11-09-2024, 06:33 PM
For another beautiful valley view instead of Waipio, I know that Pololū Valley is open, but is inundated with tourists/hikers, even more so with the overflow from those who cannot get to Waipio (and rightfully so).
The overlook at Waipio is still open, as far as I knew last.
There are other pretty places to take visitors that are accessible and pono. And probably choke videos or YouTubes of flyovers of Waipio. Probably even footage of people's GoPro's on their head, ha.
We often "day-trip" up Hamakua Coast, stopping along the way at Honomu, on to Honoka'a and then thru Waimea up to Hawi/Kapa'au to Keokea Beach Park and then continue down Kohala Coast, either heading back thru Waimea or down to Kawaihae and taking Saddle (oh, yeah, and the drive up to Waiki'i gives a neat view of the back of Maunakea) back or continuing down and around and south, either to Ka Lae as well, or just back on the Belt.
The little scenic drive on Old Mamalahoa Hwy at Pepe'ekeo is pretty, with Onomea Bay there, botanical garden, etc.
We've jumped off the Belt at 'Ō'ōkala and done those few miles on the old M hwy, too.
On a clear day, there's a fun scenic "high road" between Nā'ālehu and Pahala, so long as the recent rains haven't washed it out. Haven't been in several months. Whittington Beach Park/Honu'apo is way less crowded than Punalu'u Beach and pretty interesting, tho no black sandy beach.
Sorry if I rambled like a silly old tour guide, but hope this gives some other options or food for thought. Or if this is all "old hat" and "been there, done that" for everyone? That's ok, too.
We were *all* first timers, once! ;-D
(By the way, anyone else wanna share other little "roads less traveled" bits of the Old Mamalahoa Hwy? We are always trying to find little parts of it on our day trips that are driveable with a normal car and that we don't accidentally end up in someone's driveway with a shotgun pointed at us. Wish there was some sort of driving guide or routefinder that would reliably provide that info.)
Mahalo for putting up with my babble!
The overlook at Waipio is still open, as far as I knew last.
There are other pretty places to take visitors that are accessible and pono. And probably choke videos or YouTubes of flyovers of Waipio. Probably even footage of people's GoPro's on their head, ha.
We often "day-trip" up Hamakua Coast, stopping along the way at Honomu, on to Honoka'a and then thru Waimea up to Hawi/Kapa'au to Keokea Beach Park and then continue down Kohala Coast, either heading back thru Waimea or down to Kawaihae and taking Saddle (oh, yeah, and the drive up to Waiki'i gives a neat view of the back of Maunakea) back or continuing down and around and south, either to Ka Lae as well, or just back on the Belt.
The little scenic drive on Old Mamalahoa Hwy at Pepe'ekeo is pretty, with Onomea Bay there, botanical garden, etc.
We've jumped off the Belt at 'Ō'ōkala and done those few miles on the old M hwy, too.
On a clear day, there's a fun scenic "high road" between Nā'ālehu and Pahala, so long as the recent rains haven't washed it out. Haven't been in several months. Whittington Beach Park/Honu'apo is way less crowded than Punalu'u Beach and pretty interesting, tho no black sandy beach.
Sorry if I rambled like a silly old tour guide, but hope this gives some other options or food for thought. Or if this is all "old hat" and "been there, done that" for everyone? That's ok, too.
We were *all* first timers, once! ;-D
(By the way, anyone else wanna share other little "roads less traveled" bits of the Old Mamalahoa Hwy? We are always trying to find little parts of it on our day trips that are driveable with a normal car and that we don't accidentally end up in someone's driveway with a shotgun pointed at us. Wish there was some sort of driving guide or routefinder that would reliably provide that info.)
Mahalo for putting up with my babble!