Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. 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. Pololu has more rocks on the shoreline and not a place I would swim. Theres only just a few spots in the actual parking lot but tons of parking on the side of the road leading in. There is a somewhat steep dirt trail that leads to the valley and the beach (black sand, not good for swimming). Small parking lot at end of the road at trailhead. Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. Id do a North Kohala excursion, which is far more convenient to where youre staying. There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. Between the two, I'd go with Pololu. 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. Shorter hike down, not on a road. You wouldnt have time to hike down. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. 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. 1 here. Waipio valley was home to old Hawaiian kings and once upon a time was densely populated. There are stunning views of the coast. Where can I find good live Hawaiian or local music and/or hula? It's a very well maintained trail and the views at every point are just beautiful. Take the time to explore. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. I absolutely love the drive through Hawi & Kapaa. 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 Pololu Valley. Mud reported earlier is mostly dry. The Pololu Trail Steward program is a recent initiative in which one or more local stewards are present at the Pololu Valley trailhead to inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. Looking for general advice on visiting the Island of Hawaii. One of the best hikes my husband and I did while on the big Island. 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. I've stayed at both hotels, both good beaches. 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. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. The Pololu Valley Lookout gives a spectacular view over the cliffs of the Kohala volcano. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. It was going to be be a stop on the way to/from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. To get there you have to follow the Akoni Pule Highway (highway 270) until it ends ends 8 miles east of the town of Hawi at the Pololu Valley lookout. Coming back uphill is easier (no loose rocks). Best boogie boarding, body surfing beaches. I also like the North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Great views. Maybe I'm incorrect in my assumptions. We just went to the Wai'pio valley lookout but did not do any of the tours because we didn't book anything in advance and the next tour was 2 hours away. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Some bitched and moaned about not being able to use the elevator, not being able to get right back to the rooms (they checked every one of them for issues like things fallen off walls, TVs fallen down, cracks), stuff like that. The trail is slippery at the very top. Better to go down to the next spot at Hapuna State Park. 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. 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 ? This 22 mile network of flumes and ditches is essential for the water supply of a part of the island but also made sure that there are no permanent residents anymore in Pololu Valley. During or after rains the trail can be slippery and because of the relatively steep average grade of the trail (13%) we rate the difficulty as moderate. 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. Its steep but not overly strenuous and you will be rewarded with lovely vistas. 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Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. When you get to the bottom, there's a lovely stream, a scenic black sand beach and a unique, lush area just back from the black sand beach that I would swear had fairies living in it. We will be in Kona one day on a cruise, renting a car, and want to do some hiking and swimming. They get to share Polols great historical and cultural values, along with the and significance the area has for those living in and visiting Kohala. A geotechnical assessment outlining the rockfall and landslide risks associated with traveling along Waipio Valley Road has led the County of Hawaiis to close Waipio Valley Road to visitors. Snorkeling & diving on the Big Island - Kona Coast & Kohala Coast options. The beach itself is made out of a mix of black sand and large boulders. 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. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. Also consider visiting lovely Waialea Bay (small admission charge for Hapuna State Park). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. 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. 1: Maui Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Road to Hana (Maui) 6: Maui Itinerary 7: Maui blog posts, The second-biggest island in the chain, much of Mauis appeal comes from its natural landscape and biodiversity, including its two massive volcanoes, whale watching and marine ecosystems, 1: Oahu Overview 2: Things to Do 3: Where to Stay 4: Popular Sights and Destinations 5: Oahu Beaches 6: Oahu Itinerary 7: Oahu blog posts. Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. We don't mind hikes and would like to swim at the beach. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Both valleys were heavily farmed historically, but today there no more loi kalo (taro ponds) in Polol, unlike Waipio, which is still home to many Native Hawaiian kalo farmers. Wear good shoes for the descent/ascent part. Pololu Valley Lookout. 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. 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. Pololu Valley, in contrast, is visited less frequently, and most visitors don't even know that you can hike down to the beach from the lookout point. If you are visiting in the winter months (from ~December to ~March) this is a great place to try and see humpback whales. Great trail! On the steepest part, it rises 800 ft in only 0.6 miles. I don't think the difference is time are much. Wear hiking boots to walk on lava (not much sand at the beach) and show respect to the Hawaiian ancestors buried near here by not going into the forest past the ropes. We are staying in the Waikaloa area. Waipio Valley Sunrise. As others said its sacred grounds so everything is closed down. We have never been to HI an you are really helping us out. Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. What are some good splurge or special occasion restaurants on the Big Island? Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). Also, both of these beaches are referred to as black sand beaches. With four days, I wouldnt devote a day to the east side. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Several of the images in this guide have been provided by Georgios Tsiminis (Instagram, Flickr). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112270925', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');the Big Island for 4 nights in April on our way to Maui. The hike wasn't bad, and we are not hikers. Itnwoukd be curious to know how many times she was there. The lookout is great for taking pictures so make sure not to forget to bring a camera. What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Pololu Valley; 2. Hikers are respectful by nature, that argument is not good enough to appropriate the whole area. Some nice stores with local art work there as well. Very humid, quite crowded as expected. Pretty similar views I suppose, you can easily check views with a quick google search or visiting pretty much any (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? For more information, please see our 2. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Halemaumau Crater. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. Before Europeans arrived, the valley was decorated with taro patches, but there's not much of that left. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. 10/10 would do again. Views are Dont post pictures please! Makes for a really good mindfulness practice. More information at the Keokea beach park website. The highway ends at the picturesque lookout for this valley. It's a magical place. Rips, sharky. I think somebody should figure out who these people are that are blocking the Awini Trail. Shares the beach area with the Prince Hapuna Beach Hotel. Facebook Pinterest Twitter Instagram Subscribe to our Newsletter, Phantom 4 Drone footage of Pololu Valley on the Big Island of Hawaii, Pro tip (for the early birds): The Pololu Lookout is a, This is a gorgeous walk with stunning views and one of our. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. This landslide is responsible for the now famous sea cliffs on the windward Kohala shoreline but also triggered a giant tsunami that left marine deposits multiple 100 ft high on the other islands (read more). 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. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. If you're up for a real adventure then find the trail near the far side of the beach and hike up to the top of the ridge between Pololu and the next valley, Honokane Nui. To this day, the memory of Waipio Valley fills me with joy and dreams of going back. 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. Mahalo! The following 2.5 minute video shows aerial footage of the cliffs, the beach and the upper valley: The Pololu lookout gives you a magnificent view over Pololu Valley and the impressive sea cliffs that slowly crumble into the ocean. 7. Quite a few picnic tables, one on top of a small hill by the shore, with a covered area. Woman in parking lot "recommended" not to hike, due to weather. 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. Thanks! There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. You can find the complete report here and read the Mayors most recent amended (09/16/2022) Waipio Valley Road Emergency Rule No. The views are amazing as you take the steep access road into the valley. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93727428', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Hilo, so you wouldnt stop by en route. Go early or near sunset (it gets quite hot with the black sand. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). As we do for most places on the Big Island we recommend to visit Pololu Valley early in the day. You can see the steep Waipio Valley access road, the black sand beach, and taro fields. Cant climb the far side anymore but it is worth sitting on the rocky beach for a while. Good idea to get the car at the King Kam hotel to eliminate the extra time needed for shuttles. Once down at the bottom, it's a nice walk parallel to the beach at Pololu (we haven't hiked down Waipio, but I think it's the same there however, there's a creek at the bottom of Waipio that could be difficult to cross if the water is high.). The drive to the Lookout is worth it in any case, for that iconic view and photos. Should I camp? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. I do not think either is advised as a good swimming place. Manageable trail for anyone reasonably fit, though it's definitely uneven and required careful footing in places. Fortunately there are enough people with this issue to sustain a lively business of Waipio Valley tours that take people down to the valley floor. Ocean sounds the whole way. Waipio and Pololu are at either end of a series of valleys . Looking back into the valley you can see the waters of Pololu stream. I would highly recommend making time to see them both if possible. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We had allotted 3 hours but could only spend 2 and could have done it all in an hour without rushing. This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. 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. She also had a sheet saying g the trail was closed tomorrow, but again no specific agency. We will be in Kona one day on a cruise, renting a car, and want to do some hiking and swimming. How do I get from the airport to my hotel? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112324513', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala mountain road- it's a beautiful windswept and sometimes rainswept drive but it's worth it. Having said that, if you can walk down at Pololu, it's a nice hike. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Right around 400 feet. From Hilo, take 19 going west until Honokaa and take Highway 240, looking for signs for Waipi'o Valley. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. We did the hike down into Pololu Valley to the black sand beach. 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. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. Need info on backpacking and wilderness camping, Resort Fees on Big Island & Other Islands, Browse all 30,517 Island of Hawaii topics . 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. The waterfalls that you can see in the final scenes are the Kaluahine Falls which you can only see on rainy days from the ocean or the valley floor. If I could only choose one, which would you recommend? Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! I have a car rented at King. Why do I need to pack warm clothes for a trip to Hawaii Island? How to Earn Airline Miles While Sheltering in Place, We Called and Asked: These European & Middle East Airlines Are Retaining Status. Great for first-time visitors. Yeah, it was, interesting I had been through the Northridge 'quake in SoCa, too, with some other lesser quakes. 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. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. more, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, Get answers to your questions about Island of Hawaii. Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! Horses roam free and waterfalls cascade from tall cliffs. Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. [deleted] 2 yr. ago Either way make sure you're respectful. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Why not to use nicknames or English translations, Trip Reports! While the falls didn't look all that tall from the ground, we were fortunate to see the falls from a helicopter. As it became a more popular destination (thanks Instagram), crowding increased, some rockfalls and . Truly a MUST do if youre on the big island. It is a gorgeous beach (I've stayed there a few times pre-earthquake). The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Overview of Waipio Valley from the opposite side. Pololu is not on the way to/from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There is a lookout point between the parking area and Waipio Valley where you can get a stunning view over most of the valley and the high sea cliffs stretching out to the west. Image credit: Eric Tessmer, source. At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. Of course, Waipi'o is the better hike. We have also gone down for a horse back ride, and I have twice hiked down, across the beach and up the other side about half way. 5. Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. POLOLU VALLEY, Hawaii Island One of the Big Island's most scenic spots is experiencing mounting pressure from tourists and locals alike as interest in nearby real estate also grows, according. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. The town of Hawi (on the way to Pololu) is good for a lunch or ice cream stop. Pololu Valley has lots of trees and beautiful vegetation growing along the trail. Pololu is amazingly breathtaking, but the hike is almost straight down. The one-lane Waipio Valley Road offers only a few spots where vehicles can inch by each other. I think we will visit Pololu Valley we stopped at those two historical markers that Chi_Dave mentioned. 1. Theres a group of local volunteers that wait up too on the parking lot to check you in and give you a run down on the history. 110% worth it!! West Side Beaches: Which ones should I visit ? For Pololu, 1 to 1.5 hours should do it, depending on how much time you want to spend walking along the beach - the path that parallels the beach is through a forest that's 'magical' here's a photo where you can see the path on the left side. We just didn't want to kill that much time and we never made it back.
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