Location and surroundings
Kawaikini is a peak in the Kauai range of the Hawaiian Islands, in Hawaii, United States, within Kauaʻi County. It is the highest mountain in Kauai and the highest point of the island. The summit rises above a landscape of wet ridges, steep slopes and forested ground, with the surrounding terrain becoming very broken close to the top.
In the island setting, Kawaikini is part of the old volcanic core of Kauai rather than a broad alpine massif. The area around it is shaped by heavy rainfall, swampy forest to the west and steep cliffs on other sides, which makes the upper mountain remote and hard to approach.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks around Kawaikini are:
- Kuaohukini — 1,555 m, 1.4 km north
- Kalalea — 1,079 m, 1.4 km east
- Wai‘ale‘ale — 1,569 m, 1.6 km north
- Kamanu — 1,025 m, 1.9 km southeast
- Pu‘ukī — 1,377 m, 2.2 km west
- Pōhakupele — 1,326 m, 2.6 km northeast
- Pālehua — 1,311 m, 2.9 km southwest
- ‘Iole — 806 m, 3.2 km south
Kawaikini is higher than all of these nearby summits. The closest high neighbour is Wai‘ale‘ale, only slightly lower and just to the north, while several other peaks form a ring of lower ridges around the mountain.
The view from the summit
From the summit area, the main high peaks within 25 km are Kapoki to the northwest at 1,436 m, Nāmolokama Mountain to the north at 1,347 m, Kaumahaloa to the west at 1,305 m, Kalaluanahelehele to the southwest at 1,296 m, Pōhakuwa‘awa‘a to the northwest at 1,284 m, and Pihea Mountain farther northwest at 1,306 m.
These are the larger surrounding summits that define the skyline of central and western Kauai. Kawaikini itself remains the highest point in the area, so any broad summit view would look out over lower volcanic ridges and the wetter highlands of the island.
The range
Kawaikini belongs to the Kauai range, within the wider hierarchy of Polynesia and the Hawaiian Islands. The range’s highest peak is Kawaikini itself, so the mountain is the high point of its own island range. It is also the highest of the 176 named peaks in Kauai.
The island range is entirely in the United States. In practical terms, Kawaikini sits at the top of Kauai’s volcanic relief, with no higher summit on the island and only slightly lower peaks nearby, especially Wai‘ale‘ale.
Climate and weather
These are estimates from NASA POWER climate data. At the summit, the warmest month is August, at about 18 °C, and the coldest is February, at about 14 °C. Mean temperatures stay above freezing in every month. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 850 mm, with the wettest month in March at about 125 mm and the driest in July at about 40 mm.
The main weather issues are frequent rain, wet ground, low cloud and slippery vegetation. On Kauai’s high interior slopes, showers can arrive quickly and visibility can change fast, so even short outings may become slow and muddy.
Best time to visit
Because summit temperatures stay above freezing all year, the main timing issue is rainfall rather than cold. The drier part of the year is usually the better window, with July the driest month in the climate figures and late summer often offering somewhat easier conditions than the wetter months.
Even then, Kawaikini remains a wet mountain, so a visit should be planned for stable weather and with enough time for slow travel on muddy ground. Rain can make the upper slopes much harder to cross at any season.
Nature and wildlife
The mountain sits in a humid tropical island environment with dense forest, swampy ground in places and steep, wet cliffs near the summit. On Kauai, this kind of terrain supports lush vegetation, mosses, ferns and thick undergrowth, especially where rainfall is high and drainage is poor.
The western side is affected by the Alakai Wilderness Preserve, whose dense forest helps limit access. Wildlife on these slopes is typical of Hawaiian uplands: birds, insects and other small island species adapted to wet forest rather than open alpine ground.
Guides and organised ascents
For a mountain like Kawaikini, a certified guide can be useful if you are unfamiliar with wet tropical terrain, route-finding and stream crossings. In the United States, the main professional body is the American Mountain Guides Association, an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the American Alpine Club. Examples of established guiding companies working in the mountains of the country include RMI Expeditions and Exum Mountain Guides.
Guided trips usually depend on the length of the outing, group size, weather, equipment needs and whether extra days are needed for poor conditions. For local planning, visitors often start by checking with regional tourism offices and land managers on Kauai before setting out.
Safety and preparation
Kawaikini demands preparation for steep, wet and remote terrain. The summit area is difficult to reach because of dense forest, swampy ground and cliffs, so sturdy footwear, rain protection, navigation tools and enough food and water are essential. Slips, getting off route and sudden weather changes are the main risks.
The emergency number for mountain rescue in the United States is 911. Dispatchers alert the local search and rescue team, usually run by the county sheriff or a national park authority. Carry a charged phone, but do not rely on coverage in every part of the mountain.
History and name
Kawaikini is the summit of the inactive central shield volcano Mount Waialeale on Kauai. The name comes from Hawaiian and is commonly explained as meaning “the multitudinous water,” a reference to the island’s very high rainfall.
The mountain’s reputation is closely tied to that wet climate. Rain gauges near Waialeale have long made the area notable for extreme rainfall, and the summit has become known more for its weather and access difficulties than for easy climbing routes.
Interesting facts
Kawaikini is the highest peak in Kauai and the highest of the island’s 176 named peaks. Its prominence is also 1,587 m, matching its elevation. The nearest higher-looking neighbour is actually lower: Wai‘ale‘ale lies just 1.6 km to the north at 1,569 m.
The mountain is the high point of the Kauai range and the island itself, so there is no higher summit on Kauai. Its position in one of the wettest parts of the Hawaiian Islands is a defining feature of both the landscape and the climbing experience.
FAQ
How high is Kawaikini? It rises to 1,587 m above sea level.
Where is Kawaikini? It is on Kauai in Hawaii, United States, in Kauaʻi County.
What range is it part of? It belongs to the Kauai range in the Hawaiian Islands and is the range high point.
What peaks are closest to it? The nearest named peaks are Kuaohukini, Kalalea, Wai‘ale‘ale, Kamanu and Pu‘ukī, all within about 2.2 km.
Is there water on the way to Kawaikini? The mountain is very wet, but you should still carry your own supply. Plan on about 1.5 to 3 litres for a day, depending on heat and route length.
Are there huts on Kawaikini? OpenStreetMap shows no hut or shelter within 2 km of the top, so hikers usually plan the ascent as a day trip or carry their own tent.
Is mobile phone coverage reliable? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.