B1

The Pololu Valley is an easier hike and quite similar and empty
http://www.letsgo-hawaii.com/pololu/

tinzplace

Aloha! I came back from Hawaii's Big Island last year and LOVED every moment of my visit. One of my greatest highlights was hiking into Waipio Valley, around the public road and far down enough to see a view of Hi'ilawe Falls.

This year I am traveling back to the Big Island (HOORAY!!!) and am extremely excited about seeing Waipio Valley a second time. The only thing is, I am trying to decide upon HOW to see it. I still want to hike back in the valley again and this time, see the black sand beach. However, I am also thinking about doing something new. So far I am considering either just plain hiking it on my own and hiking to and across the beach to part of the Muliwai Trail (just to the third switchback for the view). However, I am also considering taking either an ATV tour or a hike with either Hawaii Forest and Trail or Hawaiian Walkways.

Which one should I do? The HF&T hike doesn't go into the valley, so I'd probably go back and hike it again on another day. Not sure my schedule will allow for it, though. What do you know about the Hawaiian Walkways tour (apparently, it takes you swimming in a waterfall)? Does that one go into the valley itself, or just around the rim like the HF&T one?

Mahalo in advance for any advice and help. I am really excited about seeing Waipio Valley again. I can honestly say that hiking it last year was one of my greatest thrills, and I dream about that beautiful valley again!

Ancien Maestro

We visited Waipio Valley this last trip out.. but stayed up top at the visitor center overlook.

Lavarock7

Here is "Pono", which was one of the horses on the Waipio Horseback Adventure. I also highly recommend the activity. You should know that it is a "nose to tail" ride, so you do not need to be an experienced rider.



It is rare for me to be able to post a photo of me on horseback, as this was the first time I had been on a horse in 30 years or more. I knew I could work that photo into a post.

italdesign

With the current closure, does that mean no more cars, but walk in is OK?

hawaii-bound

Closed to vehicles and hikers unless you live or have business in the valley

https://www.sfgate.com/hawaii/articl...d-17036405.php

bocastephen

I am really shocked how some of these places have become overrun with tourists and visitors while being all but ignored even 10 years ago. For some 20 years, I've made an almost annual visit to Mauna Kea to see the summit at sunset, and the visitor center for stargazing - all of a sudden, within maybe a 1-2 year period, on one of my visits the place was literally overrun. I had never seen anything like it, and was total, complete chaos and mayhem.

I fully support the closure of the Valley access road, and it should remain closed permanently except, after some healing time, a small number of licensed tour operators running horse rides or wagon rides in the Valley.

italdesign

I'm imagining something creative from the residents a la the Hanoi Train Street - you can't go in unless a residents escorts you in, so you literally pay them to bring you in.

Personally, I think they could greatly limit (but not ban) visitors a la the Kalalau Trail lottery system.

escapefromphl

If they let the tours continue, this smells of corruption. I suspect this ban will largely be ignored by locals (not valley residents) who were a large segment of those driving down there. I suspect the surfers will also just ignore the rules.

Weatherboy

The road down is a public county road which is why there are now a few lawsuits filed against Hawaii for closing it. The road is in desperate need for an update, but so do most bridges and roads on the island. I don't know how this will end, but they are enforcing limited access down. And due to safety reasons, not even locals may travel it on rainy days.

escapefromphl

I don't have a problem with restricting folks driving down. I do have issue with them preventing anyone other than residents even walking down.