Disclaimer: Before you proceed further, click on the following link and read the warning/disclaimer. If you use information from this site and all related pages on this site, you do so at your own risk! Hiking and traveling in the back country of Kauai and atop Mount Wai'ale'ale is dangerous.

Feb 2008. The reorganization, updating is pretty much completed. Now the website will expand on a regular basis, with several changes a week.

Flash! On December 24, 2007, Bob Burd dayhiked Kawaikini (Waialeale) in 17 hours. Excellent maps, much improved route. And if you scroll down and click on "More...trip report" you'll find an ascent of Haupu, a view from the cave at the end of the Blue Hole (aka "Waialeale Crater" to the geologically challenged.)

January 2008, Waialeale.Org trio summit Kawaikini, find improved route used by Burd and earlier party.

An account sent in by a contributer of the first Haole Ascent in September 1862.

Explorations in the Upper Waimea Canyon: Part I

Explorations in the Upper Waimea Canyon: Part II

Hihimanu, a fantastic but hazardous ridge dayhike.

Off Trail on Kauai: Treks Beyond the Guidebooks to Waialeale, Kawaikini, Kapoki Crater.

Is there a trail to the top of Mount Waialeale? What's it like to camp in the Alakai Swamp, look down into Olokele Canyon and the Blue Hole (or should we call it "Waialeale Crater"), ford Koaie and Waialae streams, drink from Halehaha Stream and get lost in the headwaters of Halepaakai stream. See Waialeale's namesake, a small lake near the summit. Just where is the raingage and how much does it really rain? If these questions intrigue you, click here.

Canyons and Gorges of Kauai

Olokele, Mokuone, Kahana, Loli, Blue Hole, Waialae, Koaie, Poomau, Iliiliula -- the almost unknown, incredible varied wilderness canyons and gorges of Kauai beckon. With hundreds of waterfalls, pools, sheer cliffs, treacherous floods, glimpse them here.

techstuff

techstuff.

What are the threats to the endangered endemic plants and birds of the Alakai Swamp and Mount Waialeale? Why have most of the unique endemic forest birds of Kauai gone extinct since the state decided that introduced hogs should be managed rather than irradicated? Does the state have the will and resources to preserve the Alakai Swamp or should it become a National Park. Are introduced hogs given more protection than endemic species? Should hogs be allowed run free, spreading avian malaria in areas closed to hunting? Should the hogs be fenced out of endangered, precious habitat? Who decides how best to protect, the fragile Alakai wilderness, subjective hunters or objective science.

Should some of most spectacular waterfalls, cliffs, canyons and gorges on the planet remain accessible only to heli-tourists who can afford to fork out 200 bucks an hour (Take only pictures - leave only noise). What kills the most people on Mount Waialeale, off trail hiking or helicopters?