We don't mind hikes and would like to swim at the beach. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. was not the summit of mount Everest as shown in this (alternative?) Contribute to the local initiative by signing the Save Polulu petition at Change.org. 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. Honopue. I've been reading this forum for months and it has been extremely helpful. Announcing Our 2023 Cruisers' Choice Award Winners! But, which do you all prefer? This magnificent wild valley is at the head of the Kohala Coast, the oldest part of the island with deep valleys and picturesque beaches. The hike wasn't bad, and we are not hikers. And trip up was much easier than this grandma expected. I included a couple of beaches on the route (Hapuna and Waialea) that would be worth checking out on the Kohala Coast. I think those days are past me now, though the last time I did it I was 70. Sustainable Travel guide and itineraries for the Big Island of Hawaii. Please treatt hem with aloha and follow their directions. We will be in Kona one day on a cruise, renting a car, and want to do some hiking and swimming. This is one of my favorite hikes on the big island. Beautiful views! The parking is just along the road because the parking lot is 10 minute parking only. 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. The Mauna Kea had some major damage, so they brought over some guests from there for the rest of their stays. Privacy Policy. Should I camp? The two ahupua'a Polol and Waipio offer different perspectives on the island, and each has a unique sense of grandeur and history. Meaning 'long spear' in Hawaiian, the Pololu Valley was formed by millennia of slow erosion, wind, and rain. Really good bodysurfing here. As you drive north on Highway 270 where the black lava landscapes of the Kohala Coast give way to the flourishing, green pastures of North Kohala, you'll be rewarded at the end of your journey with an unforgettable view from the Polol Valley Overlook. And, of course, Waipio is graced by waterfalls, while Polol is not. Views are Dont post pictures please! Good to know: there are no public restrooms at the lookout or down in the valley. Most just get out and take in the view, so if it's full wait a few minutes and a spot will open up. We're staying at Fairmont Orchid. Wear good hiking shoes as the trail is very Rocky down and can be slippery especially after rain. The wave-pounded, offshore Paoakalani islets and, beyond them, the Hamakua Coast's most remote sea cliffs. Just curious what your hours in port are? 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). Waipio Valley is a part of the Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast. We did the hike down into Pololu Valley to the black sand beach. 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. 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. Waipio Valley is basically the one end of this Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast, with the town of Hilo being the other end! I am thankful that this sacred place of the Hawaiian ancestors is being shared with visitors. 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. Well worth it! Turn right once you reach the valley floor to get to this beautiful black sand beach. The report outlines an immediate need to mitigate rockfall and address slope instability and erosion for everyones safety. The ocean at Pololu valley is not a safe place to go swimming. Waipio valley was his favorite stop on the Big Island, and Georgios has kindly provided us with his impressions of the trip into the valley to read for whomever is interested in doing the same. Polol Valley Lookout. Lush green forests covering every hillside and a beckoning black beach made for a timeless landscape. Hiking shoes encouraged, but not impossible in tennis shoes. There were cows at the bottom which was awesome to see. Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. Overview of Waipio Valley from the opposite side. Waimanu Valley. After visiting the lookout, stop at Fresh Off The Grid food truck for a yummy snack or meal. The vertical distance from the overlook point down to the valley floor is 490ft (150m). Not at all. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). What are the issues about swimming with dolphins? Pololu is a relatively easy walk down and up for the healthy, albeit with some challenging footing. Leaning toward Waipi'o Valley, seems less crowded and just as beautiful. We just didn't want to kill that much time and we never made it back. 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. From the valley floor it is a short and easy stretch to the beach. As of September 19, 2022 access to the valley floor with a covered 4WD vehicle (no ATV!) But without knowing your vision of a short visit to this huge island, its hard to advise. Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. I have a car rented at King. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Answer 1 of 2: We are traveling to the BI next week - very excited! There are stunning views of the coast. 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. It is possible you will encounter people from the Pololu Valley Steward Program at the lookout. How long of a stay at Pololu do you think is adequate. Which Island do you recommend? I will just add that Waipio does have more of a sandy beach if you want to hang out for a while. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! The land discovered at the end of the movie by the survivors (spoiler alert!) 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. 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. 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. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. What to do the day of a red eye flight out. 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. The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. As others said its sacred grounds so everything is closed down. The average grade of the road is 25%, but peaks at 40%. Towards the back the valley splits into many 'fingers', each one with its own waterfall. 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 valley and black sand beach at the bottom are beautiful. Where can I can find a good church service with some local flavor? Great trail! 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. My husband and I will be staying on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You can extend the hike by going up to the next overlook, too. 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. 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. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. No matter what else you do, go to the valley!. Where to stay on the west side; Kona districts vs. Kohala districts. 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). You used to be able to hike further, but now that's closed so you can only hike to the beach. - Links to TR's from 2010 to present. To get here, take Hwy 270 to Mile Marker 28. In Pololu Valley, a lush tropical forest surrounds 500-foot-high cliffs and fronts, an ocean that often has high surf and rough waves. Very humid, quite crowded as expected. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. 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! Turbulent surf crashing on the black sands of the valley's rocky beach and shoreline. 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!!) If you do swim, pay attention the the currents as they will pull you down the beach. At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. Free cancellation: up to 24 to 72 hours before tour. You can make this a part of your scenic drive around the Big Island! 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. 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. The Kohala Volcano last erupted about 120.000 years ago (!) Take the Puako turn off the highway and head north for the access. 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. We like to hike so we plan on hiking Pololu, and were going to take a horse tour into Wai'pio. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-112302825', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Pololu Valley Lookout. Hwy 250 ends close to Waimea, intersecting with Hwy 19. chi_dave - Thank you for the detailed reply! Trail is a perfect hike. 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. . Entrance is free but parking is limited to 5 spots so it's all street parking. 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. Mahalo! If you want a different perspective on your way back, instead of going back along the coast, go up over (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 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 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. 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. I think if I only could only visit one, I would do Pololu Valley. Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. Which one? In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. 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. Ive driven down Waipio a few times but not sure the reward at the end is worth the walk down and then back up unless you plan on staying for a while. The Hapuna Prince handled it well - safety was absolutely their first thing. 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. These horses are among other things used for the guided horseback tours in the valley. Emerald, foliage-filled cliffs, cradling Pololu's valley floor and its winding, freshwater stream. Where can I camp (tent or camper) and what are the rules? There is a bench at the end of the trail overlooking the Honokane Nui Valley. Its a 90 minute adventure if you hang out for a while in the valley. p.s. 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. The trail, sometimes referred to as Awini Trail, that leads down to the black sand beach (Pololu Valley Beach) takes approximately half an hour to hike. Makes for a really good mindfulness practice. 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. 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. We took a few contented sighs before slowly getting up for the final . 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 trail down to the valley floor offers great views into Pololu Valley. You can follow this trail over the valley floor and up the other side to the next valley: Honokane Nui. Good idea to get the car at the King Kam hotel to eliminate the extra time needed for shuttles. Beautiful hike!!! Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. However, now I'm wondering if we should even do the horse tour if we plan on hiking to Pololu. 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? Parking is fairly easy! Pololu Valley Lookout is at the end of Hwy 270. 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. 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!!) 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. We were incredibly disappointed. 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. While the falls didn't look all that tall from the ground, we were fortunate to see the falls from a helicopter. We have never been to HI an you are really helping us out. 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. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. Caution, as high surf, undertow, and rip tides occur in the ocean here. This is a good spot for a picnic and a shower after hiking down into Pololu valley. In a 30-minute call we help you set up the trip of your dreams. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Beautiful trail. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. Remnants from this landslide can still be found under water 81 miles (130 km) from the current coastline. 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. We spent the last day on the Big Island valley hopping and checking out a remote cabin on a private beach. The Kaluahine falls are visible towards to east from the black sand beach on the bottom of Waipio valley. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. 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. I hear Waipio may be closed to non-residents, so a moot point. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. The trip down the road should never be attempted in a normal car, only four-wheel drive is allowed. Waipio is longer and harder but on a road. She didn't seem to work for any authority. Amazing views of ocean, valley, lake, and cliffs. 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). Right around 400 feet. Hi'ilawe Falls Hi'ilawe Falls 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. Waipi'o Valley Hiking down gave me a little concern for the return trip. After a few minutes you will reach a black-sand beach. Best boogie boarding, body surfing beaches. 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. Not only will you beat most of the crowds but you will also benefit from more pleasant temperatures. By logging into your account, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, and the use of cookies as described therein. How do I get from the airport to my hotel? 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. for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). The Waipio Valley Road is a 25% grade paved road that descends 900 feet in only one mile. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. Its an incredibly sacred place so you always want to be sure that youre respectful of what theyre asking (dont cross the lake at the bottom, leave certain plants alone, etc). 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! Bring enough water with you and keep in mind that there are no restroom facilities in the valley or at the lookout. 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. Towards the back the valley splits into many fingers, each one with its own waterfall. Worth it to get to the black sand beach at the bottom though. The hike down is scenic and easy because it is 0.5 mile downhill; however, remember you still have to come back up the same way so conserve your water. There are people living in Waipio Valley. 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. That is an option not available at Pololu. Couldn't cook in the restaurant kitchens, so they set up BBQs outside and they cooked/baked/roasted whatever they could. Hilo to Waipio Valley is about a 1 hour drive, maybe just a little bit more. I have a car rented at King. I do not think either is advised as a good swimming place. Waipio and Pololu are at either end of a series of valleys .
Richard Petty Motorsports Sold, 1908 Dime Error, React Bootstrap Alert Not Working, Articles P