It is nearby the lookout and has a wonderful selection of treats and drinks, with wonderful views and lots of tables. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! 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. I think those days are past me now, though the last time I did it I was 70. 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. 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. Trail is a perfect hike. Ocean sounds the whole way. While it may seem crowded with (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Where can I find good live Hawaiian or local music and/or hula? inform and educate visitors as they arrive, as well as monitor the trail and beach. Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. Which one would be better to do and why. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. We were incredibly disappointed. Limited parking at the top but it doesnt seem like many people go there. I checked the map, packed my backpack, and off I went early in the morning. Image adapted from source (by Eric Tessmer). And trip up was much easier than this grandma expected. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. If you do swim, pay attention the the currents as they will pull you down the beach. Enjoy this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaau, Hawaii. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. How can I visit Mauna Kea summit and/or the Visitor Information Station? more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Privacy Policy. At the top you can look down on Pololu valley and a beautiful black sand beach ( Pololu Valley Beach ). Are both valleys pretty similiar? and is the oldest of 5 volcanoes that make up the Big Island. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. ending, but rather Waipio valley. I think we will visit Pololu Valley we stopped at those two historical markers that Chi_Dave mentioned. I and a lot of others on this fourm have a ton of bad experiences with bad folks down there.. No (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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. Why do I need to pack warm clothes for a trip to Hawaii Island? Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! Island of Hawaii Hi'ilawe Falls Hi'ilawe Falls Best boogie boarding, body surfing beaches. If you have any other suggestions don't be afraid to give them. Wai'pio Valley vs. Pololu Valley - Island of Hawaii Message Board - Tripadvisor Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! If you are only going to the Lookout, I think the WOW factor of Waipi'o is off the charts. The average grade of the road is 25%, but peaks at 40%. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. 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. Truly a MUST do if youre on the big island. The earthquake of 2006? 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. 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. 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. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. 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 path washes away, so you have to do it on a dry day, and when you get down, its a bit anticlimactic. 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. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). 6. 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!!) We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. 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. Beautiful spot to meditate if you go early (8 am) to avoid crowds. I'll stop in Hawi for Tropical Dreams ice creamyummy:), Probably still worth trying to get one of the spots at Mauna Kea - people come and go all day, so a spot just might be available, or if you get there early enough, it might not be filled yet gorgeous beach, and Hapuna is now charging $5. Waipi'o can also be hiked into, but the hike down is hard and the hike up is murder. Short but steep. Mgventures - thanks for the input in regards to the directions. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. . I will check out those historical markers that you mentioned. Altitude sickness, taking kids, risks when visiting Mauna Kea summit. Look for whales offshore in the winter. If you want a different perspective on your way back, instead of going back along the coast, go up over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? The vistas are different because of the distinct shapes of the valleys. 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. There are stunning views of the coast. If I LOVE the Mauna Lani, where would we stay on Maui? Pretty similar views I suppose, you can easily check views with a quick google search or visiting pretty much any (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? I would recommend it. These stones can make it uncomfortable to walk into the water so if you do want to take a swim try to bring shoes that can get wet. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. 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. Thanks all the advice. Image credit: hawaiivolcanovacations. Powered by Invision Community. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. Locals and tourists alike were free to drive or walk the road (although it was marked as a 4x4 only road). Between the two, I'd go with Pololu. The trail gets slick when it has rained, but is not terribly difficult. Dont let AllTrails fool you, its actually closer to a 900 foot elevation gain! The land discovered at the end of the movie by the survivors (spoiler alert!) 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. 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. 3. Dont worry, there is plenty of time on the beach to take a breather! Respecting Hawaiian place names. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112302825', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pololu Valley Lookout. Beautiful view at the end and cool rocky beach! [deleted] 2 yr. ago Either way make sure you're respectful. 5. 7. 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. The shoreline along Waipio Valley and Pololu Valley can make for dangerous swimming conditions, including a dangerous shorebreak and strong current. 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. We did both last week. Really good bodysurfing 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. Don't wear sandals, Crocs, flip-flops, Birkenstocks, etc. While the falls didn't look all that tall from the ground, we were fortunate to see the falls from a helicopter. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. Several of the images in this guide have been provided by Georgios Tsiminis (Instagram, Flickr). Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! Pololu is a relatively easy walk down and up for the healthy, albeit with some challenging footing. The one-lane Waipio Valley Road offers only a few spots where vehicles can inch by each other. That seems right to me. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. Woman in parking lot "recommended" not to hike, due to weather. We walked past all different age groups and everyone was doing just fine Its a quick hike down - 10 ish minutes and coming back up was a solid 20 ish minutes. Great views. Maybe I'm incorrect in my assumptions. Where can I camp (tent or camper) and what are the rules? Ditto the above re swimming. I'll stop in Hawi for Tropical Dreams ice creamyummy:), Probably still worth trying to get one of the spots at Mauna Kea - people come and go all day, so a spot just might be available, or if you get there early enough, it might not be filled yet gorgeous beach, and Hapuna is now charging $5. The lookout is great for taking pictures so make sure not to forget to bring a camera. It's popular so there are almost always other people there. Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. Afternoon trip was good, with shade on the way back up. 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. Great trail! The valley meets the ocean towards the north with a beautiful black sand beach that is cut in two by the river. Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Snorkeling & diving on the Big Island - Kona Coast & Kohala Coast options. The only people who have any business in the water might be experienced surfers when surf conditions are just right. Waipio is the southeastern most of the Hamakua coasts dramatic stream valleys. I was looking at directions on google maps and was thinking of driving back to hotel area via Waimea. Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Hapuna Beach to Mauna Kea Beach, Puukohol Heiau National Historical Site Trail, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail: Mauna Kea Beach to Hapuna Beach, Kalahuipua'a Historic Park and Fishponds Loop, Muliwai and Waimanu Valley Trail [CLOSED]. Rips, sharky. Remnants from this landslide can still be found under water 81 miles (130 km) from the current coastline. 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. Turn right once you reach the valley floor to get to this beautiful black sand beach. Look east across the beach in the distance and notice a waterfall straight from the cliff onto the rocky shore. 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. Contribute to the local initiative by signing the Save Polulu petition at Change.org. You can also find bathrooms, a picnic area and historic information at the overlook. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. 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. Also consider visiting lovely Waialea Bay (small admission charge for Hapuna State Park). 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. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Its steep but not overly strenuous and you will be rewarded with lovely vistas. Or, you can eat at restaurants at the hotels. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. kam hotel and want to go to Pololu, the farthest point than work our way back stopping at places that interest us, hopefully beach. Waipio will give you a much better workout on the hike back up. The black sand beach is a great place for a quick dip. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Hawaii with Kids? After visiting the lookout, stop at Fresh Off The Grid food truck for a yummy snack or meal. The drive to the Lookout is worth it in any case, for that iconic view and photos. Pololu Valley to Honokane Iki Valley. Sign up for our free monthly updates (more info) about everything that is new and happening in Hawaii. 1. There are no oceanfront resorts. On your way through Hawi if it's lunch time or close try Bamboo- i love the ambience,, and their fish is good. You can find a more concise description of this hike at the bigislandhikes website. Very steep and is not for people who have a hard time climbing stairs. That must have been quite the experience! I would highly recommend making time to see them both if possible. Waipio Valley Sunrise. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. The reason Im giving this such a low rating is because you literally can not do anything but walk up and down the hill. The road down to Waipio valley is one of the steepest roads on the island and quite a ride! I thought it was more so on w/e's. Not to say Waipio isn't great because it is, but there's something truly special about Pololu and feels more secluded with no cars down there Alarmed-Marketing616 2 yr. ago Loved it.very tranquil when I was there this morningthank you for the advice! Honokne Iki. They are not trail guides and I wonder on who's authority they act, if any. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. Pololu Valley Lookout. north to south or vice versa. 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. Polol valley is the most northern of the impressive valleys that are carved into the Kohala volcano at the lush green pastures of the Kohala region on the Big Island. After a few minutes you will reach a black-sand beach. Directions from Puako: Take Highway 270 to the end at Pololu Lookout in North Kohala. Beautiful short hike to the shore, great views on the way down. Id do a North Kohala excursion, which is far more convenient to where youre staying. 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. This beach is known for its rip currents and high surf, making it a dangerous place to go swimming especially during the winter months. 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. In Pololu Valley, a lush tropical forest surrounds 500-foot-high cliffs and fronts, an ocean that often has high surf and rough waves. There also are some pretty cool things to do close to Pololu valley to make your visit into a small road trip. Subscribe to receive 5 emails in 5 days: Call us for advice! Keokea Beach Park is a short drive off the highway, past the towns of Hawi and Kapaau (both towns worth a stop to window shop or grab a snack). What are some good splurge or special occasion restaurants on the Big Island? Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. My husband and I will be staying on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Sometimes you will encounter horses on the road. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! There are people living in Waipio Valley. Re: Pololu Valley vs Waipi'o Valley 4 years ago Save Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos. It can get especially hot and sweaty during the hike up! 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. Turbulent surf crashing on the black sands of the valley's rocky beach and shoreline. Icelands South Coast: How to Get From Vik to Skaftafell [+ Best Ring Road Trip Stops], Whale Watching in Husavik: The Ultimate Guide+ Tour Review, Diamond Circle Iceland Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide + Map. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-1665103', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');rental car firms will allow you to drive even their 4x4.s into the valley.. Take heed take a tour for your safety. 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. 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. 8am-6pm. 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. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. 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. Go slow going down. You can extend the hike by going up to the next overlook, too. 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. You absolutely work for it on the way back up but even then its still very doable. How long of a stay at Pololu do you think is adequate. click here to go to our instagram account, Polol Valley: the Lookout, the Hike, and the Black Sand Beach. 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. Pololu Valley A much easier day hike awaits in the North Kohala district, at the end of a paved highway winding past Hawi. 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. Waipio Valley is a part of the Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast. 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. Awesome. This spot is lesser known than the Waipio Valley, but is certainly worth the effort to get to. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). She didn't seem to work for any authority. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. Kahaluu closed for coral spawning May 5 thru 12 2023. I got the feeling that she gave the same recommendation for one reason or another just to stop people from hiking down. 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. 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. When you backtrack on Hwy 270 from Pololu, you can take Hwy 250 (from Hawi) which is a very interesting drive, you ascend up to 3,600 feet so you get great views of the coast and island, gives you a real feel for its size. I think if I only could only visit one, I would do Pololu Valley. Makes for a really good mindfulness practice. The Waipio Valley Road is a 25% grade paved road that descends 900 feet in only one mile. Should I camp? 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. The Hapuna Prince handled it well - safety was absolutely their first thing. Lots of roots and rocks, not too steep. 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. Where can I can find a good church service with some local flavor? You can find information on the following topics in our guide: Did you know that the 1995 blockbuster movie Waterworld has a very Hawaiian twist? Pololu Valley Lookout is at the end of Hwy 270. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. It's pretty short and very steep. The black sand beach at Pololu Valley can be rocky if a storm has washed away the black sand. 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. Powered by Invision Community. Right around 400 feet. Steep and moments with loose rocks, but so worth it! 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. Thanks all the advice. Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. Waipio Valley Directions and Map Taking Highways 19 and 240 will get you there. Which one would be better to do and why. Dont venture too far inland to avoid trespassing and disturbing sites that shouldnt be disturbed. 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.