Travel Tips

Don't turn around on Highway 550 and head south after you experience Waimea Canyon, as this road quickly enters Koke'e State Park when you continue north. Near the end of the road, you'll be rewarded by one of the most spectacular views on the island--the Kalalau Lookout. This panoramic viewpoint overlooks the Kalalau Valley, which features dramatically sculptured sea cliffs, beautiful vegetation, and the ocean 4000 feet below. Not only did I get there in the morning (the time of day that locals recommended), I felt very fortunate that the view wasn't obstructed by clouds, as it often is. A little fog was just drifting away from one of the peaks, so I quickly grabbed my Canon EOS Elan 7ne, adjusted my zoom lens on its 28mm setting, and shot several wide views. I switched to my 300mm lens and singled out a cliff that met the ocean, with a tour boat going by.

We decided to hike on the Awaawapuhi Trail, which was a three-mile (one way) trek through a forested area in Koke'e State Park. We walked past thick groves of trees and dense ferns for the entire hike. (I've read that many of the wild berries that grow alongside this trail are edible, but we didn't sample any.) At the end of the trail 2500 feet above the ocean, we looked out onto a portion of the jagged Na Pali cliffs. A few helicopters giving scenic tours buzzed overhead, and the only other signs of life were a rooster, a hen and several chicks. These very colorful roosters, once shipped to Kauai for cock fights, now populate the island in great numbers and seem to turn up everywhere.

A light rain cooled us off as we hiked back--a relief as the trail was primarily uphill in this direction.

Kilauea Lighthouse, which is located at the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands.

Heading north on Highway 56, there are a string of beautiful beaches along the way. Kilauea Lighthouse is a popular attraction at the northern tip of Kauai, located on a narrow peninsula. This lighthouse was built in 1913, and once guided ships heading to and from the Orient until the 1970s, when it was replaced by a low-maintenance light beacon. Nonetheless, Kilauea Lighthouse remains as a dramatic, lone sentinel that's often photographed. Nearby is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to a number of nesting seabirds. From a viewpoint above, you can photograph the lighthouse and peninsula, and birdwatch if you so desire.

After Highway 56 meets 560, you'll come to Hanalei, a colorful, laid-back town with shops and restaurants, which is also a busy trade center for surrounding macadamia nut plantations. Here, I photographed a wide-angle view with a 20mm lens of Hanalei's historic Wai'oli Hui'ia Church to include some nearby palm trees swaying in the breeze.

By continuing northwest, you'll reach Lumaha'i Beach, where the movie South Pacific was filmed. Located literally at the end of the road is Ke'e Beach, possibly the most visited beach in Kauai. The spectacular Kalalau Trail (which we attempted the following day) begins at the western end of this beach. When photographing some of these coastlines in the morning and in the evening, I found that a 2X split neutral-density filter helped to even out the exposure of a bright sky against a shady foreground.

A view of Hanakapi'ai Beach, two miles down the Kalalau Trail.

A Taste of the Kalalau Trail
This trail is an 11-mile trek that ends in paradise at the Kalalau Valley, according to the accounts I've read. However, I didn't make it this far. Instead, my husband and I hiked a four-mile loop to Hanakapi'ai Beach, which represents the most heavily visited portion of this popular trail.

After an initially steep climb over muddy terrain, rocks and tree roots, the trail borders the cliffs that overlook the spectacular Na Pali coast. Every turn afforded a great view of the coast and numerous photo opportunities. The azure blue sea was on our right side, as we trekked through tropical vegetation. After a thousand-foot elevation gain, there were steep drop-offs (but the thick vegetation gave me a false sense of security). The first two miles of this trail are truly like Grand Central Station, because of the crowds of people that trek this portion of it. However, the remainder of the trail requires a permit and is not for novice hikers. Just shy of two miles, the trail descends down to Hanakapi'ai Beach. A rope-assisted crossing will help you across Hanakapi'ai stream to the beach beyond. An unmarked trek crosses the stream several times and leads to the beautiful Hanakapi'ai Falls.

To take even the brief portion of the trail that we embarked on, you must wear sturdy hiking shoes, and expect that they'll be covered with red mud. A hiking stick is helpful, as the terrain is very uneven. And last but not least, you must protect your camera gear from the elements. When I wasn't using my camera, I wrapped it in a plastic bag that I got from our hotel room, and was glad I did, as it rained intermittently during our hike that morning. However, the rain yielded some beautiful rainbows along the way, in addition to the vistas along the coast. A polarizing filter saturated these colors.

A Buddha wearing a flower lei near Kalapaki Beach.

The Kalalau trail offered the most dramatic scenery of our Kauai trip, and the first two miles were only the tip of the iceberg! If you visit Kauai, you've got to see the Na Pali Coast either on foot, or via a scenic tour on a helicopter or boat. There are no roads through this area. You'll come away with some striking images, no matter which way you choose to see this fabulous coastline.

Kauai is a mecca for photographers and those who love nature at its best. So buy a plane ticket, and pack up your camera gear and more memory cards or film than you think you'll need.

Five Travel Reminders
1. If you're traveling by air and shooting with film at your destination, ask airport security to hand-check your film. X-ray equipment is very powerful and can damage your film. You'll find that security personnel will frequently honor your request.
2. When hiking, take only as much equipment as you think you'll need. Don't overload yourself with gear.
3. As with most scenic spots, do your homework ahead of time. Find out where the best photo opportunities are and the time of day that's best to shoot them. In addition to planning, be open for discovery.
4. Bring several lenses, ranging from wide-angle to telephoto. A tripod is always a must for sharp images. To lighten your load, one long-range zoom lens may suffice.
5. It's imperative to protect your camera gear in wet climates like Hawaii. Bring a backpack with protected compartments or some sort of waterproof protection. If you want to go snorkeling, invest in a compact, waterproof camera.