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I hiked it. I discovered that I have a knee that doesn't like the stress of walking downhill. Going back up was easier.
I also took along a backpack with a jacket and three bottles of water. My two companions joked about whether I was planning on staying overnight. I said no, I was not planning on it but I was planning for it. Also, within minutes of starting the ascent, both asked eagerly if I could break out the water.
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For those following this thread that have not been into Waipio valley here are a few links to pics that might give you some sense of what we are talking about. The first is
https://www.etsy.com/listing/80419136/dawn-patrol which is a (approx) 345 degree panorama of the beach, river, and view of the back of the valley, at sunrise. Another, at
https://www.etsy.com/listing/80424942/hiilawe-stream was taken on the main road in the valley right where it crosses Hiilawa stream.
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30 acres of jungle and mud sounds like an ATV blast pslamont - u should do it!
Dakine, I can totally relate to wanting to keep the sanctity of your valley from the aggravation of noisy buzzing motorcycles or ATV's, totally the wrong place for it. The valley looks so peaceful if I lived there I would want to keep it that way also!Ttourism has its place for the benefits of the economy it can bring to places that economically suffer, but at the same time in doing so we give up too much at times to economically gain. In SE Alaska we live in a small island with a single community of around 12,000. During the 5 month tourism season our population base literally DOUBLES in a 4 - 6 hr period daily with 4 - 6 cruise ships in port along with independent travelers by plane or ferry arriving frequently. The first motorhomes of the season start arriving as early as March and the season ends mid to late September. At that point everyone breathes a big sigh of relief at the point of taking our town back! The cruise ships in Hawaii we have been told are 1 per day, 4 times a week. If you can keep the islands economy supported by keeping cruise ship visits minimal, the Aina will be much happier and so will the local folk!
islandgirl
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Waipio, any 4X4 will make it down (low gear for traction), worst spot is last turn as its slippery from sand/gravel, but once at bottom you will need clearance or constantly bottom out. Many average SUVs will bottom out in the waterholes on way to the shore... was there last week, bad!
PS the road down is the steepest road in the World, drops 800' in 6/10 of a mile.. Last year Lance Armstrong climbed it w/o stopping, only guy on a road bike to do it (MtBikes easily can do it). aloha
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save our indigenous and endemic Hawaiian Plants... learn about them, grow them, and plant them on your property, ....instead of all that invasive non-native garbage I see in most yards... aloha
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We've walked down and back several times, often with visitors (and children). Being old and fat I take it slow, but it's a great place. And years and pounds and knee injuries ago we did make to HiLike most of Hawaii, if you are pleasant and smile, people are pleasant and smile back. I do wish that there was some kind of test; so many times 4wd's going down in too high a gear, riding their brakes, only semi in control - maybe a sign on the top Got Granny? (and if you don't know what granny gear is, don't drive down!).
Lots of locals take their 4wd trucks down and put up big tents and BBQs in the beach area. The better water people in my family swim and surf, others play at the edge. It has the usual mix of tourists, hippies, surfers, fishermen (and women), families... Hmm, just like Hawaii!
