Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve

Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve is located in the central to northwest areas of the island of Kaua‘i, in the Districts of Waimea and Hanalei. The Reserve was established by Governor’s Proclamation on June 12, 1907; with the primary objective of forest protection; the area was perceived to have few other uses and the accompanying protection of the water supply to adjacent agricultural lands was viewed as having “tremendous value.” Nā Pali and Kona are the names of the two ancient districts or moku‘āina in which the Forest Reserve land lies. Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve consists of approximately 23,019 acres.

Kaua‘i has higher rates of species endemism than other Hawaiian Islands and Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve contains an excellent representation of important ecosystems. Especially distinctive is Hawai‘i’s only Wilderness Preserve, the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve. This area contains the greatest proportion of intact ecosystems on Kaua‘i; it is an extreme environment that is arguably the wettest on Earth.

Game mammal and Game bird hunting opportunities are offered on the six major islands in the State of Hawai‘i: (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and the big island of Hawai‘i). Each of these islands has one or more State-designated public hunting areas (called Hunting Units), which are open for hunting at certain times during each year. Game mammal and game bird hunting opportunities are also available on private lands as well. Occasionally, the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) may modify or cancel a hunting season in a particular area to adjust for changes in weather conditions or animal populations.

Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hunting Website

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/recreation/hunting/

Game Mammal Hunting Rules and Exhibits

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/files/2013/09/HAR-123-Game-Mammals.pdf

Game Bird Hunting Rules and Exhibits

https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/files/2013/09/HAR-122-Game-Birds.pdf

Additional Information

Activities

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Mountain Biking

Tent Camping

Rules & Regulations

Camping Permits Required

Other Public Uses

Hunting: General hunting regulations can be found in HRS Title 13 Chapter 121. NƗ PaliKona Forest Reserve contains all four Game Animal management classes (Figure 7C) according to DOFAW’s Draft Management Guidelines: A-1: Game Production, A-2: Mixed Game and Other Uses, A-3: Game Control (public), and A-4: Game Control (supervised). In A-1 areas, game management is a primary objective; hunting seasons and bag limits provide maximal sustained public hunting opportunities and benefits and include Game Management Areas. In A-2 areas, game management is an objective integrated with other uses. Habitat may be manipulated for game enhancement and game populations are managed to acceptable levels using public hunting. In A-3 areas, resource protection is the primary objective, with emphasis on native plant communities and watersheds. Seasons and bag limits are designed for public hunting to reduce impacts to native resources. A-4 areas are designated for animal removal only by staff or agency designees due to environmental sensitivity, remoteness, or public safety.

DOFAW’s Wildlife Program regulates game mammal hunting according to HRS Title 13 Chapter 123. Public hunting areas, designated as Units, are described in §13-123-15 and mapped in Chapter 123 Exhibit 2. Section 1 of NƗ Pali-Kona Forest Reserve lies entirely within Unit H, Section 2 lies within Unit E to the north and south and within Unit B in between, and Section 3, the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve, lies entirely within Unit E. Game mammals include feral pigs (Sus scrofa scrofa), feral goats (Capra hircus hircus), and Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus).

DOFAW’s Wildlife Program regulates game bird hunting according to HRS Title 13 Chapter 122. Public game bird hunting areas on Kaua‘i, also designated as Units, are described in §13-122-11.6 and mapped in Chapter 122 Exhibit 12. Section 1 of NƗ Pali-Kona Forest Reserve lies entirely within Unit H and Section 2 lies within Unit B between Mǀhihi Stream and Waialae Stream. No game bird hunting is permitted in the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve. Game birds on Kaua‘i include Ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor), White-winged pheasant (Phasianus colchicus subspecies), Erckels’ francolin (Francolinus erckelii), Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica), Chuckar partridge (Alectoris chukar), Gray francolin (Francolinus pondicerianus), Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus), Barred dove (Geopelia striata), and Spotted dove (Streptopelia chinensis).

Information regarding current seasons and bag limits for all game species can be obtained by contacting the DLNR Lihue office at 3060 Eiwa Street, Room 306, Lihue, Hawai‘i 96766; phone (808) 274-3433.

Camping: Camping is allowed in NƗ Pali-Kona Reserve on a permit basis at official campsites only (Figure 10) and is regulated by Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) §13-104-19. Permits for KawaikǀƯ, Sugi Grove, Koai‘e, Waialae, and Lonomea campsites are available from the DLNR Lihue office.

Fishing: Fishing for ‘o‘opu is permitted in the Koai‘e and upper Waiakoali streams. Fishing for trout, where present, is permitted when in season. Information regarding current seasons and limits for fish can be obtained by contacting the DLNR Lihue office.

Hiking: Numerous opportunities exist for hiking in NƗ Pali-Kona Reserve. See Section F: Access above for trails information.

Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is allowed on Camp 10 Road, Miloli‘i Vista Trail, and Koai‘e Canyon Trail.

Dirt Bikes, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and Mountain Bikes: Dirt bikes are allowed on Camp 10 Road if registered by the County Division of Motor Vehicles. ATVs are not allowed in NƗ Pali-Kona Reserve. Mountain bikes are allowed on Camp 10 Road and Miloli‘i Vista Trail.

Principle Objectives

DOFAW’s current principle objective for the management of Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve is to maintain Highest Quality Native Ecosystems habitat for threatened, endangered, and rare plants and animals and the associated healthy watershed.

Accessibility

No major roads lead directly into Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve, although there is access from minor roads off Waimea Canyon Drive, which is paved. For access to Section 1, Mākaha Ridge Road passes through the reserve, providing access to Miloli‘i Ridge Road, a portion of which is in the Nā Pali-Kona Forest Reserve. Four-wheel drive access to Section 2 of the reserve can be reached using Mōhihi-Camp 10 Road.