It's a very well maintained trail and the views at every point are just beautiful. You had to wait until he "unticked" and would allow a car to take that "tick" You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 8-6 is a good length of time you would be able to get back to Kailua Kona with a comfortable amount of time to spare, and if you have an extra hour there, you can wander around the area near the port. Polol Valley Lookout. Shares the beach area with the Prince Hapuna Beach Hotel. more, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, Get answers to your questions about Island of Hawaii. p.s. On your drive up Highway 270, be sure to stop for a look-see in the quaint town of Hawi. Not much of a hike, just a beautiful walk to the rocky beach (no swimming). I will check out those historical markers that you mentioned. That is an option not available at Pololu. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. Very steep and is not for people who have a hard time climbing stairs. For wither, you get to walk along shore. The two ahupua'a Polol and Waipio offer different perspectives on the island, and each has a unique sense of grandeur and history. At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. It's pretty short and very steep. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Your email address will not be published. Where to stay on the west side; Kona districts vs. Kohala districts. The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! Visiting the Waipi'o Lookout is must for me every trip. Powered by Invision Community. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. Pololu Valley A much easier day hike awaits in the North Kohala district, at the end of a paved highway winding past Hawi. Having said that, if you can walk down at Pololu, it's a nice hike. Alternatively, you may use, Island of Hawaii Hotels and Places to Stay, Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho`omaluhia. Cookie Notice We had allotted 3 hours but could only spend 2 and could have done it all in an hour without rushing. There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. From Pololu valley on these valleys stretch towards the south-east in an impressive display that you can partly see from the Pololu lookout point. kam hotel and want to go to Pololu, the farthest point than work our way back stopping at places that interest us, hopefully beach. Because the valley is at the end of the road you will pass a few cool places and things to do that make it easy to make visiting Pololu valley part of a half or whole day road trip. That must have been quite the experience! It is nearby the lookout and has a wonderful selection of treats and drinks, with wonderful views and lots of tables. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The views are incredible. Be aware though that the ocean currents can be strong so do not go into the water too deep. Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! Very humid, quite crowded as expected. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. 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. Itnwoukd be curious to know how many times she was there. avoided the pig droppings again on the trail and loped into Pololu Valley as dusk started to cast its glow on the forest. Emerald, foliage-filled cliffs, cradling Pololu's valley floor and its winding, freshwater stream. As others said its sacred grounds so everything is closed down. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. As of September 19, 2022 access to the valley floor with a covered 4WD vehicle (no ATV!) 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. The vistas are different because of the distinct shapes of the valleys. The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. 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. Caution, as high surf, undertow, and rip tides occur in the ocean here. 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. Awini Trail. The trail itself offers breathtaking views of the cliffs, the valley and the black sand beach on the valley floor. 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). We did both last week. While the falls didn't look all that tall from the ground, we were fortunate to see the falls from a helicopter. Any thoughts/suggestions on whether we should skip Wai'pio (but we plan to go to the lookout) or not? Pololu Valley Beach Hike. During its long lifetime, erosion by rainwater has cut multiple deep gulches, gorges and valley in the flanks of the windward side of the Kohala volcano. Turn right once you reach the valley floor to get to this beautiful black sand beach. If you feel like stretching your legs you can try either of the following two hikes: You can see these waterfalls already from the access road down into the valley but the best view can be gotten from the Muliwai trail described above as hike #2. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. We went to the big island during our honeymoon. here's an even better photo (a 360 degree panorama) of the trail at Pololu beach. Where can I can find a good church service with some local flavor? Start out early at Pololu because parking is scarce there. Please have a chat with them when you arrive to learn more about the area and treat them kindly. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. In part though it depends where you are starting your trip from. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-93728737', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Kohala loop very much, but it would need its own half day to do it right. 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. 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. The town of Hawi (on the way to Pololu) is good for a lunch or ice cream stop. Horses roam free and waterfalls cascade from tall cliffs. If I LOVE the Mauna Lani, where would we stay on Maui? We will be in Kona one day on a cruise, renting a car, and want to do some hiking and swimming. click here to go to our instagram account, Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach. Dont waste your time on this one, the view is gorgeous but I would never classify this as a hike its simply a walk down a hill to a beach youre not allowed to touch anything on.. skip it and go somewhere else for the day. We don't mind hikes and would like to swim at the beach. Quan forgot her jacket upon checking out of Waimea Country Lodge. Best boogie boarding, body surfing beaches. I thought it was more so on w/e's. 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. Truly a MUST do if youre on the big island. For wither, you get to walk along shore. To this day, the memory of Waipio Valley fills me with joy and dreams of going back. Should I camp? It's a magical place. The valley meets the ocean towards the north with a beautiful black sand beach that is cut in two by the river. Liliuokalani Gardens. You can stick around for 10 minutes to snap a few pictures of the breathtaking coastline and take in the scenery but the real attraction at Pololu is the short but steep hike down into the valley and the black sand beach at the valley floor. We are experienced and had shoes with good grip and had no problems. I marked that down as a place we will have to stop. Views are Dont post pictures please! Go early or near sunset (it gets quite hot with the black sand. We were recommended to save time for this hike by 4 different locals. Parking is fairly easy! Trail is a perfect hike. 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. . ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112302825', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pololu Valley Lookout. What is good reef etiquette? Some, if not all, car rental companies here on the Big Island explicitly mention in the rental agreement that it is not permitted to drive your rental car down into Waipio valley. As a first-time visitor to the Big Island I didnt know what to do so I got some local knowledge on where I could go to make memories. How can I visit Mauna Kea summit and/or the Visitor Information Station? This beach is known for its rip currents and high surf, making it a dangerous place to go swimming especially during the winter months. This is one of my favorite hikes on the big island. Mahalo! Hawaii Volcanoes National Park near Halemaumau Crater. Great for first-time visitors. The land discovered at the end of the movie by the survivors (spoiler alert!) Which Island do you recommend? Swimming in summer should be good. 4. There are several levels of visiting Pololu valley. After visiting the lookout, stop at Fresh Off The Grid food truck for a yummy snack or meal. Absolutely stunning scenery, gorgeous the whole way down. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Pololu Valley; 2. I've stayed at both hotels, both good beaches. 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 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. Beautiful beach. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. Or, you can eat at restaurants at the hotels. Don't wear sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, etc. So it can be best to visit these beaches for the views only! - You want to see some great photos? Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! The highway ends at the picturesque lookout for this valley. Waipio and Pololu are at either end of a series of valleys Waipio overlook has more 'wow factor' for the view, but Pololu has some great views as well. Ditto the above re swimming. 110% worth it!! Yeah, it was, interesting I had been through the Northridge 'quake in SoCa, too, with some other lesser quakes. 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. 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. From Hilo, take 19 going west until Honokaa and take Highway 240, looking for signs for Waipi'o Valley. Cant climb the far side anymore but it is worth sitting on the rocky beach for a while. 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. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Several of the images in this guide have been provided by Georgios Tsiminis (Instagram, Flickr). Pololu Valley is a solid 1.5 hours from Kona, maybe more depending on where on the Kona coast you're staying. Awesome ocean views all the way down to the beach. Just curious what your hours in port are? 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. More information at the Keokea beach park website. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Yeah, it was, interesting I had been through the Northridge 'quake in SoCa, too, with some other lesser quakes. 8am-6pm. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. There is limited parking space available at the lookout point with minimal space to turn around so it is possible you need to turn around and park your car on the shoulder of the road and then walk back a few minutes to the valley entrance. 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.). Steep and short but worth it! You will lose sight of the waterfalls but fear not and persist, for standing next to Kaluahine Falls is an experience somewhere between calm ecstasy and utter relaxation. 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. 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. It is a gorgeous beach (I've stayed there a few times pre-earthquake). You can also find bathrooms, a picnic area and historic information at the overlook. ending, but rather Waipio valley. Limited parking at the top but it doesnt seem like many people go there. However, as a visitor your options are somewhat limited. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! The hike wasn't bad, and we are not hikers. 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). We're staying at Fairmont Orchid. 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. The Mauna Kea had some major damage, so they brought over some guests from there for the rest of their stays. Polol Valley is another one of the seven valleys along Kohala volcano that's been sculpted by thousands of years of erosion. This is a sublime sacred spot for Hawaiians and visitors alike. This valley is one of the most beautiful and secluded places to go to for a hike on the Big Island. I was looking at directions on google maps and was thinking of driving back to hotel area via Waimea. Behind the beach you can find large dunes and ironwood trees that protect the valley from floodwaters. I also like the North (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? There was no need for concern. 10/10 would do again. 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. Waipio and Pololu are at either end of a series of valleys Waipio overlook has more 'wow factor' for the view, but Pololu has some great views as well. kam hotel and want to go to Pololu, the farthest point than work our way back stopping at places that interest us, hopefully beach. 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. Honoke'a. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! 8-6 is a good length of time you would be able to get back to Kailua Kona with a comfortable amount of time to spare, and if you have an extra hour there, you can wander around the area near the port. 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). Image credit: hawaiivolcanovacations. If you are driving to points west from Hilo, then swinging by Waipio makes sense. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. 2. 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. Rips, sharky. You can see the steep Waipio Valley access road, the black sand beach, and taro fields. Keokea Beach Park is a great place for a picnic lunch (bring it in yourself, nothing for sale there)scenic boulder beach (not good for swimming) though locals often surf there. Aerial overview of Waipio Valley. Well worth it! What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. Get our brand-new trip planning series delivered directly to your inbox - for FREE (more info). I absolutely love the drive through Hawi & Kapaa. The one-lane Waipio Valley Road offers only a few spots where vehicles can inch by each other. Waipi'o (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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. 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. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. 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. As we do for most places on the Big Island we recommend to visit Pololu Valley early in the day. 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. 7. Great trail! Waiulili Falls is the second of the ocean-bound waterfalls accessible via the sacred Waipi'o Valley (the other being Kaluahine Falls). If you like exercise you also opt for a hike to the next valley. 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. But, which do you all prefer? It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! Waimanu Valley. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). Definitely Pololu, and definitely hike down to the beach, its beautiful from above but awesome when your down at sea level. Entrance is free but parking is limited to 5 spots so it's all street parking. I think somebody should figure out who these people are that are blocking the Awini Trail. Pololu Valley Lookout. 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. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! Worth it to get to the black sand beach at the bottom though. Waipio is a short side trip along the Hamakua Coast, so that can work, if youre only going to the overlook. 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. The shoreline along Waipio Valley and Pololu Valley can make for dangerous swimming conditions, including a dangerous shorebreak and strong current. She also had a sheet saying g the trail was closed tomorrow, but again no specific agency. Really good bodysurfing here. Why not to use nicknames or English translations, Trip Reports! I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. I do not think either is advised as a good swimming place. We were incredibly disappointed. Between 250.000 and 300.000 years ago the Kohala volcano experienced a truly massive landslide in which a part of the volcano fell into the ocean.