I don't think the difference is time are much. Also, both of these beaches are referred to as black sand beaches. 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. 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 itself is a very steep hill like others have said, its very wet and slippery so can be a challenge to go down and up again unless youre in good shape. It was raining the day we hiked. Pololu Valley is located in north Kohala on the eastern slope of the extinct Kohala volcano at the northernmost point of the Big Island. 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. Absolutely stunning scenery, gorgeous the whole way down. On your way through Hawi if it's lunch time or close try Bamboo- i love the ambience,, and their fish is good. Savor the Black Sand Beach. The land discovered at the end of the movie by the survivors (spoiler alert!) Fortunately, they only had some cosmetic cracks, even though some of them were pretty scary-looking. The Kaluahine falls are visible towards to east from the black sand beach on the bottom of Waipio valley. [deleted] 2 yr. ago Either way make sure you're respectful. 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. If you have any other suggestions don't be afraid to give them. I got the feeling that she gave the same recommendation for one reason or another just to stop people from hiking down. 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. The following 2.5 minute video shows aerial footage of the cliffs, the beach and the upper valley: The Pololu lookout gives you a magnificent view over Pololu Valley and the impressive sea cliffs that slowly crumble into the ocean. It is a gorgeous beach (I've stayed there a few times pre-earthquake). 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. It is nearby the lookout and has a wonderful selection of treats and drinks, with wonderful views and lots of tables. Where to stay on the west side; Kona districts vs. Kohala districts. Go slow going down. The valley and black sand beach at the bottom are beautiful. Great for first-time visitors. I also like the North (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. 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. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. Which Island do you recommend? 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Must see. Black sand, trees down to the water and huge waves barreling onto the beach make for an experience that is hard to describe. In part though it depends where you are starting your trip from. Plolu means "long spear" and the name evokes the shape of the valley, whereas the mouth of Waipio is broad, almost a mile wide. So it can be best to visit these beaches for the views only! At the King Kam, you shouldn't have too much trouble heading north on #19 - same with coming back. 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. Voting Is Now Open for the 2021 FlyerTalk Awards! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. I do not think either is advised as a good swimming place. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Special Event: Q&A with Rudi Schreiner, President, Co-Founder & Co-Owner - AmaWaterways River Cruises. Great for first-time visitors. Image credit: hawaiivolcanovacations. Pololu is not on the way to/from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Beautiful beach. The leeward side of the Kohala volcano is one of the best places on the Big Island to see whales from the shore. Hi'ilawe Falls Hi'ilawe Falls (driving directions using google maps). 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. Tom Hasslinger/Civil Beat/2021 "The community all recognizes, even the ones that were opposed to. Maybe I'm incorrect in my assumptions. Same, Pololu valley all the way. 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. Most people only drive to the end of Hwy. Image credit: Georgios Tsiminis. 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. 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. Locals will take those spots fast first thing in the morning, then leave later. The rest of the gulches follow in order from: Pololu Valley; 2. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I think those days are past me now, though the last time I did it I was 70. Where can I camp (tent or camper) and what are the rules? All the things Chi-Dave mentioned are great, and Hawi town is a great stop. 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. Coming from Waimea, head east on Hwy 19 until you reach Honokaa and follow the signs for Highway 240. We like to hike so we plan on hiking Pololu, and were going to take a horse tour into Wai'pio. What can I do--or avoid--to be a responsible visitor? This is a very popular area for birding, hiking, and running, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Respecting Hawaiian place names. 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. The wave-pounded, offshore Paoakalani islets and, beyond them, the Hamakua Coast's most remote sea cliffs. The Waipio Valley Road is a 25% grade paved road that descends 900 feet in only one mile. Of course, Waipi'o is the better hike. The highway ends at the picturesque lookout for this valley. Waipio is a sacred area, we have never gone down it, because it seems disrespectful to go "touring" there. There are very, very few public access parking spots at Mauna Kea. Wear good hiking shoes as the trail is very Rocky down and can be slippery especially after rain. 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. The sign says it's 1.2 miles and over 800' of elevation gain. Good idea to get the car at the King Kam hotel to eliminate the extra time needed for shuttles. To get here, take Hwy 270 to Mile Marker 28. You can see the steep Waipio Valley access road, the black sand beach, and taro fields. We were recommended to save time for this hike by 4 different locals. Public parking spaces are limited there, so I think your best chances of getting one are on the way there. 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. Which one would be better to do and why. Mgventures - thanks for the input in regards to the directions. We had allotted 3 hours but could only spend 2 and could have done it all in an hour without rushing. 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. People do it, but it's not as fun that way. Susan - I thought Rte 19 was the way to go to Pololu. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Yes, north on #19 which connects to #270, through Hawi and then to Pololu. They are not trail guides and I wonder on who's authority they act, if any. We share our favorite tips and images on Instagram, click here to go to our instagram account. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! Waipio Valley is a part of the Hilo Hamakua Heritage Coast. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. 83 reviews of Pololu Valley Lookout "PLEASE READ! Your options to get down to the valley floor with a tour range from: Explore majestic Waipio Valley, the lush and tropical Hamakua Coast, and multiple stunning waterfalls on the east side of the Big Island of Hawaii on this day full of fun and exciting adventure. I will check out those historical markers that you mentioned. 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. Pololu is a relatively easy walk down and up for the healthy, albeit with some challenging footing. It is drier than Waipio and lacks waterfalls, but it is lovely in its own way. 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. 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. Oahu is the lively center and most visited of all Hawaiian Islands. Going to either would be a great way to spend a day! The earthquake of 2006? I thought it was more so on w/e's. Just curious what your hours in port are? My husband and I will be staying on (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Also, I keep hearing about the traffic in Kona, how bad is it. Forgot to mention - when you're on the #270, if skies are clear you'll be able to see Maui wonderful views! I have a car rented at King. Shorter hike down, not on a road. The Hwy ends at a viewpoint that overlooks the valley with its scenic backdrop of steeply scalloped coastal cliffs spreading out to the east. 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. Pololu is the northwestern most of those valleys. Locals and tourists alike were free to drive or walk the road (although it was marked as a 4x4 only road). There were cows at the bottom which was awesome to see. The steady supply disappeared in 1905 when the Kohala Ditch network was completed. lovebigisland.com, gohawaii.com, bigislandguide.com, and so on). You can make this a part of your scenic drive around the Big Island! The trail gets slick when it has rained, but is not terribly difficult. 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. With only four days, you could skip both of them, especially as the swimming is so dangerous. Yeah, it was, interesting I had been through the Northridge 'quake in SoCa, too, with some other lesser quakes. Image adapted from source (by Eric Tessmer). Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton, Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho`omaluhia. They by coming back down #250 you get a completely different view and it makes a loop of the drive per this route. Take the Puako turn off the highway and head north for the access. I've stayed at both hotels, both good beaches. 270 and gawk at the beauty of the rugged northern . Meaning 'long spear' in Hawaiian, the Pololu Valley was formed by millennia of slow erosion, wind, and rain. Should I camp? for parking (not a deal breaker if you can't get a spot at MK, then worth paying at Hapuna and/or Waialea.). Enjoy this 0.9-mile out-and-back trail near Kapaau, Hawaii. What is good reef etiquette? Beautiful trail. Thanks all the advice. However, now I'm wondering if we should even do the horse tour if we plan on hiking to Pololu. Altitude sickness, taking kids, risks when visiting Mauna Kea summit. We were incredibly disappointed. The spectacular views of the valley and the steep cliffs that end in the ocean are worth a trip on their own, but the real thing to do here is hiking to the black sand beach at the valley floor! Cookie Notice On the way to Pololu, you can visit Lapakahi State Historical Park and the Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site. The vistas are different because of the distinct shapes of the valleys. Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features. 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. 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 took a few contented sighs before slowly getting up for the final . The waterfalls that you can see in the final scenes are the Kaluahine Falls which you can only see on rainy days from the ocean or the valley floor. For more information, please see our Pololu Valley Lookout. 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. 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. Shares the beach area with the Prince Hapuna Beach Hotel. 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. We have never been to HI an you are really helping us out. We're staying at Fairmont Orchid.
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