You do NOT need to drive (or hike) Waipio Valley Road in order to go to the Waipio Valley Lookout
. So you can still go see the famous Waipio Valley views from above even if Waipio Valley Road is closed. If Waipio Valley Road is closed, then you can't do anything more than see Waipio Valley from above.
Can you walk down Waipio Valley?
Starting at the Waipio Valley overlook (photo above),
the hike down to the black sand beach on the valley floor is about 1.5 miles or 2.4 kilometers
. It takes about 30 – 45 minutes, but the walk back up will take anywhere between 1 – 1.5 hours depending on your level of physical fitness.
Can you drive to Pololu Valley Lookout?
There are several “levels” of visiting Pololu valley.
The simplest is driving to the lookout for the views
, but you can also make a small (but steep) hike to the valley floor to check out the beach. The real die-hards can also opt for a hike to the next valley.
Is Waipio Valley hike worth it?
There is no question about it, the Waipio Valley hike is
100% worth it
! If you are visiting the Big Island of Hawaii this is a must do adventure activity. It is easily our favorite hike that we have ever done!
Is Waipio closed?
Waipiʻo Valley Road, which leads to one of the Islands' all-time favorite attractions for visitors—Waipiʻo Valley—has been
closed indefinitely
and will only allow residents, property owners, farmers and leaseholders into the area for the foreseeable future.
Why is Waipio Valley closed?
After the mayor announced the road closure, the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau expressed its full support. The bureau has not promoted tourism in the Waipio Valley for more than a decade because of
concerns about the impacts on what is a “sacred and culturally significant place
,” said Ross Birch, executive director.
Can you hike from pololu to Waipio?
This track starts from Pololu Valley, traverses Honokane Nui, Honokane Iki, Honoke'a, Honopu'e, and Waimanu Valleys; to finally reach Waipio Valley
.
How hard is Pololu Valley hike?
Head out on this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaau, Hawaii. Generally considered a
moderately challenging route
, it takes an average of 32 min to complete. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and trail running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you swim in Waipio Valley?
A word of caution about swimming at Waipio Valley, though.
The waters in the beach can be rough and they have been known to pose a huge challenge (in the form of strong currents and undertow) to even the most experienced swimmers
.
How long is hike down to Waipio Valley?
The Hike down into Waipi'o Valley is one of our top-5 short hikes in Hawaii. This hike will take you from the overlook into the valley, to the black sand beach, and back up. The total length of this hike is
~6.5 miles
including lots of vertical meters and is not for the faint of heart.
How long is Waipio Valley hike?
Fee: This hike is free. Distance:
0.8 miles from the trailhead (top) to the road split (the bottom of the valley). From the split, it is 0.5 miles to the beach
. Elevation Gain: About 900 ft gain in less than a mile.
Can you hike to Waipio Valley?
To find them,
walk east along the coastal boulders from Waipi'o beach for less than 1/2 mile
. Don't try to hike here if the tide is high and covering the boulders or if surf is high because it is too dangerous. These falls are often dry unless there has been a considerable amount of recent rain.
Do you need 4×4 for Waipio Valley?
Drive down to Waipio Valley beach
Following this road will take you to see level and the Waipio Valley beach. You will be driving DOWN. This is one of the Big Island drives that
a 4wd is REQUIRED
. It is a STEEP road.
What is Waipio Valley known for?
Located on the Hamakua Coast, the sacred Waipio Valley was
the boyhood home of King Kamehameha I, and an important center for political and religious life in Hawaii
. Not only is “The Valley of the Kings” an important site for Hawaiian history and culture, it's also a place of dramatic tropical beauty.
Can you drive to Waipio Valley?
You do NOT need to drive (or hike) Waipio Valley Road in order to go to the Waipio Valley Lookout
. So you can still go see the famous Waipio Valley from above. You just can't go beyond the Waipio Valley Lookout if Waipio Valley Road is closed.
How do I get to Waimanu Valley?
There is only one way in—
by foot on the Muliwai Trail
, a nine-mile backpacking trek ascending the north face of Waipio via a series of steep switchbacks (visible from the Waipio Valley Lookout) and winding through miles of plateau gulches and forests before descending treacherous switchbacks on Waimanu's south face to …
What is the name of the airport on the Big Island of Hawaii?
Welcome to the Official
Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole
(KOA) Website. Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is the primary airport on the Island of Hawaii. It serves transpacifc and interisland flights. KOA is located in West Hawaii at Keahole.
When did Waipio Valley Close?
Island of Hawaii – Today, the County of Hawaii issued an Emergency Rule announcing the closure of Waipio Valley Road to visitors as a precautionary safety measure and to further assess and mitigate the road's conditions, effective
Friday, February 25, 2022
.
Is pololu valley sacred?
The lush, unspoiled coastline of Pololu Valley is
one of the archipelago's most sacred places
.
How long is Makalawena beach hike?
Get to know this
2.70 mile
, out and back trail near Kailua Kona, Hawaii. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 5 min to complete. This is a very popular area for walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Can you camp in pololu Valley?
You'll probably also notice some nice campsites, but
camping here is illegal
. When you're ready, climb 300′ back to the trailhead. If you'd like to keep hiking, read about the trail to Honokāne Nui.
Can you go to the top of Mauna Kea?
The summit of Mauna Kea is located at 13,796 ft. (4,205 m.) and
can only be accessed by 4×4 vehicle
. Make sure you have a full tank of gas for the trip.
What island has black sand beaches?
Have you ever seen a beach with black sand? Because of constant volcanic activity, you'll find white sands and black sands on the island of Hawaii. Located on the southeastern Kau coast,
Punaluu Black Sand Beach
is one of the most famous black sand beaches in Hawaii.
Where is pololu located?
Polulu Beach is located in lovely Hawaii and is known as a “secret beach” because it is a bit off the beaten path. Polulu Beach is located
on a lovely stretch of land on the Kohala Coast
. This slice of earth is just as dramatic as it is tropical. The vistas that can be seen from the rocky beach are quite stunning.
