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Trail closed: DLNR’s September 30 notice keeps Kauaʻi forestry lands and trails closed except for listed areas. In Līhuʻe-Kōloa Forest Reserve, the exception is Keāhua Arboretum to the parking lot. It does not reopen Kuilau Trail or establish stream access. Defer this hike until DLNR confirms reopening and follow posted boundaries. Read DLNR’s closure notice and check DLNR’s current Kuilau listing.
Kuilau Ridge Trail
Located within the East Region on Kauai
Guide Snapshot
A quick fit check before you commit to this trail.
Kuilau is a forest hike in the Līhuʻe-Kōloa Forest Reserve near Keāhua Arboretum. Defer this hike while the closure remains in place. The parking-lot exception does not reopen Kuilau or establish access to the stream. We do not recommend adding a swim at Keāhua to this visit.
For future planning after an official reopening, Hawaiʻi Birding Trails describes an approximately four-mile out-and-back route through wet forest, with tree ferns, eucalyptus and scenic views. Mud is common, so appropriate footwear matters. DLNR’s forest-management plan rates Kuilau as moderate; the distance and rating describe the route, not its current accessibility. See the official trail overview and DLNR’s route description.
Trail day tools
Before you drive to the trailhead, check the trail and weather layer.
Hawaii hikes can change quickly with closures, rain, mud, heat, and daylight.
Route information for a future visit: Kuilau begins near Keāhua Arboretum on Kuamoʻo Road (Highway 580). The official trail overview places its end at the wooden bridge where it meets Moalepe Trail. Continuing beyond that junction is a different route; it is not included in the roughly four-mile return hike.
The map and downloadable trail track are planning references, not evidence that a trail, bridge or parking area is usable after the storms. Follow DLNR’s current notices and posted boundaries. Do not set out until the trail’s reopening is confirmed.
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Dry conditions on Oʻahu today, with breezy wind in exposed areas. Drier weather continues through Wednesday as moisture clears out.
A medium-sized northwest swell will bring elevated surf to north and west-facing shores tonight through Sunday morning—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. Winds remain breezy through Sunday, easing slightly Monday and Tuesday before picking up again Wednesday. A Small Craft Advisory is active through Monday morning for most coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Scattered showers arrive Thursday into Friday.
South and west shore beaches work well through Sunday for calmer conditions. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're drawn to bigger waves.
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Skies are drying out across Maui today through Wednesday as moisture clears. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed and terrain-favored spots.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell moves in—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then strengthen again Wednesday. The next chance of scattered showers arrives Thursday through Friday.
If you're heading to the beach, south and west shores are your best bet through Sunday. North shore is worth watching tonight and Sunday morning if you're into bigger waves.
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Mostly clear and dry today on the Big Island, with noticeably breezy winds in exposed areas and terrain-favored spots. That breeze continues through Sunday.
North and west-facing shores will see elevated surf tonight into Sunday morning as a medium-sized northwest swell arrives—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. South shores stay small. A Small Craft Advisory covers most coastal waters through Monday morning due to wind and sea conditions. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive statewide Thursday to Friday.
Head to the south and west shores for beach and snorkeling through Sunday. If bigger waves interest you, the north shore has surf to watch tonight into Sunday morning.
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Drier air is moving in through Wednesday. Winds will be noticeably breezy, especially in exposed areas.
Tonight into Sunday morning, a medium-sized northwest swell will push elevated surf onto the north and west shores—conditions may briefly reach advisory levels. East-facing shores stay rough through the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for coastal waters due to wind and sea state. Winds ease slightly late Monday and Tuesday, then pick up again Wednesday. Scattered showers arrive Thursday or Friday.
Hit the south and west shores for swimming and snorkeling through Sunday. If you want to watch big waves, the north shore is worth a look tonight into Sunday morning.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
