Residents tackle excessive traffic, other issues near trailhead to Ho’opi’i Falls in Kapaʻa

Every day, carloads of mostly tourists drive down the narrow, one-lane, dead-end Kapahi Road in search of the trailhead in Kapaʻa that leads to Hoʻopiʻi Falls, a location used in the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park.

Wherever the hikers can find space, they park, often blocking driveways and fire hydrants. They leave trash, including empty vodka bottles, clothes, shoes and water bottles.

Some hikers have even defecated and urinated in front of her property, said Leila Suzuki, the third generation of her family to live on Kapahi Road. And resident Eleanor P. Nuesca-Rita said a car driven by a hiker on that road hit her dog, who died despite her paying $1,700 in vet bills.

Suzuki said on Monday that she is at her breaking point. For years, she and others have complained to Kauaʻi County, which owns and maintains the road, about the excessive traffic and free-for-all parking that has led to confrontations with residents. And for years, she said they have been ignored.

Now, Suzuki is leading a neighborhood meeting on July 19 to gather as many signatures as possible to submit to the Department of Public Works’ Building Division for permits to install Residential Access Only signs, No Parking signs, a trail hours sign and trash cans along Kapahi Road.

“Please do something about this,” Suzuki has said via letters to the Mayor’s office, other county officials and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. “We are not asking you to shut down the falls, but we need to maintain a safe environment.”

She is hoping that this will initiate an inspector to come out to the road and determine that the signs and trash cans are warranted, and that the county will make and install them.

The residents efforts now seem to be gaining traction. Suzuki’s petition has gathered more than 1,000 signatures so far. And people in authority acknowledge action is needed.

Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauaʻi Visitors Bureau, said: “We are aware of the situation. We are concerned. And, yes, there needs to be a solution.”

It is difficult to find the trailhead. Once you walk down the road, see brush to the left side. People stick their heads in, can see a tiny trail.

Kanoho suggests a shuttle with hiking permits for anyone wanting to visit the falls, or having the area geo-tagged with a message encouraging outdoor enthusiasts to consider other trails.

“Hoʻopiʻi Falls is under the jurisdiction of the State and is one of Kauaʻi’s gems,” Mayor Derek Kawakamiʻs Office said in a statement to Kauaʻi Now. “However, access to it is in a neighborhood where local families live their daily lives, and the surge of visitors driven by social media and travel sites has put a strain on an area never meant for heavy traffic.”

The statement also said that safety is a significant concern, given the number of rescues at the falls.

“This situation highlights why destination management and keeping visitors on designated paths are crucial for protecting both our communities and the places that make Kauaʻi special,” the statement said.

While the county is responsible for the road, the state owns most of the land on which the popular 2.6-mile trail to the falls runs. It has evolved from a traditional path used by locals for fishing, gathering and accessing a stream to an adventurous hike through dense jungle terrain, surrounded by bamboo groves and tropical flora.

In 2019, the Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to continue a permit that allows public access to Ho‘opi‘i Falls. But now, it is not clear whether it is the Department of Land and Natural Resources or the Department of Agriculture that is responsible for the trail, which does not appear to be maintained and does not have a sign about it at the trailhead.

The trailhead is not easy to find, with people moving brush to see where it starts. This has led to some hikers mistakenly going on private property.

Hikers learn about the trail primarily from the Internet and hiking and travel apps.

All Trails, the popular hiking app, said “the trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. … This area is not just a hike — it is ʻāina, or land with deep cultural, historical, and spiritual significance to the Native Hawaiian community.

“Portions of the trail and surrounding areas are privately owned, part of generational kuleana lands, and are still actively cared for by local families. In some areas, you may be walking near or through spaces that hold freshwater sources (wai) and potentially even burial sites (iwi kūpuna). This is not a place for off-trail wandering, loud music or disrespectful behavior.”

The Mayor’s statement also said: “There’s no easy fix, but we’re working to strike the right balance between keeping our open spaces accessible and ensuring our residents don’t feel overwhelmed. We ask everyone to stay off private property. People live here, and visitors should tread lightly and be respectful.”

Suzuki said just telling people to be respectful doesn’t work. Neither does putting up home made No Parking signs. She said Kapahi Road cannot support the high level of vehicle and foot traffic it is experiencing on a daily basis.

“There are no sidewalks, no parking infrastructure, and cars regularly block our driveways, mailboxes and access points,” she said. “Emergency vehicle access is compromised every day.”

She said in some cases, people park on their driveways, and cars canʻt drive down the road due to the large crowds.

“It’s not uncommon to find groups of tourists congregating in our carports or even sitting and resting in our garages, completely obstructing our private property and ability to come and go freely,” Suzuki said.

In 2024, the Kauaʻi Police Department said four reports were filed in that area for theft, car break-ins and other incidents. In January 2025, a report was made regarding an abandoned vehicle.

And on Monday, while a reporter was present, a Jeep suddenly parks on Suzuki’s lawn and a family of seven hikers about 10 to 60 years old began unloading personal items and spraying themselves with strong mosquito repellent. Suzuki asked them to move their vehicle. When they did not and quickly became combative, she called the police.

The adults in the group spoke to the women callously, refusing to move the car due to the way they were approached. Although one man offered Suzuki and Nuesca-Rica $5 to park on the property for an hour. When the women refused, the man spewed slurs and asked if they were ‘dumb’ or ‘high’ for refusing the money.

Suzuki said this type of interaction is commonplace. “I don’t even like coming outside of my house with my daughter,” she said.

The officer on scene said they told the family not to harass the neighbors and park on private property. The officer also informed Suzuki that if the Jeep returned and continued to harass, to call law enforcement back.

Suzuki has posted videos on social media asking for people’s thoughts about the situation. Some sympathize with her situation, while others say they don’t care.

One comment said: “Sorry, but not a lot of sympathy for you. You can’t shut out the world and keep the beautiful spots for yourself; life doesn’t work that way. And if it is affecting your mental health so badly, then you need to make some decisions about your life.”

But another read: “Keep holding strong, we will find a way to make change.”

A Florida resident who only wanted to be addressed as Andrew said he has visited Hoʻopiʻi Falls for the past seven years, and sides with the neighborhood, encouraging respect.

“It feels like it’s gotten busier every year,” he said. “Itʻs crazy how busy it is here. I donʻt blame you guys. Maybe they should go somewhere else, but I would go to the county if it’s impacting your life, which it seems like it probably is, because this is crazy.”

The All Trails app does warn hikers that parking is a major issue for the trail to the falls. It says to “Please park at Kapahi Park, a designated public lot about a 10–15 minute walk away.”

But Kanoho said that is not a good option because “it’s a residential park and not meant for the falls. Additionally, we don’t want people walking on the road, as that’s not safe.”

Kanoho said she wants to “call a meeting with everyone and decided what can and can not be done so that we are all clear about it.”

Residents interested in signing the Kapahi Road signage petition can click here.

“It’s about the safety of us and for them,” Nuesca-Rita said. “We can’t drive down the road or park, and nobody cares. It’s devastating to see all the hard work we’ve put into trying to keep our residential area clean and safe and come back to trash.

She said every day she braces to get disrespected: “I get called derogatory names. I sometimes fear for my safety, and I shouldn’t have to deal with this. We deserve better.”