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Kukui Trail
Located within the West Region on Kauai
Garden Isle Hiking Trail
West Kauai
Kukui Trail offers some gorgeous views of Waimea Canyon. The first part of the trail descends sharply, switchbacking through the forest, at first, and then out in the open along the side of the mountain. Expect the path to be eight inches wide on slippery dirt with nothing to one side of you in places. It's not that dangerous, but just be careful. As with many Kauai hikes, you may benefit from a guide who can educate you and your travel party about the history of the area, the plants, and animals of the trail.
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.
You'll soon reach a vast stretch of slanted red rock that goes down the mountain and after traversing this segment of the path you'll descend deep into the forest where wild chickens rustle in the brush and kukui nut trees grow in abundance. As you dive deeper, you'll find yourself amidst waist-high grasses and passing large spear-like plants. Not far now, as you make the final trek towards your reward... the cool and soothing waters of the Waimea River! Look above you, and you will hardly believe how far you've climbed. Take a long rest here and enjoy a swim in the pool near Wiliwili Camp. You'll need it before turning around to ascend the two miles back up to the rim. Remember to take it slow and easy and to drink lots of water. Bringing some form of water purification device to allow you to refill water from the river and treat it is highly recommended. The Waimea River is naturally brown from the tannins which are absorbed by the feeder streams as they pass through the Alakai Swamp above Waimea Canyon. The name, Waimea means "red water." The scenery is gorgeous so enjoy it during your rest breaks and take plenty of pictures. If you want adventure and a great workout, this is one hike you won't want to miss!
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Trade winds are strong right now, with high surf hitting the south shore today. Windward areas are seeing frequent showers through the weekend.
South-facing beaches have dangerous surf today through Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will build rough water by Sunday or Monday. The bigger picture is a tropical system, Fausto, heading our way. It's weakening but should arrive near the islands by Tuesday or Wednesday as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing strong winds, rough seas, and heavy rain. The exact track is still uncertain, so check the forecast daily.
Get your beach time and water activities in today through early next week on the leeward side, where conditions stay calmer. Be ready to shift plans by midweek when conditions turn rough.
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Windy conditions across Maui right now, with trade winds gusting strong. South-facing shores have high surf today and will see another big swell Saturday and Sunday—the water's dangerous unless you're an experienced ocean swimmer.
Through the weekend, windward areas will get frequent showers while trade winds stay gusty. The bigger picture arrives midweek: Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward the islands and should reach Maui as a tropical storm or weaker system Tuesday or Wednesday. That'll bring rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Hit the leeward beaches and snorkel south Maui coasts today through early next week, but stay out of windward and south-facing waters through Sunday.
0:000:54
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Windy conditions dominate right now with strong trade winds pushing across the island. South-facing shores have high surf today—dangerous water if you're not an experienced swimmer.
Through the weekend, those south shores see another big swell Saturday and Sunday, and east-facing shores will build dangerous conditions by Sunday or Monday. Windward areas get frequent showers. A tropical system—the remnants of Hurricane Fausto—is weakening and headed toward the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system by Tuesday or Wednesday, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain midweek. Timing and track are still uncertain, so check updates daily.
Leeward beaches on the Kona side stay your best bet today through early next week, but avoid the water on the windward and south shores through Sunday.
0:000:57
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Strong trade winds are pushing showers across windward areas through the weekend. On Kauaʻi, expect frequent showers on the windward side.
High surf is running on south-facing shores today and will build again Saturday and Sunday—stay out of the water unless you're an experienced swimmer. East-facing shores will also see dangerous swell by Sunday or Monday. Hurricane Fausto is weakening as it moves toward Hawaii. By Tuesday or Wednesday it should reach the islands as a tropical storm or weaker system, bringing rough seas, strong winds, and heavy rain. Track and timing are still uncertain, so check updates daily through midweek.
Beach time on leeward shores works through early next week. Plan water activities for today, but be ready to shift if Fausto's track becomes clearer—conditions will deteriorate by midweek.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
