Now however, the valley is mostly wilderness interspersed with taro fields (Taro is a traditional Hawaiian staple food) and a couple of dozens of inhabitants. The closest restrooms are at the Keokea Beach Park (10 minutes from the overlook) and just behind the King Kameha Statue which you will pass in Kapaau en-route to the overlook from Hawi. Look for whales offshore in the winter. I've read that the best way into Wai'pio Valley is a wagon or horse tour, but that it is ok to hike into. Oh, so th ehike into Waipio is a serious grade and then to the beach, not sure exactly how long to allow, but its kind of a big deal hike. The trail itself offers breathtaking views of the cliffs, the valley and the black sand beach on the valley floor. Best boogie boarding, body surfing beaches. Traffic in Kailua Kona can be slow, but we found it was more of a problem with congestion trying to drive from one end of the town to the other - e.g. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. Remnants from this landslide can still be found under water 81 miles (130 km) from the current coastline. There were cows at the bottom which was awesome to see. You absolutely work for it on the way back up but even then its still very doable. Horses roam free and waterfalls cascade from tall cliffs. No matter what else you do, go to the valley!. Traffic in Kailua Kona can be slow, but we found it was more of a problem with congestion trying to drive from one end of the town to the other - e.g. Report inappropriate content Lauren D Los Angeles. Snorkeling & diving on the Big Island - Kona Coast & Kohala Coast options. The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. Short and fairly steep trail with beautiful views and a black sand and stone beach at the bottom. For Waipio Valley, you walk on a two land road so do have to dodge traffic, plus I think it's a much steeper and longer walk). Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Locals and tourists alike were free to drive or walk the road (although it was marked as a 4x4 only road). Beautiful hike!!! A lush tropical forest surrounded by almost 500 ft high cliffs and fronted by an ocean that more often than not has high surf and rough waves. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. Another option is trying to find a parking spot over at the Hapuna Prince Hotel (I was staying at the Hapuna Prince DURING the earthquakes!!) To get to the beach, turn right as soon as you reach the valley floor. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. On your way through Hawi if it's lunch time or close try Bamboo- i love the ambience,, and their fish is good. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! It's popular so there are almost always other people there. Mud reported earlier is mostly dry. I also like the North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Any thoughts/suggestions on whether we should skip Wai'pio (but we plan to go to the lookout) or not? Locals will try to get some wave time in before heading to school/workThe gate keeper is pretty strict on how many cars he will even let through to look for spaces. There is a somewhat steep dirt trail that leads to the valley and the beach (black sand, not good for swimming). Elevation Gain: 300'. Honu_Ohana covered it well. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. This is a sublime sacred spot for Hawaiians and visitors alike. From Hilo, take 19 going west until Honokaa and take Highway 240, looking for signs for Waipi'o Valley. I think you'll really enjoy having rental cars very easy to drive in Hawaii (except for Honolulu which is more of a challenge) and it's so nice to just go at your own pace. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Mgventures - thanks for the input in regards to the directions. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Steep and short but worth it! Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Great trail! I think Pololu Valley has more to offer on your way to / from it, than Waipio. Waipi'o Valley We took a few contented sighs before slowly getting up for the final . Swimming in summer should be good. p.s. The hike down the side of the cliff to the valley floor is short but steep: ~420 ft in 0.6 miles (126 meters in 1.0 kilometers) and takes about 20 to 25 minutes for the average hiker. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Pololu is not on the way to/from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Savor the Black Sand Beach. If you want a different perspective on your way back, instead of going back along the coast, go up over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Pololu Valley; 2. The parking is just along the road because the parking lot is 10 minute parking only. I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. You can make this a part of your scenic drive around the Big Island! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! The beach is split in two by the river coming out of the valley, and depending on the amount of water it can be difficult to cross. Cookie Notice That seems right to me. lovebigisland.com, gohawaii.com, bigislandguide.com, and so on). Thank you Amy! The black sand beach at the valley floor looks like a beach at the end of the world. To get down to the valley floor you must either be a Big Island resident and have your own 4WD car, or be willing to pay for a tour. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Absolutely stunning scenery, gorgeous the whole way down. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. Waipio is more of a slog up and down and will take more time but Honoka'a town nearby is a nice stopping off point coming or going. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. If I could only choose one, which would you recommend? Make a game out of it. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Honokne Nui. Waipi'o can also be hiked into, but the hike down is hard and the hike up is murder. As you drive north on Highway 270 where the black lava landscapes of the Kohala Coast give way to the flourishing, green pastures of North Kohala, you'll be rewarded at the end of your journey with an unforgettable view from the Polol Valley Overlook. At the bottom of the steep road turn left to explore inlands, where banana and avocado trees line the road leading into the valley. Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. The sign says it's 1.2 miles and over 800' of elevation gain. Visiting the Waipi'o Lookout is must for me every trip. north to south or vice versa. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Level Contributor 1,672 posts I and a lot of others on this fourm have a ton of bad experiences with bad folks down there.. No (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? At the top you can look down on Pololu valley and a beautiful black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach ). If you take the time to drive all the way to Pololu Valley at the end of Highway 270, don't settle for the view from the overlook! Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. was not the summit of mount Everest as shown in this (alternative?) 2. Image credit: hawaiivolcanovacations. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status. They are not trail guides and I wonder on who's authority they act, if any. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. These horses are among other things used for the guided horseback tours in the valley. Short but steep. Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. Go early or near sunset (it gets quite hot with the black sand. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. Camping permits for the valley have been suspended and hiking trails are closed but the County is working on ways to restore public access as safety consideration allow it. Turn right once you reach the valley floor to get to this beautiful black sand beach. 3. That must have been quite the experience! Great views. Kahaluu closed for coral spawning May 5 thru 12 2023. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. It is not an all day thing unless you want it to be. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. Well worth the walk. The trip down the road should never be attempted in a normal car, only four-wheel drive is allowed. Waipio (or Waipio) Valley is named after the meandering Wailoa Stream that runs through the valley (wai-pio means curved water in the Hawaiian language) and is about one mile wide and six miles deep. We did both last week. Yeah, it was, interesting I had been through the Northridge 'quake in SoCa, too, with some other lesser quakes. There are some trails parallel to the beach that make it easy to get to the other side of the valley (and continue the hike to other valleys) that are worth exploring if you have 20 minutes and a bit of energy to spare. We don't mind hikes and would like to swim at the beach. Just curious what your hours in port are? Don't wear sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, etc. There are no oceanfront resorts. Waipio Valley Directions and Map Taking Highways 19 and 240 will get you there. The trail down into the valley is a section of the old government road to wini. What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? Ocean sounds the whole way. Polol Valley is another one of the seven valleys along Kohala volcano that's been sculpted by thousands of years of erosion. You wouldnt have time to hike down. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. Enjoy this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaau, Hawaii. p.s. As of September 19, 2022 access to the valley floor with a covered 4WD vehicle (no ATV!) If you are driving to points west from Hilo, then swinging by Waipio makes sense. What are the issues about swimming with dolphins? Interested? If you are only going to the Lookout, I think the WOW factor of Waipi'o is off the charts. Really good bodysurfing here. Limited parking at the top but it doesnt seem like many people go there. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93713130', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cars at the top (and so is Waipio), a lot of people don't hike down. 1: Kauai Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: The Npali Coast 6: Kauai Itinerary 7: Kauai blog posts. I've read that the best way into Wai'pio Valley is a wagon or horse tour, but that it is ok to hike into. Where can I find good live Hawaiian or local music and/or hula? Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. You can find information on the following topics in our guide: Did you know that the 1995 blockbuster movie Waterworld has a very Hawaiian twist? Great video on reef etiquette. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The wave-pounded, offshore Paoakalani islets and, beyond them, the Hamakua Coast's most remote sea cliffs. Pololu Valley Beach Hike. Great for first-time visitors. Polol translates to " long spear" in Hawaiian and is named for the many battles that took place in the region. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. For wither, you get to walk along shore. Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. You can read more about this waterfall at the worldofwaterfalls website. 1 here. I absolutely love the drive through Hawi & Kapaa. Hwy 250 ends close to Waimea, intersecting with Hwy 19. chi_dave - Thank you for the detailed reply! Trail is a perfect hike. What are some quality cultural and educational activities on the Big Island? There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley. As we do for most places on the Big Island we recommend to visit Pololu Valley early in the day. Thanks for all of your help! The drive to the Lookout is worth it in any case, for that iconic view and photos. The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. I think Pololu Valley sounds like the better option. These falls only exist when it is raining a LOT. Kailua-Kona to Waipio Valley is about a 1.5 hour drive. There are stunning views of the coast. Thanks all the advice. We walked past all different age groups and everyone was doing just fine Its a quick hike down - 10 ish minutes and coming back up was a solid 20 ish minutes. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. We list below a few things to do / places to see close to Pololu: Keokea beach park is a quiet beach park with a shower, restrooms, and picnic tables close to Hawi and Pololu Valley (2.5 miles, about 10 minutes by car). Hiking shoes encouraged, but not impossible in tennis shoes. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93725113', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hilo and Akaka Falls during our road trip day. You can also find bathrooms, a picnic area and historic information at the overlook. Waipio Valley is basically the one end of this Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast, with the town of Hilo being the other end! I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. The Waipio Valley Road is a 25% grade paved road that descends 900 feet in only one mile. If you're staying a bit further north in one of the Waikoloa resorts on the Kohala coast, it's a bit closer and might take around an hour. I'll stop in Hawi for Tropical Dreams ice creamyummy:), Probably still worth trying to get one of the spots at Mauna Kea - people come and go all day, so a spot just might be available, or if you get there early enough, it might not be filled yet gorgeous beach, and Hapuna is now charging $5. How can I visit Mauna Kea summit and/or the Visitor Information Station? Powered by Invision Community. The town of Honokaa near Waipio is worth a stop if you go to Waipio - I think Hawi has more character, but Honokaa is an interesting town as well. The reason Im giving this such a low rating is because you literally can not do anything but walk up and down the hill. The town of Honokaa near Waipio is worth a stop if you go to Waipio - I think Hawi has more character, but Honokaa is an interesting town as well. I've read that the best way into Wai'pio Valley is a wagon or horse tour, but that it is ok to hike into. Which Island do you recommend? Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! But, which do you all prefer? If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. Last time I was there, he kept a "tick" list and wouldn't let anyone through once he ticked off enough cars to take up the public access parking. I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. The Mauna Kea had some major damage, so they brought over some guests from there for the rest of their stays. For this reason it is both referred to at the Polol Trail and the wini trail. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Beach, Puukohol Heiau National Historical Site Trail, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Mauna Kea Beach to Hapuna Beach, Kalahuipua'a Historic Park and Fishponds Loop, Muliwai and Waimanu Valley Trail [CLOSED]. Just be sure not to poach any of the loungers that are there for hotel guests, When I visit the Big Island, I always have to make the drive all the way up to the Pololu Lookout. Emerald, foliage-filled cliffs, cradling Pololu's valley floor and its winding, freshwater stream.
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