STATE OF HAWAII

Aloha! You are about to enter one ofHawai‘i’s Cultural Resources are Protected by Law. There are severe penalties

the most stunning wilderness areas onearth. Nä Pali Coast State Park possesses
astounding natural beaty. It also contains
a collection of wonderfully preserved
historic features - fragile remnants of
Hawai’i’s past which we need your help
to preserve.

for taking artifacts or damaging archaeologicalsites or burials on State land. Fines of up to$10,000 per offense can be levied under HRS§6E-11, in addition to confiscation of tools,equipment and vehicles used in committing
the offense. Additional restitution for restoration of sites damaged may also be exacted.

KALALAU
TRAIL
Protecting Hawai‘i’s
Cultural Heritage

NA PALI COAST STATEWILDERNESS PARK
State of Hawaii
Department of Land & Natural Resources
DIVISION OF STATE PARKS
P.O. Box 621
Honolulu, HI 96809(808) 587-0300

NA PALI IS A TRULY HAWAIIAN PLACE.
It remains much as it was when the last native
Hawaiians left the area nearly a century ago.
However, deliberate and inadvertent activities ofpark users are taking their toll on the land. Every
year, thousands of people enjoy the beauty of NäPali, hiking and camping in its lush valleys. Many
do not realize that for about a thousand
years,Hawaiians lived here, farming, fishing andworshiping. Look carefully as you hike and camp,and you will see traces of their culture: irrigation
ditches, terraced fields, house platforms, heiau(temples and shrines), and graves. The design ofthese places took into account the natural topography and environment, and as a result these ancientsites often blend into the landscape. The aspects of
the land that Hawaiians sought for their sites--levelground, ocean access, and availability of fresh
water--are also valuable to todays park users, andso modern people find themselves treading on
ancient sites.
Simply walking the trail does not usually damage asite, but it is up to you to be careful and respect theheritage of the Hawaiian people. Here are a few
ways that you can help protect cultural sites so thatthey can last another thousand years.
Stay on the Main Trail. You will often see small side
trails and short cuts, but you should also notice theimpact of such trailblazing: erosion, damage toterraces and walls, and the spread of alien vegetation. Please avoid using side trails or making newones, and you will be protecting the environmentand sites (not to mention decreasing the odds ofyour getting lost or hurt).
Pack out what you pack in. Every year, Parks staff
and volunteers haul out thousands of pounds ofgarbage and things left behind by careless campers. These special trips use resources that could
otherwise be spent on improving Nä Pali. You areresponsible for taking out what you bring in. Afterall, on the way out the load will be lighter, since
you will have eaten food, consumed fuel, etc.
Consider what you really need, and do not bring
things that are unnecessary. The practice of“stashing” food and equipment are a major
problem; Kalalau and other places are littered witheverything from beans to propane tanks, left
behind by people who either did not care enoughto remove them, could not remember where theirstash was, or never came back to use them. In thistropical climate, sun, salt spray, and rain makemost stashes unusable in a short time, and they
end up as many small hazardous dumps on theland. People who make stashes do not consider thecumulative effect of the many other people likethem.
Use Established Camping Areas and Toilets. Lots ofpeople come to Nä Pali to get away from it all, andsome choose to get a little more away by creating
their own campsites. But by clearing vegetation,
moving stones, and customizing a new campsite,
you are often damaging cultural sites, as well as
creating inroads for weeds and increasing theerosion hazard. Legal campsites extend from thefirst major dry stream to the west of Kalalau’s
permanent stream, to the waterfall--an arearoughly defined by the extent of the sand beach insummertime. Camping is prohibited in the valley,in caves and along Kalalau Stream. The same
holds true for using the toilet--defecating on theground is unsanitary, and digging a pit can damage
irreplacable ancient sites, not to mention defilingsacred places.

Land Grants in Kalalau Valley, 1856-57
Do not Make Fireplaces. Open fires are prohibitedin the park. However, many stone fire rings in thecamping areas have been made by taking stones
from ancient Hawaiian sites. Please do not dismantle our heritage by taking stones from terracesor walls. Also, never make a fire up against a rockwall or in a cave, as this can damage a site.
Leave Things Where They Are. Occasionally, hikers
will find a rock or artifact, and want to take ithome a s a souvenir. Not only is this illegal, it isextremely inconsiderate of Hawaiians past andpresent. In addition to cultural materials, it isillegal to remove plants and other materials fromthe Park.

Cave dwelling in Kalalau, circa 1900

Be Vigilant. Take note of your surroundings, andappreciate the accomplishments of the ancientstone wall builders. Please encourage others to
respect the sites as well, and if you see recent
damage to rock walls or other features, report themto the State Parks archaeologist, (808) 587-0286.