Haena State park shuttle to Haena Beach Park

Question

I have a reservation for an early morning shuttle to Haena State park the first week of May. We plan on hiking the first part of Kalalau Trail and then spending some time at Kee Beach. We also want to spend some time at Haena Beach Park in the afternoon. I have seen on the website for the shuttle that it makes stops at Haena Beach. I have also seen posts that say it doesn’t stop there. I am looking for feedback from anyone that knows if it’s possible for us to take the shuttle from the park and get dropped off at Haena Beach and then get back on the shuttle after the beach to get back to our car at the shuttle parking lot. If so, is it difficult to reboard the shuttle around 3pm at the Haena Beach stop? Would it make more sense to just take the shuttle from the park back to the shuttle parking lot and then drive ourselves to the Haena Beach parking lot? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

The Haena State Park shuttle system is designed to manage parking and traffic along the Na Pali Coast, particularly during peak times. Your plan to hike the first part of the Kalalau Trail and then visit Kee Beach is a common itinerary, but adding Haena Beach Park in the afternoon requires careful planning because shuttle policies and stops can be confusing.

Based on recent traveler feedback and official shuttle guidelines:

The shuttle primarily runs between the designated parking lot (at Wainiha or Haena State Park) and the trailhead/Ke’e Beach area. While some shuttles may stop at Haena Beach, it is not a guaranteed stop for reboarding passengers, and the shuttle may not wait long for people getting back on from the beach.
Attempting to get dropped off at Haena Beach in the afternoon and reboard the shuttle around 3pm can be risky. During busy times, shuttles are on a strict schedule and may skip informal stops, especially if there is no clear pickup location.
It is safer and more predictable to take the shuttle from your early morning parking spot to Haena State Park/Kalalau Trail, complete your hike, then return on the shuttle to your car. After that, you can drive yourself a short distance to Haena Beach Park and spend the afternoon there, which ensures you aren’t relying on the shuttle schedule for reboarding.

Additional tips:

If you choose to drive to Haena Beach Park, arrive early to secure parking, as it can fill quickly even in the early afternoon.
Consider checking the official Haena State Park shuttle website or calling the park office ahead of time to confirm any updates on shuttle stops and schedules for your specific date.
Keep in mind that shuttle schedules may change seasonally or due to weather conditions, so flexibility is important.

Overall, while it might be theoretically possible to use the shuttle to reach Haena Beach Park and reboard later, the most reliable approach is to return to your car first and then drive to Haena Beach for the afternoon to avoid missing the shuttle.

Haena State park shuttle to Haena Beach Park

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