Sporting 17 miles of spectacularly isolated coastline, it’s the world’s longest open-ocean kayak tour and one of Hawai‘i’s most adventurous offerings. National Geographic called it the second-best adventure in America and for visitors to Kaua‘i, it’s the natural way to access the pristine, virtually inaccessible Na Pali coast. But this is no paddle in the park and even experienced tour operators like Na Pali Kayak are at Mother Nature’s mercy when they launch a fleet of tourist-filled kayaks.
Case in point was the unexpected voyage experienced by Hawaiian Style magazine publisher Doug King and myself on our first shared adventure assignment. We naively envisioned a half-day sightseeing paddle. It became a record-setting 11-hour Hawaiian ocean odyssey that challenged us in body, mind and spirit. Yet ultimately our adventures (and misadventures) gave us a deeper respect for the awesome power and majesty of Kaua‘i’s Na Pali Coast.
Our story begins with a 5:00AM wake-up. We check in at Na Pali Kayak and meet owner/operator/head guide Ivan Slack. Together with co-owner/operator Joshua Comstock, the pair have steered Na Pali Kayak for 10 years. The company has nine guides, each with up to a decade’s experience; all are certified in first aid and CPR. Ivan notes that for the adventure they offer, “Experience is not a prerequisite but participants must be in excellent physical condition.”
We are fitted for release forms and life jackets; then we truck down to the shore, kayaks in tow. After a 10-minute ride, and brimming with anticipation, we arrive at Haena Beach Park, unload the boats and gear and assemble for a surfside briefing. Next, our two guides, Melissa Hosono and Reise Paluso, run us through the basics of paddling, steering and the art of re-entering our open seat kayaks. By 7:30AM we are launching our five kayaks into moderate surf and riding the waves out to sea.
I am paired with Melissa, a veteran guide with 10 years’ experience. Doug teams up with Reise. The rest of our fleet includes three other couples, two from the mainland and one from Kaua‘i. As we paddle along the coast, Melissa offers perspective on the sites, giving us a deeper understanding of this remarkable region.
