Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve, Protected wilderness area in Kauai County, United States
The Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve is a protected highland forest area on Kauai with dense wet vegetation typical of tropical mountains. Elevated boardwalks guide visitors through the ecosystem and prevent damage to the delicate plants and soil.
The preserve was formally established in 1981 to protect this unique highland forest. The land was shaped by volcanic activity that created the geological foundation supporting the ecosystem that exists today.
The name 'alakaʻi' comes from Hawaiian and means guide or path. Local people created routes through this difficult terrain long before the modern trails existed.
Access is via a trail around 3.5 miles long with elevated boardwalks through the landscape. Frequent rain and high-altitude mountain conditions make warm waterproof clothing and sturdy footwear essential for any visit.
The preserve is home to roughly 48 endangered bird species found nowhere else but Kauai, including rare types like the Kauai Elepaio. These birds depend entirely on the wet mountain forest that this reserve protects.
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