Unfortunately it is not safe to follow the trail any further because part of the trail came down in the 2006 Kiholo Bay earthquake. 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 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. Not much of a hike, just a beautiful walk to the rocky beach (no swimming). 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Tom Hasslinger/Civil Beat/2021 "The community all recognizes, even the ones that were opposed to. 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. 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. There was no need for concern. Mud reported earlier is mostly dry. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Turn right once you reach the valley floor to get to this beautiful black sand beach. 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. ending, but rather Waipio valley. At the top you can look down on Pololu valley and a beautiful black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach ). Respecting Hawaiian place names. It is a gorgeous beach (I've stayed there a few times pre-earthquake). If you do go down to the valley floor make sure to bring your swimsuit. The shoreline along Waipio Valley and Pololu Valley can make for dangerous swimming conditions, including a dangerous shorebreak and strong current. Awini Trail. Waipio Valley is basically the one end of this Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast, with the town of Hilo being the other end! It's pretty short and very steep. The report outlines an immediate need to mitigate rockfall and address slope instability and erosion for everyones safety. We were recommended to save time for this hike by 4 different locals. Swimming in summer should be good. Need info on backpacking and wilderness camping, Resort Fees on Big Island & Other Islands, Browse all 30,517 Island of Hawaii topics . However, now I'm wondering if we should even do the horse tour if we plan on hiking to Pololu. 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. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. Pololu valley is at the northern tip and part of the oldest (of 5) volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Worth it to get to the black sand beach at the bottom though. The one-lane Waipio Valley Road offers only a few spots where vehicles can inch by each other. More information at the Keokea beach park website. And, KamaainaK, yeah maybe we'll skip these. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Pololu Valley; 2. 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. 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. 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 trail is slippery at the very top. Better to go down to the next spot at Hapuna State Park. 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.). We are staying in the Waikaloa area. Island of Hawaii Pololu Valley is one of the great coastal valleys on the north side of the Big Island. The only people who have any business in the water might be experienced surfers when surf conditions are just right. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. 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. 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. more, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii, Get answers to your questions about Island of Hawaii. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. I got the feeling that she gave the same recommendation for one reason or another just to stop people from hiking down. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. Coming from Waimea, head east on Hwy 19 until you reach Honokaa and follow the signs for Highway 240. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Looking for general advice on visiting the Island of Hawaii. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). Waipio Valley Sunrise. The valley and black sand beach at the bottom are beautiful. Just curious what your hours in port are? At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. With four days, I wouldnt devote a day to the east side. 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. 8am-6pm. The two ahupua'a Polol and Waipio offer different perspectives on the island, and each has a unique sense of grandeur and history. Interested? 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. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. Theme by 17th Avenue. Makes for a really good mindfulness practice. Pololu is a relatively easy walk down and up for the healthy, albeit with some challenging footing. Oh, so th ehike into Waipio is a serious grade and then to the beach, not sure exactly how long to allow, but its kind of a big deal hike. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. So it can be best to visit these beaches for the views only! - You want to see some great photos? As of September 19, 2022 access to the valley floor with a covered 4WD vehicle (no ATV!) This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. 10/10 would do again. Not everyone brings a 4WD car that is allowed to drive down to the valley floor or is up to the challenge of walking down themselves. The parking is just along the road because the parking lot is 10 minute parking only. The black sand beach at the valley floor looks like a beach at the end of the world. inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. Pololu Valley Lookout is at the end of Hwy 270. Great for first-time visitors. The average grade of the road is 25%, but peaks at 40%. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. The views from the lookout are better at Waipio are better; but if youre willing to walk a bit of the trail into Pololu Valley, views become just as spectacular. 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. I was looking at directions on google maps and was thinking of driving back to hotel area via Waimea. Leaning toward Waipi'o Valley, seems less crowded and just as beautiful. Look east across the beach in the distance and notice a waterfall straight from the cliff onto the rocky shore. Don't wear sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, etc. Use hiking shoes, they help. click here to go to our instagram account, Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach. 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 is not on the way to/from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I think Pololu Valley has more to offer on your way to / from it, than Waipio. I think if I only could only visit one, I would do Pololu Valley. Make a game out of it. Several of the images in this guide have been provided by Georgios Tsiminis (Instagram, Flickr). I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. Entrance is free but parking is limited to 5 spots so it's all street parking. On the steepest part, it rises 800 ft in only 0.6 miles. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. 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). 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. For wither, you get to walk along shore. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. Trail is a perfect hike. The earthquake of 2006? I do hope you hike down the trail from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. If youre into photography, one consideration would be that views from Waipio are generally west facing, whereas at Pololu, they generally face east. Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. Thanks all the advice. 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. We're staying at Fairmont Orchid. 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. 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. 3. 3. Take your time and be careful. 8am-6pm. Or, you can eat at restaurants at the hotels. The Hapuna Prince handled it well - safety was absolutely their first thing. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. 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. 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. Pololu Valley Beach Hike. 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. 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. The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! 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. Polulu Valley, where North Kohala's main artery, Hwy-270, comes to a dead end, is the last of the chain of inaccessible valleys, and for the moment is every bit as pristine as Waipio. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Steep and moments with loose rocks, but so worth it! For this reason it is both referred to at the Polol Trail and the wini trail. Waipi'o can also be hiked into, but the hike down is hard and the hike up is murder. It's a magical place. Between the two, I'd go with Pololu. 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. 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. Photo-centric trip reports of the Big Island? Coming back uphill is easier (no loose rocks). 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!!) Parking is fairly easy! The Pololu Valley Lookout gives a spectacular view over the cliffs of the Kohala volcano. Take the Puako turn off the highway and head north for the access. Theres only just a few spots in the actual parking lot but tons of parking on the side of the road leading in. As a paradise for active travelers it is rich in experiences that include nature, culinary discoveries, historic landmarks, shopping, nightlife and festivals. 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. 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. Before Europeans arrived, the valley was decorated with taro patches, but there's not much of that left. If you do swim, pay attention the the currents as they will pull you down the beach. On your drive up Highway 270, be sure to stop for a look-see in the quaint town of Hawi. 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. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! Pololu valley is one of the gulches at the tail end of gulches that were formed with the erosion of the Kohala Volcano. It's popular so there are almost always other people there. Which one would be better to do and why. Ditto the above re swimming. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. 6. We would like to visit one of the lookouts - Polol Valley Lookout or Waipio Valley Lookout. 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. Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, 2270 Kalakaua Avenue, Suite 801 , Honolulu, HI, 96815, Phone: 800-GOHAWAII, Fax: 808-924-0290, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. I don't think the difference is time are much. - Links to TR's from 2010 to present. Walking down into the valley is not easy, but listen to the park keepers advice and youll be rewarded by an amazing tropical landscape. 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. At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. Just curious what your hours in port are? You can make this a part of your scenic drive around the Big Island! I would highly recommend making time to see them both if possible. One of the best hikes my husband and I did while on the big Island. In Pololu Valley, a lush tropical forest surrounds 500-foot-high cliffs and fronts, an ocean that often has high surf and rough waves. I checked the map, packed my backpack, and off I went early in the morning. Visiting the Waipi'o Lookout is must for me every trip. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 83 reviews of Pololu Valley Lookout "PLEASE READ! All the things Chi-Dave mentioned are great, and Hawi town is a great stop. 7. You can see the road and some houses and agricultural activity on the valley floor. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! 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!!) Woman in parking lot "recommended" not to hike, due to weather. (driving directions using google maps). 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. The trail climbs the eastern ridge of Pololu through a series of muddy and often slippery switchbacks and leads to a wooden bench that overlooks the Honokane Nui Valley and part of the Honokane Iki Valley. Pololu has more rocks on the shoreline and not a place I would swim. Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. 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