Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. Why do I need to pack warm clothes for a trip to Hawaii Island? Go to Waipio Valley. Walk back along the beach and prepare for a tricky trek along boulders battered by the waves and a constant spray of salty water. 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. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. If I ever go back I will definetly do one of the tours, but we don't feel bad about missing it because of all the other things we saw. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Ditto the above re swimming. With four days, I wouldnt devote a day to the east side. Dont venture too far inland to avoid trespassing and disturbing sites that shouldnt be disturbed. You wouldnt have time to hike down. Report inappropriate content Lauren D Los Angeles. There are no oceanfront resorts. That seems right to me. Theme by 17th Avenue. The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. Swimming in summer should be good. Waipio Valley is a part of the Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! We just didn't want to kill that much time and we never made it back. Want to report conditions for this trail? The Hapuna Prince handled it well - safety was absolutely their first thing. Now that we have answered some FAQs, lets talk about the best places to watch the sunrise on the Big Island. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. Not at all. This wild part of the Big Island is home to a series of seven deep valleys, the first of which is Pololu Valley - the next stop. If you are going to Pololu Valley during whale season (between ~December and March) and want to include a whale-watching picnic to your visit you should start by checking out our DIY whale watching tips. You dont need to drive or walk down into the valley to get to the overlook which makes it a VERY popular spot to check out the valley. If you are very lucky (or unlucky, that depends on how much you mind the rain) you can see the Kaluahine Falls on your right hand (east) side once you get to the beach. It is not an all day thing unless you want it to be. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Kahaluu closed for coral spawning May 5 thru 12 2023. Park your car in the small parking lot that is literally at the . Agree that it's probably best to go to Pololu first, and beaches on the way back - except if you get an early start, I'd try to do a quick stop at the beach at the Mauna Kea resort. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. 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. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status. If you have any other suggestions don't be afraid to give them. Are both valleys pretty similiar? High surf, undertow, and rip tides are frequently present so only go in the water if you are a good swimmer and dont get in too deep. 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. The beach looks beautiful and is a very good place to relax after coming down into the valley, but take care with going into the water. Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. Right around 400 feet. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). 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). Great video on reef etiquette. Walk west along the beach as far as you can, take care when crossing the stream as the water is as strong as it is cold, and reach the end of the beach underneath the cliff for an unforgettable view. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. Trail is a perfect hike. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. 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. Great 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]. This series consists of the following valleys: Water has eroded 7 deep valleys into the windward side of the Kohala Volcano of the Big Island. I had to leave the valley as I was running out of daylight to cross the rocky path and climb up the incredible steep road back onto the lookout. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. We spent the last day on the Big Island valley hopping and checking out a remote cabin on a private beach. Polol valley is the most northern of the impressive valleys that are carved into the Kohala volcano at the lush green pastures of the Kohala region on the Big Island. It's popular so there are almost always other people there. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the one at Waipio, but it's on a hiking trail, vs. Waipio where you'll be hiking on a poorly maintained, very steep road shared with vehicles. 8am-6pm. There are people living in Waipio Valley. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! I would choose Pololu - there are some nice beaches to stop at on the S. Kohala coast (although you could incorporate those into a Waipio drive as well) - but the drive up #270 and down #250 provides a lot of amazing scenery, which for me would be the deciding factor in favour of Pololu. I've stayed at both hotels, both good beaches. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. Syr101 - Just a note that there aren't any food concessions at the beaches so bring some food or pick up some along the way if you're planning to eat at the beach. This spot is lesser known than the Waipio Valley, but is certainly worth the effort to get to. The Pololu Valley Lookout gives a spectacular view over the cliffs of the Kohala volcano. Swimming at either beach is dangerous (rip currents & undertow), so you'd want to limit your swimming to beaches on the S. Kohala coast on the way there or back. We went to the big island during our honeymoon. I think Pololu Valley sounds like the better option. The cliffs of the Kohala coastline were formed during a catastrophic landslide between 250.000 and 300.000 years ago during which a large part of the volcano slipped into the ocean. If you are driving to points west from Hilo, then swinging by Waipio makes sense. Shares the beach area with the Prince Hapuna Beach Hotel. Waiulili Falls is the second of the ocean-bound waterfalls accessible via the sacred Waipi'o Valley (the other being Kaluahine Falls). It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! This is not the actual address of the spot, but it wouldn't let me enter the correct spot since there really isn't an address. 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. 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. Waipi'o can also be hiked into, but the hike down is hard and the hike up is murder. Before Europeans arrived, the valley was decorated with taro patches, but there's not much of that left. I thought it was more so on w/e's. Pololu is a relatively easy walk down and up for the healthy, albeit with some challenging footing. 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. 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. 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. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. And, KamaainaK, yeah maybe we'll skip these. Waimanu Valley. Small parking lot at end of the road at trailhead. Why not to use nicknames or English translations, Trip Reports! With a population of less than 75,000, Kauai is truly a small-town island, littered with open space, protected preserves, and old plantation history. Take the time to explore. Polol Valley is the first valley from the right. In part though it depends where you are starting your trip from. Swimming at either beach is dangerous (rip currents & undertow), so you'd want to limit your swimming to beaches on the S. Kohala coast on the way there or back. We have never been to HI an you are really helping us out. No matter what else you do, go to the valley!. The views are amazing as you take the steep access road into the valley. Waipio Valley Directions and Map Taking Highways 19 and 240 will get you there. This is one of my favorite hikes on the big island. The hike at Pololu down to the beach is shorter than the one at Waipio, but it's on a hiking trail, vs. Waipio where you'll be hiking on a poorly maintained, very steep road shared with vehicles.
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