Kauai - Napali coast

I will be traveling to Kauai some time in June and am planning to

spend at least a day hiking in the Napali coast. I'd love to know /

learn about other member's experience in taking pictures at the

Napali coast - both while hiking and from the air. Locations, film

speed, time of year, tips, pitfalls any advice is very very welcome...

<br> Thanks in advance for all your time

<br>-Naveen

I was there for my wedding in June. We took the first part of the trail on the Napali coast-you have to get some sort of pass to go much beyond the first waterfall valley. My wife isn't much of a hiker and we didn't get even that far. Anyway the park at the end of the road near Ha'ena is a great place for a sunset photo. Also if the clouds permit you can get some spectacular views and images from up in Ko'ke State Park (way on the other side of the island by car) which has fantastic trails (prepair for rain it argueable the wettest/ 2nd wettest place on earth). You'll likely want to couple this with a tour of Waimea Canyon which shouldn't be missed. The canyon doesn't shoot well at sunset so try another time of day.

Douglas,

<br>Thanks for the input! Am looking forward to my trip.

Naveen,

 

Yes, the pass is needed if you camp out. Can't remember about day hiking.... When you land, decide when you'd like to hike the coast and then, go and get the permit. Depending on the time of year, the set number of permits are all gone for several days in advance.

 

As for film, etc. The water is quite blue and the vegetation is very green. So, I personally think that Velvia is overkill. Depending on your hiking skills, you may want to use a monopod as a walking stick and support for your camera. Pack light. I found that much of the trail is open and the sun can beat down on you. Bring way more water than you think you can drink because it'll all be gone.

 

Also, you'll want very good footwear because the trail can be very muddy. It's not so much thick as it is really slippery. It's actually pretty comical to see all the people in white clothes who have crashed and burned on the trail, covered in red clay that's not going wash off...

 

After hiking the coast, we took a heilicopter tour of it. You'll want to catch the first or last flight of the day. The first flights is best because it's good light then. Less so with the last flight of the day: There's still a lot of daylight left. After shopping around at all the helo companies, the choice was clear: Will Squires (sp?). All the other flights are canned routines with piped in music into your headphones. Very slick operations and very touristy. The Squires operation is more low key, friendly, less hype. IT's expensive no doubt, but very much worth it! No regrets. You'll need a fast film for this as the helicopter is on the move and the light is low. Provia 100 pushed a stop or something higher.

 

Enjoy,

The helicopter flights may be great for those on board but pretty much suck for anyone on the ground. Picture a beautiful pool below a tall waterfall with greenery all around and a helicopter hovering 100 feet overhead.... pretty much ruins the feeling.

Yep Jim, I agree.

 

Sadly, in certain places, making $$$ for some people takes precedence over aesthetics (e.g. helicopters near waterfalls). Unfortunately, Hawaii is one of these places that is very touristy and the islands are just so small that there's no getting away from the tourism. It's just part of the culture and the helo flights happen all day long and just have to be accepted. Given this, I joined the crowd as there was no sense in me making a statement against them given the mindset of the locals and the tourists.

 

Elsewhere on the planet, I am proud of my committment to low impact activities

 

-bob

Ya, lets trample on, camp in and motorboat by the Napali Coast. But lets keep this all in perspective to those damn helicopters. What?

You might want to check out this thread if you haven't already:

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00AeZv

Hi Naveen,

You will want to hike to Kanapaiai Falls for a day hike. its two miles to the valley then two miles up the valley (very muddy) so for the day you will do 8 miles but it is absolutely spectacular. You can see a picture on my website www.ian-whitehead.com then go to portfolios and hawaii.

Have fun, Ian