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#CatTravels: Hanalei and the Kalalau Trail

By Catherine Toth Fox • January 30, 2013 • #CatTravels, Food

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My mom wasn’t thrilled with the idea of me hiking the Kalalau Trail on Kauai, notorious for being one of the most treacherous, dangerous hikes in the state.

And it didn’t help that the trail had been recently re-opened to the public for hiking and camping after a month-long search for a potentially dangerous fugitive who allegedly threw a park visitor from a cliff in the valley in December.

She didn’t like the fact that I’d be hiking in a remote area — and after a heavy rain, no less — with a “potentially dangerous fugitive” on the loose.

I couldn’t blame her.

But then again, wasn’t that part of the adventure?

So on my second day on the Garden Isle, I hopped into my rental car and drove the 32 miles from my hotel in Kapaa to Kee Beach and the start of the 11-mile trail.

Good thing we were just going to Hanakapiai Beach.

Just don’t tell my mom this beach is famous for drownings.

Here’s what my second day on Kauai looked Like:

Good morning, Kauai

Good morning, Kauai
Image 1 of 31

I started the day early, heading to Hanalei, which is about an hour-long drive from Kapaa.

Follow my adventures on Kauai on Twitter @thedailydish and on Instagram @catherinetoth.

Special thanks to the Kauai Visitors Bureau for setting all this up!

CatTravelsHanaleiHawaiiKalalau TrailKapaaKauaitravel
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#CatTravels: Blue skies over Kauai
#CatTravels: Can't leave Kauai without Hamura Saimin

About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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12 Comments

  • Reply David Jackson January 31, 2013 at 4:34 am

    Love hiking Kauai, it can be a bit treacherous so always go with other people. Brought back some good memories. Used to think Kauai was the place to live off the land because you got all kinds of food to eat in the wilderness.

    I love the picture of the chocolate machine. At first glance it looks like a rusty old hunk of junk. Then you realize it is chocolate not grease all over it. LOL.

  • Reply M January 31, 2013 at 6:34 am

    Hello Cat!
    Kauai is so laid back. The only hike I did was up in Kokee.

  • Reply Annoddah Dave January 31, 2013 at 6:36 am

    CAT: Whew! what a hike! Now I’m ready for brekkie! Tenks!

    • Reply Catherine Toth February 7, 2013 at 8:58 pm

      I took a long brekkie — a whole day! And guess what I did? Eat!

  • Reply rayboyjr January 31, 2013 at 8:51 am

    Hey Cat … great pics!!! … nothing like a hke to experience the beauty of the islands … haven’t been to Kauai in a long time … but I loved it there …

    … and the Lawai manju are my favorite … while at UH a friend from Kauai would always bring back a box when she went back home … she was actually from Lawai … missed those … wish I had a tray right now!!! …

    … I see being a foodie is a 365 day a year job, huh … love it!!! …

    • Reply Catherine Toth February 7, 2013 at 8:58 pm

      Lawai manju was freaking awesome; second only to my mom’s!

  • Reply soogs January 31, 2013 at 9:40 am

    if u have time, go visit papalani gelato in the poipu shopping village. their salt pond flavor is way ono!
    https://papalanigelato.com/gelato-menu/hawaiian-gelato/

    • Reply Catherine Toth February 7, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      Salt Pond flavor? If that for real???

  • Reply WildeOscar January 31, 2013 at 9:42 am

    Your pictures illustrate one very good day. Most people go their entire lives without seeing that kind of beauty (and eating that kind of food) in a single day.

    “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” (Henry David Thoreau)

    Not you, Cat, and you inspire the rest of us.

    • Reply Catherine Toth February 7, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      I love that quote. And I do try to live every day, full of experiences. I mean, why not? We only live once. And we’re lucky enough to live HERE!

  • Reply kalei January 31, 2013 at 10:58 am

    Love the Hukilau, eat there every time I go home.

    • Reply Catherine Toth February 7, 2013 at 8:57 pm

      It was my first time and I’m a believer!

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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