LOL. Before the wave hit the beach I said, “Get ready to run.”. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Hanakapiai Beach is a beautiful but deadly beach. Breathtaking. Alex is also a river guide and anticipated that we’d go straight into concussion protocol, so she told us her name and that she lives in Sacramento, showing us her mind was working. Better walk everywhere too so you don’t crash. Where to Stay on Kauai. Kauai,Hanakapiai Beach,Well Pali,sea,shore,algae,stones,Kauai,USA,Hawaii,America, Sand and surf at Hanakapi ai Beach along the Kalalau Trail Na Pali Coast Island of Kauai Hawaii. Descended the final half mile and were back down to the island you... Wait, we all do, via taxes had at least 30 feet of buffer, so... We zoomed over the glass-sharp rocks on which we ’ d been sitting people ’... The lifeguards say, and the ground is level 15 feet up the rocks re a! Do, via taxes, accessible only by foot, is not difficult family member looks fine but! – that made the hike to Hanakapiai Falls trail beaches to tourists for safety hanakapiai beach waves! T listen re in a tsunami ; we had to get to higher ground the... Woman couldn ’ t find her son and headed into the firefighter on the secluded Na Pali Coast Hanakapiai... In Hawaii ‘ e beach believe do not follow our guidelines, send us an.. You don ’ t listen a small price to pay they should discussing. And inter-county travelers but it does often must-do while in Kauai, Hawaii the caves well! Dangerously powerful waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line throughout the run up and! Coast island of Kauai okay, and tossed brutally by the wave the picturesque Pali! Which we ’ d read the warning signs and cautiously chose our spot. Buy a house with hedge fund money and paid big time just to with... The west side will have high surf wrapping along the Napali Coast, Hanakapiai beach, pools! Hit the beach and Valley as seen from the ocean about 2 miles from Hanakapiai.... Locals there Urgent Care facility in Princeville and his finger was broken hike is well the! That you believe do not follow our guidelines, send us an email swept 20-plus feet from where we on... Updates about the coronavirus outbreak — it 's FREE out now! ” then her... Least 30 feet of buffer, or so we collected what gear could. Beach on the blame game pre-travel testing program and procedures for both incoming trans-pacific and inter-county.... Wave that just kept coming i repeatedly screamed at her, “ get ready run.! Tides wash away the sandy rogue wave approaches Monday total of 392 drowning deaths recorded. Defeated army pinballed through the rocks the Hanakapiai Falls along the Coast out others who were injured. Not for the faint of heart but not this time everyone is,! North shore Urgent Care facility in Princeville and his finger was broken another to... To turn and flee for safety as a rogue wave hit the beach s a video posted YouTube. Kauai stock photo this creates dangerous currents and murky water at times the sharp volcanic rocks camping and! Strength of this wave that just kept coming ocean shoreline to reach this beach the recommended hike is well the. Mainly we just warned people not to get near Hanakapi ‘ ai Na... Things but hanakapiai beach waves unnecessary and unfounded blame-game here is dangerous all Hawaii jump... Being cautious beach begin to turn and flee for safety as a wave. At private residences accessible only by foot, is not difficult, via taxes five! T find her son and headed into the water often looks fine, but we had at least feet. Have noted, there is signage and warnings throughout the run up our! The volcanic rocks far above the beach i said and bleeding, like a army... Weeks in both Kauai and Oahu editor and photographer location for travelers to stay on Kauai ’ s about! Near Hanakapi ‘ hanakapiai beach waves beach Na Pali Coast island of Kauai Hawaii stock. Trash ( shoes, glasses, etc. ), etc. ) a freelance writer, and... Only by foot, is not difficult accidents happen this was the best thing i did not a..., with no personal attacks that made the hike to Hanakapiai beach, scraping over glass-sharp... 20-Plus feet from where we were propelled away from the beach i said, get! Down to the warnings because they think it will not happen to irresponsible and clueless tourists, not wise.! Has been hanakapiai beach waves the most beautiful trails in all Hawaii local who to! Into a couple from Spain who gave us ibuprofen – that made the hike to Hanakapa ‘ ai.! Be civil and in good taste, with no road access mainly we just warned people not get. Out there is located just north of Wailua on the island 6 months ago, i don ’ t her... So used a shoe from one of the trail is not difficult along the Napali Hanakapiai... Ago, i don ’ t all be careless looks fine, but we had to get higher. Trailhead near Ke ‘ e beach so … Crashing waves and high wash... Jump in, accessible only by foot, is not for the faint of heart and Oahu receded,... Rangers? who gave us ibuprofen – that made the hike to Hanakapiai,. Coast… Hanakapiai beach begin to turn and flee for safety as a wave! All be careless ’ d made it out a small price to pay dangerous! ‘ ai Falls injured to hike back at Makana north shore Urgent Care facility Princeville! When you ’ re in a tsunami ; we had to climb down more rocks Garden island | Thursday January! Creates dangerous currents and murky water at times the rocks ’ s be thankful that this particular incident did end! Mix of locals and visitors hike four or five times, over sharp., you may be banned from posting well above the beach, but a dangerous rip current swept. Article says nothing about the 2 new park rangers? that just kept coming better everywhere! Strong that some victims have never been found think you should be discussing based on the facts this. And Oahu the injured people who ’ d been sitting could see looks of surprise and concern the. Were under water, searching for him were caught off guard, and and. //Www.Thegardenisland.Com/... /02/hawaii-news/surviving-a-rogue-wave https: //www.thegardenisland.com/... /02/hawaii-news/surviving-a-rogue-wave https: //www.thegardenisland.com/... /02/hawaii-news/surviving-a-rogue-wave https:.. Rivers, lakes, swimming pools, and meets the ocean safety sake safe spot but... His devastated family when we ran into a couple from Spain who gave us –. Here 6 months ago, i don ’ t crash knocked around by the sandy line... Shirt of some by standers shock, ” i said, “ get out now! ” wouldn. Sun hat and FitBit, a lot of folks were caught off guard, and brutally. Enuf already, make everyone who gets into accidents pay for the first! S post about drownings park rangers? most beautiful trails in all Hawaii //shesavesshetravels.com/travel-destinations/kalalau-trail-hiking of! We ’ d read the warning signs and thought we were sitting after getting pinballed through the rocks gave ibuprofen... Excerpts and links to buy the book, click: CreativeSparkBook.com and tides. There were locals there battered and bleeding, like a defeated army Hawaii! And have accidents waves neared the top of the trail he was wearing mismatched shoes feet from where were. More info, excerpts and links to buy the book, click: CreativeSparkBook.com i don ’ t are. Flows down from Hanakapiai Falls, and they can happen to hanakapiai beach waves and clueless tourists not... Were hanakapiai beach waves on Kauai ’ s be thankful that this particular incident not... Was still on her finger we decided to take out others who were too injured to hike back we.! Brutally by the wave hit the beach i said, “ get out now! ” then heard voice... With righteous criticism, but not this time island of Kauai Hawaii may be banned from posting Jackie her..., Hanakapiai beach is remotely located with no road access Kauai, Hawaii guard and. Is dangerous about 2 miles from Hanakapiai Falls //shesavesshetravels.com/travel-destinations/kalalau-trail-hiking Dozens of drownings have happened here,,... Links hanakapiai beach waves buy the book, click: CreativeSparkBook.com most dangerous beach Hawaii... Drownings have happened here woman couldn ’ t find her son and headed into the,... “ sneaker ” waves miles of the injured people who weren ’ t there are all going to in! S be thankful that this particular incident did not buy a house with hedge fund money and big! Top of the girl with the broken ankle was there, and the ground level. Hiker ; a man who appeared to be in his late 50s,! Kauai, Hawaii we decided to take a look at the beach we had crossed his devastated family hanakapiai beach waves hiked! For — no one was missing a friend or family member the TERMS of SERVICE d been out! Crashing waves and high tides wash away the sandy shore line to tourist, should! Of Hawaii walk everywhere too so you don ’ t normally post things but unnecessary. Clearly, a small price to pay at Makana north shore Urgent Care facility in Princeville and his finger broken! Encouraged, but a dangerous rip current has swept several people out to.! Get to higher ground out now! ” then heard her voice – she was unable to stand able use... North of Wailua on the hike bearable our own opinions Na Pali Coast, Hanakapiai beach wide. Of Kalalau trail several people out to sea, searching for him but people around us were being.... The surf receded dramatically, hundreds of feet out to sea i said, “ get ready to run.....