Permit Comparison

Kalalau vs Hāʻena Permits: Which Reservation Do You Need?

Answer

Kalalau permits and Hāʻena reservations are not the same thing.

A Kalalau camping permit is required to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai along the Nāpali Coast, even if you only plan to go beyond Hanakāpīʻai for the day. The permit allows overnight camping at approved Nāpali Coast camping areas and includes entry to Hāʻena State Park, but it does not include parking.

If you have a valid Kalalau permit and plan to leave a car near the trailhead, you need to reserve Kalalau overnight parking separately after your permit is secured. Overnight parking is available only for valid Kalalau camping permit holders and must cover each calendar day your vehicle will be in the lot.

A Hāʻena reservation is for day-use access to Hāʻena State Park. Reservation options include Parking + Entry, Shuttle + Entry, and Entry Only for visitors arriving by drop-off, walking, or biking. A Hāʻena day-use reservation allows access to Keʻe Beach and the Hanakāpīʻai section of the trail, but it does not allow hiking beyond Hanakāpīʻai without a valid Kalalau camping permit.

Regular Hāʻena Parking + Entry is day-use only and is separate from Kalalau overnight parking.

Last updated: May 2026

Comparison

Kalalau permit vs Hāʻena reservation

Question

Kalalau

Hāʻena

What it covers

Permit required to hike beyond Hanakāpīʻai along the Nāpali Coast, even for a day hike. Also allows permitted overnight camping at approved Nāpali Coast camping areas.

Day-use access to Hāʻena State Park, including Parking + Entry, shuttle + entry, or entry-only options.

Official sources

Kalalau permits are reserved through the State of Hawaiʻi permit system. Trail rules and access details are listed by DLNR. Kalalau overnight parking is reserved separately through Go Hāʻena.

Hāʻena day-use parking, shuttle, and entry reservations are managed through Go Hāʻena.

When it matters

When hiking beyond Hanakāpīʻai, whether continuing for the day or camping overnight.

When visiting Hāʻena State Park for day-use access, Keʻe Beach, or hiking only as far as Hanakāpīʻai.

Kalalau camping permits include entry to Hāʻena State Park, but they do not include parking. Kalalau overnight parking is reserved separately and is different from regular Hāʻena day-use Parking + Entry.

Alerts

Choose the alert type that matches your problem

Kalalau sold out

Monitor reopened Kalalau camping permit dates. Start Kalalau alerts.

Hāʻena sold out

Monitor Hāʻena parking, shuttle, and entry availability. Start Hāʻena alerts.

Still unsure which alert you need?

If your problem is overnight camping, start with Kalalau. If your problem is park access, parking, or shuttle, start with Hāʻena.

Kalalau alerts Hāʻena alerts