At least a dozen Kalalau Trail backpackers hiked out Wednesday morning after being stuck overnight in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park when Hanakapiai Stream flooded. One couple was nearly swept away when they crossed the stream in chest-deep water
At least a dozen Kalalau Trail backpackers hiked out Wednesday morning after being stuck overnight in the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park when Hanakapiai Stream flooded.
One couple was nearly swept away when they crossed the stream in chest-deep water using a makeshift line. Witnesses said at one point, the woman lost her grip and went into the stream. At the last second, her companion grabbed her and she climbed onto his back.
“We thought it was over for her,” said hiker Valeria Gracheva, who said she didn’t mind spending an extra night stranded with a companion.
Hanakapiai Stream overflowed Tuesday afternoon following heavy rains. The Kauai County Fire Department was alerted about the stranded hikers but due to strong winds and continued rain, the department was unable to fly its rescue helicopter, Air 1, to the scene.
County lifeguards from the Kee Beach tower hiked two miles to the stream to talk with the stranded people. Prior to their arrival, backpackers describe others who panicked and fashioned a thin line to cross the fast-moving water.
“After the last couple came very close to death and at that point everyone said you guys shouldn’t cross and I was of the same decision because the risk seemed too high,” said Alexander Lau.
A state parks ranger hiked to the stream crossing Wednesday morning before giving the all-clear to reopen Napali Coast State Wilderness Park to hikers and backpackers. Officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement were stationed at the trailhead to warn users of the closure.
No one was hurt in the flooding and all of the stranded backpackers made it back to their cars. The Kalalau Trail re-opened by noon.
Hanakapiai Stream, at flood stage, has claimed numerous lives over the years, when people attempting to cross it were swept out to sea. The DLNR Division of State Parks closes the Kalalau Trail in advance of flood warnings and immediately after and during flash flooding.
