Kalalau Trail Reservations

Question

Lol this island is mad confusing me, so I’ve made reservations for all my activities on all 3 of the other main islands no problem but for whatever reason this island is being a pain.

All I wanna do is hike the first two miles of the Kalalau Trail from Ke’e beach to Hanakapi'ai Beach and then go back on March 22nd at like 6:30AM. I checked yesterday is it seriously already sold out??? It looks like every single day parking and entry or even just entry and Princeville shuttle (where i’m staying) is red and Xed out. What makes no sense tho is everyday is green even for tomorrow for the Waipa shuttle…? If it’s really sold out do they sell more reservations the day before like other islands?

All I wanna do is do a quick quiet hike and see the views i’m not sure why they make this so complicated every other island and activity was easy to book had plenty of reservations.

Answer

Hey — totally get your frustration. The Kalalau Trail day-use system is notoriously difficult to navigate. Here’s a breakdown of what’s likely going on, why things are “red,” and some possible strategies plus alternatives.

Why So Many “Red / Xed Out” Days?

To hike the first two miles (Keʻe → Hanakāpīʻai), you do need a reservation — not a full camping permit, but you *do* need the Haʻena State Park entry or shuttle / parking reservation.
Haʻena State Park has strict daily visitor limits, and non-residents must reserve entry or parking in advance.
The reservations open 30 days before the date at 12:00 a.m. HST. Because demand is extremely high, spots often sell out within minutes or even seconds.
As one recent TripAdvisor user noted: “the parking permits at Keʻe sell out within ~2 minutes on the day they become available.”

Is There a Chance More Reservations Become Available “Last Minute”?

Yes — according to the Go Hāʻena FAQ, you should check for new availability around 7–8 a.m. HST because people may cancel.
This doesn’t guarantee anything — but that’s often where folks pick up canceled slots or standby spots. Several hikers report “checking back each day for cancellations.”
You’ll need both the park entry / parking (or shuttle) reservation and either:
- a day-use reservation (if only hiking to Hanakāpīʻai), or
- a camping permit (if going past Hanakāpīʻai).

About Camping Permits (Even Though You Don’t Need One for Just 2 Miles):

Camping permits (for hiking past Hanakāpīʻai) are issued via the State Parks system.
They open 90 days in advance at 12:01 a.m. HST and are *very competitive*.
There is a small “walk-in” quota for some overnight permits, but that’s for Kalalau camping and doesn’t apply to day-use entry.

What You Can Do Right Now (or Going Forward):

Set an alarm for 12:00 a.m. HST (when reservations open): Be ready to try for a day-use or shuttle reservation right when the window opens. Many people recommend refreshing rapidly or being very quick.
Check for cancellations next morning (7–8 a.m.): As mentioned, canceled spots sometimes open up — especially for shuttle or parking / entry.
Use the Waipā shuttle instead of Princeville (if available): Some folks say Waipā shuttle spots are more plentiful or easier to get than Princeville, depending on date.
Be flexible with your date/time: If your March 22 hike is sold out, see if shifting a day helps — sometimes the demand varies slightly day-to-day.

If You Can’t Secure a Permit:

Consider hiking a different but still gorgeous Kauai trail or viewpoint.
You can still enjoy Keʻe Beach area (if you have a park entry reservation) even without doing the trail.
Watch for last-minute entries or shuttle standby: some people try their luck in the morning or use standby lists on site.

Bottom Line: Yes — it’s very likely the dates you’re seeing are “red” because day-use / shuttle / parking reservations are *extremely limited* and go live 30 days before. But all is not lost — cancellations happen, and being ready at midnight and again early morning gives you your best shot. If you’re flexible or persistent, you might still snag one.

Good luck — I hope you get it figured out! Kalalau (even just to Hanakāpīʻai) is incredibly worth it.