Why is Pu’u O Kila still closed? (See update)

July 31st, 2007

Filed Under Hawaii Icons | 4 Comments

puuokila.gif If you live in or have ever wanted to visit Hawaii, or specifically Kauai, then there’s no doubt you’ve seen this picture. This is the Kalalau Valley on Kauai’s west side.  Past Waimea Canyon and Koke’e State Park lies the Kalalau Valley overlook, which most people mistakenly call this picture.  This picture was taken from the Pu’u O Kila lookout which is about 1 1/4 mile from the Kalalau Lookout.  The Pu’u O Kila lookout has been closed since 2003 citing bad roads as the reason.  Have you driven on Hawaii’s roads?  Half of the roads are a complete mess and the more you get thrown around, the better the reward in most cases!  (ie- the drive to Polihua Beach on Lanai, the drive to Polihale Beach on Kauai, the road around the top of Maui (340 I believe…Hana Highway’s got nothing on 340!), parts of the Big Island’s Saddle Road which has an outdated ominous reputation)

In early 2006 all of the local papers were gleefully reporting the money being allocated for improvements to the Koke’e area which included handrails for the physically handicapped being installed along the path from the parking area at Pu’u O Kila Lookout.  That work was supposed to be completed by the end of 2006.  I don’t know if it was or not but I’d love to know how you suggest the physically disabled get to use those brand spankin’ new handrails when their transportation can’t get to the lookout.  The last time we were up there was in May and some of the roads have been sporadically closed but Pu’u O Kila Lookout was still closed.  Sure, you can park at the road closed sign and walk for a mile if you want to but why when there’s no real reason the road should still be in disrepair after 4 years of being closed??

The Kauai Visitors Bureau still uses this image to entice visitors to come see this beautiful sight and while they can look into the valley from the Kalalau Lookout, it’s not the same view.  Almost seems like false advertising to me.  Don’t get me wrong, I would want to show off my most valuable assets when promoting something but I couldn’t find a disclaimer anywhere saying Pu’u O Kila was closed.  Something needs to be done.  Action needs to be taken to allow everyone to have access to this famous view that so many have been denied over the past few years.  

Update:  After a comment below by reader Tom, I contacted the Kauai Visitors Bureau who referred me to the state.  I just got off the phone with them and Pu’u O Kila is in fact opened permanently!  This is great news and I am very happy that locals and visitors will be able to enjoy this beautiful area without having to hike from the Kalalau lookout anymore.  4+ years of that was enough!


Comments

4 Comments so far

  1. Kudos and frustration : True Aloha on December 12, 2007 8:03 am

    [...] main source of revenue for the islands, you would think that places like the Kalalau Trail and the Pu’u O Kila lookout at the Kalalau Valley, both of which are heavily advertised to potential visitors would be a main priority for funding.  [...]

  2. Polihale Beach on Kauai closed indefinitely : True Aloha on March 9, 2009 8:06 am

    [...] According to the Garden Island News heavy flooding has damaged a bridge and road that leads back to the remote Polihale State Park Beach.  This road is rarely in good condition anyway but the damage is pretty significant.  The DLNR says the park is cloased “indefinitely until significant repairs are made to areas of the park that were damaged by recent heavy rains.”  This was close to the same statement made when the road going to the beautiful Pu’u O Kila lookout over Kalalau Valley was closed…back in 2003.  So if their snappy timeline on that project is any indicator, visitors should probably cross Polihale off of their to do list on their Kauai vacation.  If I seem a little cranky about the Pu’u O Kila lookout, you can see why in this post. [...]

  3. Tom Lindberg on March 11, 2009 3:17 pm

    We drove up to Pu’uokila Lookout in Feb. 2009. The road from Kalalau Lookout to Pu’uokila is now new highway and very nice. There is some very rough highway between the canyon and Kalalau Lookout, but certainly worth the final view.

  4. Anele on March 12, 2009 2:15 pm

    Mahalo for the update Tom! I’ve got an email in with the visitors bureau to check up on this and make sure the opening is permanent! I love that area and nothing would please me more than to not have to hike to it from the Kalalau Valley lookout!

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