Kauai is back from the brink

Renowned trail reopens today, with new restrictions


In April 2018, Hawaii's "Garden Isle" of Kauai suffered a serious setback when torrential rains and flooding battered the northern side of the island. Images of flood damage have scared tourists away from the affected North Shore as well as unaffected areas to the south.

All that changes this week.

The storms damaged roads and cut access to some of the most popular and scenic parts of the island, including the famous Kalalau Trail. The trail hugs the northern Napali coast and offers some of the best hiking views in the world. For years, the trail, and the surrounding Haena State Park, have attracted thousands of visitors from around the world. (See the slideshow at the top of this post for a look.)

Until Monday's reopening, tourists could not venture much beyond the town of Hanalei on the Kuhio Highway due to road and bridge damage.

Read more: https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/Kauai-is-back-14007597.php