Level Contributor 1,672 posts Which one would be better to do and why. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Very steep and is not for people who have a hard time climbing stairs. On your drive up Highway 270, be sure to stop for a look-see in the quaint town of Hawi. There people are often volunteering their time to give visitors information about visiting the valley and the make sure parking only happens in allowed spaces. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. 4. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. So it can be best to visit these beaches for the views only! 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. With only four days, you could skip both of them, especially as the swimming is so dangerous. Walking down into the valley is not easy, but listen to the park keepers advice and youll be rewarded by an amazing tropical landscape. 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. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Mgventures - thanks for the input in regards to the directions. What are some quality cultural and educational activities on the Big Island? 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.). If Pololu then you could make a day of it by early breakfast in Waimea, then up and over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? From the valley floor it is a short and easy stretch to the beach. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. will be possible again for Big Island residents, county-permitted tour company operators and those seeking to practice their Native Hawaiian traditional or customary rights. 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. Truly a MUST do if youre on the big island. 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. Trail is slippery when wet and is rocky or packed clay. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Re: Pololu Valley vs Waipi'o Valley 4 years ago Save Waiulili Falls That was when we realized just how tall this waterfall really was. It's a very well maintained trail and the views at every point are just beautiful. Really good bodysurfing here. I do hope you hike down the trail from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? [deleted] 2 yr. ago Either way make sure you're respectful. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? Parking is fairly easy! avoided the pig droppings again on the trail and loped into Pololu Valley as dusk started to cast its glow on the forest. p.s. Short and fairly steep trail with beautiful views and a black sand and stone beach at the bottom. Please stay on the public road when hiking in Waipio valley. But without knowing your vision of a short visit to this huge island, its hard to advise. The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! 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. From scenic overlook, hike down steep rocky trail to beautiful black sand and rocky beach with views of the Hamakua coast. You absolutely work for it on the way back up but even then its still very doable. Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. More information at the Keokea beach park website. In Pololu Valley, a lush tropical forest surrounds 500-foot-high cliffs and fronts, an ocean that often has high surf and rough waves. 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 had allotted 3 hours but could only spend 2 and could have done it all in an hour without rushing. Meaning 'long spear' in Hawaiian, the Pololu Valley was formed by millennia of slow erosion, wind, and rain. How do I get from the airport to my hotel? By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. 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. 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. The drive to the Lookout is worth it in any case, for that iconic view and photos. She also had a sheet saying g the trail was closed tomorrow, but again no specific agency. Report inappropriate content Lauren D Los Angeles. 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!!) 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. I thought it was more so on w/e's. The only people who have any business in the water might be experienced surfers when surf conditions are just right. Thanks! I do not think either is advised as a good swimming place. On the way to Pololu, you can visit Lapakahi State Historical Park and the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. The water that carved out these valleys is also the reason why these valleys were a popular place to live for the native Hawaiians: a constant supply of water is essential to grow culturally significant crops such as Taro. The black sand beach fronting the valley stretches for 900 yards and makes for an enjoyable stroll. After visiting the lookout, stop at Fresh Off The Grid food truck for a yummy snack or meal. 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. 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. If I could only choose one, which would you recommend? You can also find bathrooms, a picnic area and historic information at the overlook. Also, both of these beaches are referred to as black sand beaches. 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. I am thankful that this sacred place of the Hawaiian ancestors is being shared with visitors. These hikes, however, are not easy. Hilo to Waipio Valley is about a 1 hour drive, maybe just a little bit more. This is a sublime sacred spot for Hawaiians and visitors alike. As you approach the Pololu Valley Lookout, you'll start to see the grand ocean views even as you're driving. 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!!) Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. lovebigisland.com, gohawaii.com, bigislandguide.com, and so on). 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. This magnificent wild valley is at the head of the Kohala Coast, the oldest part of the island with deep valleys and picturesque beaches. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. At the top you can look down on Pololu valley and a beautiful black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach ). 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. Ditto the above re swimming. We spent the last day on the Big Island valley hopping and checking out a remote cabin on a private beach. As it became a more popular destination (thanks Instagram), crowding increased, some rockfalls and . Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. I will just add that Waipio does have more of a sandy beach if you want to hang out for a while. The dirt . Pololu Valley Trail, from the lookout down to the valley takes less than 30 mins to walk. Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. You can see this now as a series of 7 valleys (a valley has a flood plane at the valley floor) of which Polol Valley is the most northern one. Mud reported earlier is mostly dry. The fear of tsunami, which led the Hawaiians to abandon these once densely populated valleys, is probably their best defense against the rapacity of the developers. 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. Coming from Waimea, head east on Hwy 19 until you reach Honokaa and follow the signs for Highway 240. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112271019', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Big Island tourist site (e.g. Why not to use nicknames or English translations, Trip Reports! You used to be able to hike further, but now that's closed so you can only hike to the beach. Awesome ocean views all the way down to the beach. I think Pololu Valley has more to offer on your way to / from it, than Waipio. 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. Or, you can eat at restaurants at the hotels. Where can I can find a good church service with some local flavor? 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. One of the best hikes my husband and I did while on the big Island. - You want to see some great photos? Just curious what your hours in port are? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. Image adapted from source (by Eric Tessmer). 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.

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