Hanalei Valley Overlook

Visiting Hanalei Valley Overlook

Hanalei Valley Overlook is the single best roadside view on Kauai. Pull off Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56) heading north, just before the road drops down into Hanalei, and you're looking at a wide panorama of taro fields, the Hanalei River winding through the valley floor, and jagged green mountains rising behind it all. No hiking required. No entrance fee. Five to ten minutes is all you need.

The pull-off parking area sits on the right side of the highway. It's a designated state scenic viewpoint with a low stone wall and interpretive signs. Space for maybe a dozen cars. If it's full, circle back. This stop is too good to skip on your way to Hanalei.

The Taro Fields

Hanalei Valley is one of the largest taro-growing regions in Hawaii. Taro (kalo in Hawaiian) has been cultivated here for centuries, possibly as far back as AD 700. The green patchwork of flooded fields spread across the valley floor looks like something out of Southeast Asia, not the Pacific.

After a good rain, the view transforms. Waterfalls streak down the mountain walls behind the valley. The taro fields turn an even deeper green. Rain on the North Shore is not a reason to skip this stop. It's a reason to make sure you don't.

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

The valley floor below the overlook is the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It's protected habitat for endangered Hawaiian waterbirds, including the Hawaiian coot (ʻalae keʻokeʻo), Hawaiian duck (koloa maoli), Hawaiian stilt (aeʻo), and Hawaiian moorhen (ʻalae ʻula).

You can't walk down into the refuge. It's closed to public access. But from the overlook, you can see the entire wetland system spread out below you. Binoculars help if you want to spot the birds.

Photography Tips

Morning light hits the valley best. The sun rises behind you (to the east) and illuminates the mountains and taro fields directly. Late afternoon works too, but shadows fill the valley earlier than you'd expect because of the steep mountain walls.

After rain is prime time. Those waterfalls on the mountain backdrop only appear when it's been raining, and they can be dramatic. Bring a telephoto lens (200mm or longer) if you want to isolate individual taro fields or capture waterfall detail on the cliffs. A wide-angle lens captures the full panorama, but the telephoto shots are the ones you'll frame.

Overcast skies actually help here. The valley's greens photograph richer without harsh midday sun blowing out the highlights.