Sierra Club Kauai Kayaking Outing 2012
Kayaking Na Pali, a Sierra Club outing, will be July 21 thru 27, 2012. Kayaking the Na Pali coast provides the adventurous traveler the opportunity to explore a truly spectacular Read more
Hawaiian Reef Fish and Yellowfin Surgeonfish
Yellowfin Surgeonfish, whose Hawaiian name is Pualu, are commonly seen on Hawaiian reefs. The Yellowfin Surgeonfish is one of several marine fish that change color as they get older. This characteristic confused fish identification, and originally put the young and adults in a different species. Only recently have zoologists begun to understand their metamorphosis.
Yellowfin Surgeonfish (Acanthurus xanthopterus) are purplish-gray in color, with irregular blue lines on the body, a region of yellow in front of its eye, blue bands on the dorsal and anal fins, and a black spine at the base of the tail. The outer pelvic fins are yellow, and the blue tail fin is lyre-shaped, sometimes with a white band at the base of the tail fin. They have 8-9 dorsal spines and 3 anal spines. Attaining 22 inches, this is the biggest of all Surgeonfish. They live near coral reefs at depths ranging from 16 to 300 feet. Juveniles inhabit shallow, protected, turbid inshore waters while adults prefer deeper areas of protected bays and lagoons. They sometimes gather in small schools, feeding on algae near the coral reef as well as over sandy areas far from the reef.
Hawaiian Reef Fish and Orangeband Surgeonfish
Orangeband Surgeonfish are found in Hawaiian reefs from 10 feet to 150 feet deep. The juvenile Orangeband Surgeonfish is bright yellow, with a blue edge on the anal and dorsal fins, and similar in appearance to the Yellow Tang. The color of the adult Orangeband Surgeonfish (Acanthurus olivaceus) is grayish-brown to olive (thus the species name, “olivaceus”), usually with the front of the fish being lighter in color, and becoming darker on the rear portion of the fish. Prominently displayed on each side of the fish is a horizontal orange band broadly ringed with blue. The orange band extends back from the gill opening, and becomes more brilliant with age. The base of the dorsal fin is also lined with orange. Near the rear of the tail fin is a crescent-shaped white mark.
The Orangeband Surgeonfish, whose Hawaiian name is Na‘ena‘e, may be seen near coral reefs, in small schools, feeding on filamentous algae and detritus covering sand and bare rock. Juveniles inhabit protected bays and lagoons, singly or in small groups in shallow water. They grow up to 12 inches long.
Kauai Beaches and Hanalei Bay
Hanalei Bay Beach is consistently rated one of the best beaches in Hawaii. With over two miles of golden sand ringing the crescent bay and a backdrop of waterfalls and mountains up to 4,000 feet high, Hanalei Bay is considered by many visitors and residents to be the most beautiful beach setting in Hawaii. Hanalei means “lei-shaped bay” in Hawaiian, and is a fitting description of this almost perfectly circular bay.
Hanalei Bay is the largest bay on Kauai and is located between Hanalei River to the east and Waipa River to the west. The ocean bottom slopes gently, and large coral reefs are found at the ends of the bay, Pu’u Poa Reef to the east and Waikoko Reef to the west. Three beach parks are located on Hanalei Bay: Black Pot Beach Park, Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park, and Wai’oli Beach Park. Each of them has restrooms, showers, and parking. Black Pot Beach Park borders the mouth of the Hanalei River and is also the site of a public boat ramp and a 300-foot-long pier.
Hanalei Bay is excellent for a wide range of activities – from swimming to kayaking to boating to surfing. It is subject to high surf and strong currents in the winter months. High surf from September through May creates strong rip currents and pounding shorebreaks. Swimmers should go to the northernmost part of the bay where the water remains calm throughout the year. Check with lifeguards before going in the water.
Black Pot Beach Park, at the eastern corner of the bay, has for many years been the traditional gathering place for residents of Hanalei. The area was named after a large, black community cooking pot that sat in the park for many years, and although the pot is now long gone, residents still use the name and continue to congregate there. Hanalei Landing, the long pier at the west end of the park, was constructed in the early 1920s when interisland steamers were still the primary means of transportation.
- Long, sandy beach
- Lifeguards
- Restrooms and showers
- Grass and shady areas
- Picnic facilities and pavilions
- Pier and boat ramp
- Good swimming and snorkeling
- Good surfing and boogie boarding
- Windsurfing and sailing
- Kayaking and canoe paddling
- Fishing
Directions: From Princeville, drive down Highway 56, over the one lane bridge, past the taro fields, and into Hanalei. Take a right on Aku Road, and continue driving until you reach Weke Road. Take a right and go to the end to reach Hanalei Bay Beach Park.
Please remember: When in doubt, don’t go out.
Check our Kauai Surf Report.
Hawaiian Reef Fish and Bullethead Parrotfish
The Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) is native to Hawaiian reefs. The Bullethead Parrotfish (Uhu) gets its common name from the symmetrical shape of its head. It is a relatively common reef fish, seen in shallow as well as deeper waters, feeding on coral and algae, and grows to 15 inches in length.
The initial phase of this Parrotfish is dark brown on the body and red around the mouth. The female is reddish-brown with a double row of white spots toward the back, and a white tail with a black spot on it. The body of the male is pastel blue-green with an orange-yellow blush on the side, and small, vertical, pink lines on the fish’s scales. Terminal phase males are blue-green with pinkish scale edges. The caudal peduncle is green and the upper sides of the body are often bright yellow. The snout is lavender-pink, bordered by blue-green. Photo by Ignati.
Kauai Path and Dogs
Dogs on Ke Ala Hele Makalae:
- Dogs may be on the paved portion of the path plus six feet on either side
- Dogs may be in comfort, picnic pavilions, and rest stations
- Dogs should be led directly from trail head parking facilities to the path
- Handler must be in control of dog at all times
- No minimum age requirement for dog handler
- Two dogs per handler max
- Must have poop bag in evidence
- The Kauai Humane Society worked with the Department of Parks & Recreation to donate and install several dispensers for bio-degradable poop bags
- Dog owner must remove and dispose of dog’s feces
- Dog must be licensed
- Maximum leash length 6 ft. (No extendable leashes allowed.)
- Must leave path area if dog gets aggressive
