Vehicle Access to Black Pot Beach Prohibited Until Further Notice

ABOVE: Vehicles at Black Pot Beach on September 9th, 2017.

The County of Kauai reports the Department of Parks and Recreation has announced that vehicle access to the shoreline at Hanalei’s Black Pot Beach, between the Hanalei River mouth and the Hanalei Pier, will be prohibited as of Friday, September 15th, 2017 due to beach erosion.

“We have been monitoring this area for the past few days and the erosion has come to a point where it is dangerous for vehicles to attempt to access this area,” said DOPR Director Lenny Rapozo. “Vehicular access to this area will be blocked until further notice as a safety precaution.” Officials also report the erosion has begun to expose the roots of the Ironwood trees along the shoreline and that crews will trim those trees to mitigate safety concerns.

The beach parking was a favorite pastime for locals who would hang out at the beach with their trucks and gear. Black Pot Beach Park already had a parking shortage problem, especially in the evenings when locals and tourists alike flocked to the pier to watch the sunset. The new prohibition, though apparently needed, will surely put a crimp into the parking situation.

Above: Visitors to Black Pot Beach Park watch the sunset on September 9th, 2017.