One of Princeville’s most popular coastal access trails has reopened with significant improvements designed to make the steep descent safer and more manageable.
The County of Kauai announced that the Kaumumene Trail, commonly known as the Hideaways Trail, reopened to the public after rehabilitation work was completed on September 24th, 2006. The project, led by the County Department of Public Works, began June 29th and addressed longstanding safety, drainage and erosion concerns along the route.
The changes are immediately noticeable. Previously, portions of the steep trail relied on ropes to help hikers negotiate the descent toward Hideaways Beach. The rehabilitated trail now features constructed steps and sturdy handrails along difficult sections, providing a more secure route down the Princeville bluff. Other work included trail reconstruction, improved drainage, erosion control, vegetation management and the removal of hazardous conditions.
Originally expected to take about eight weeks, construction was extended by weather delays and Hurricane Lowell.
The trail leads to Hideaways Beach, a small, scenic pocket of North Shore coastline tucked beneath the cliffs of Princeville near Hanalei Bay. Although the improvements make the route more secure, the trail remains steep and can become slippery in wet conditions, making appropriate footwear and caution important.
County officials credited Sustainable Engineering, LLC, the Kauai Planning Department and 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, which provided access, parking and other resources during construction. The County also recognized community member Mike Lyons for his longstanding advocacy for the Kaumumene Trail.
With new steps, handrails and other improvements now in place, the reopening marks a substantial upgrade to one of Princeville’s most distinctive public pathways to the coast.
