camping in hawaii

We are two girls heading off to a holiday in Hawaii, looking at going to Oahu, Hawai%26#39;i and maybe Kawai%26#39;i. Does anyone know of some nice beachside camping spots to stop for a few days? We are combining driving, hotels and maybe camping (if there are nice spots, looking at %26#39;drive to%26#39; camping spots rather than %26#39;hike to%26#39; spots) and thought a nice stay near a beach in a quiet spot would be good. Any suggestions welcome

camping in hawaii

well, the first thing to know is that camping is illegal in Hawai%26#39;i other than designated State and County Parks, and County Parks require a permit but the permits are not sold at the campground, so you need to PLAN. You can%26#39;t just decide to camp that night.

Permits for the Island of Hawai%26#39;i can be bought online.

Facilities on this island are pretty gruesome, expect non-potable water.

On Oahu you may encounter homeless people camping and also on the Big Island. You also need to have concerns about theft of your belongings at any campground. Try to find one with on site security.

On the Island of Hawai%26#39;i, Spencer is the only one with security.

camping in hawaii

thanks for those comments...I am thikning camping in Hawaii is very different to camping around Sydney!

yes, unfortunately, but I do hear positive reports from campers on Maui and Kaua%26#39;i, so I wouldn%26#39;t say it%26#39;s the same on all the islands.

I rounded up some information for you:

http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/camping/

Hawaii state park camping

index from the National Park Service of all national parks in the state:

http://www.nps.gov/state/HI/

http://www.hawaii-county.com/parks/parks.htm

Big Island camping info (County)

鈥aui.hi.us/parks/campingsites/campsites.htm

Maui County info

www.co.honolulu.hi.us/parks/permits.htm

Oahu camping info

kauai.gov/Government/鈥efault.aspx

Kaua%26#39;i County camping info

Alternative Hawaii website, camping page:

www.alternative-hawaii.com/accom/dxcc.htm

Wildernet, all islands:

activities.wildernet.com/pages/rectype.cfm鈥?/a>

The campsite at Anini Beach on Kaua`i is lovely. Quiet, and right on a peaceful beach, the only true lagoon on the island. Easily accessible by car. You do need a permit.

The best county site on Kauai is Anini. I camped there during June/July 07 and December 07 and am going back in June 08. I already have my permits. It is a safe site and only two miles from a police station. There is cell coverage and an emergency phone if no cell phone is available. It is surrounded by multi million $$ homes and there is a large offshore reef providing relatively calm waters. Parking is right off Anini Road. There are cold waters showers with privacy fences as well as flush toilets in the restroom. Other county sites on Kauai include Hanalei further up on the north shore and Salt Pond and Lucy Wright on the west side of kauai. All are accessible by car.

Anini sounds like such a good choice compared to what we offer on the Big Island. If I were going to camp, I would go there!

I am camping on Oahu for two nites at Malaekahana on the north shore. It has 24 hour security and is supposed to be the best site on Oahu. You have to get permits well in advance as it books full, especially during summer months. Maui has very limited campsites. only two county ones and a few state sites. The state sites are out of the way along the road to Hana. Plan on driving for at least two hours to get there (from the Kahului Airport). The only county site that I would recommend is Papalaua Beach Park in West Maui, about 10 miles south of Lahaina. I have been there several times and its not the greatest, no running water, no showers and only porta potty toilets. It is relatively isolated and close to highway 30 which is the main road along West Maui. It is on a long narrow strip of beach sandwiched between the ocean and Hwy 30. It can be very noisy even into the early hours of the morning. The only other county site in Maui is near Kahului Airport, Kanaha Beach Park (maybe spelling error). Anyways, I would not camp there as it is full of questionable folks, many druggies and homeless.

vb