06-06-2012, 07:05 AM
FYI, all the rental car agencies other than possibly Harper's, specifically prohibit driving into Waipi'o. It will void your insurance, all your insurance, so any damage to the car will be out of pocket, and those are new Jeeps.
Some Valley residents are angry at seeing rental Jeeps and will associate any rental with a lot of bad insensitive behavior.
Waipi'o is a special place, but too many treat it as Disney Adventureland.
I did take the tour. It supports local families.
Whatever you do, don't take the hike to Hi'ilawe set out in Big Island Revealed. It is trespassing. I know one of the Hawaiian landowner's affected (the one other than Bishop Estate). The publication of that "hike" has caused her great grief. (The book pretends it isn't trespassing, but not true.)
If you drive down, best to go to the beach and leave the back of the Valley alone. Take a tour to visit the interior.
I was told the Ranger program is pau. It was a pilot program and is no longer being funded.
Some Valley residents are angry at seeing rental Jeeps and will associate any rental with a lot of bad insensitive behavior.
Waipi'o is a special place, but too many treat it as Disney Adventureland.
I did take the tour. It supports local families.
Whatever you do, don't take the hike to Hi'ilawe set out in Big Island Revealed. It is trespassing. I know one of the Hawaiian landowner's affected (the one other than Bishop Estate). The publication of that "hike" has caused her great grief. (The book pretends it isn't trespassing, but not true.)
If you drive down, best to go to the beach and leave the back of the Valley alone. Take a tour to visit the interior.
I was told the Ranger program is pau. It was a pilot program and is no longer being funded.