Visiting Waipio?

[Rob Tucker]

I have some family visiting next month who want to go into Waipio Valley.  Is Waipio still open to visitors?  I thought I heard that it was kinda shut down.... unless you know someone.   Maybe there's a valley resident or two who will bring folks in for a fee.

Any info appreciated.

Mahalo.

[kalianna]

Restricted to residents and authorized tours unless you get a ride from residents, who are pretty thrilled that itʻs restricted to residents and authorized tours.

[Punatang]

As a former resident, I would recommend finding other ways to entertain your visitors. Hopefully they experience some aloha and fill up their Mana buckets while they are here. It is very possible that forcing an unwelcome intrusion in Waipio could result in a negative experience and possibly even compromise their physical safety. Malama pono.

[MyManao]

Rob, there are a few options to visit the valley.. and finding a land owner that would ‘host’ their visit probably isn’t the best of them at the moment. There are valid tourists concessions that are great. It’s not the same as tooling around on one’s own and all that but it is a way to visit and have no impact, and no pilikia with those that would otherwise make asses out of themselves.

I would offer to help, but I don't get to that side as much as I used to, and it really is a fragile situation between those that welcome others and those that live in the valley to hide from society and indulge their habits. So, any action not in some sort of ‘approved’ activity is just opening everyone up to a possible unpleasant experience.

As it is the best way to approach this, imo, is to consider the Waipio Valley Shuttle..

https://www.waipiovalleyshuttle.com

Their operation is run out of Waipio Valley Artworks, which is an art gallery in Kukuihaele, 

https://www.waipiovalleyartworks.com

The folks that now own the gallery are new, they bought the place last year, but it is sort of a non-official gathering place for tourists in that before the road construction began a lot of the tourists concessions were run out of there, and as such I suspect they know more about the daily attitudes and what’s available and all that.

Regarding the road access and the humbug around access in general, and as background to the strife that can be felt if one strays too far from the prescribed methods of gaining access to the valley..

A handful of years ago a group of folks figured they could shut the valley to all but locals, which is all they want, by pointing out the unsafe conditions of the access road. In their shortsightedness there was the idea they could say to County that the road was unsafe and the county would give them a gate with a guard and they could live happily ever after. But it hasn’t worked out that way.

When telling County of the problem they didn’t seem to understand that ultimately if push cane to shove the county, who owns the access road, would be compelled to work towards the common good for all, not just those who had fantasies of living in a gated community, and now the road is being redesigned and constructed to provide access to the greater population and soon all their shenanigans will be for naught. 

I tell this story so as to introduce the strife which everyone has been made to feel because of the selfish few who have created this drama. It is a problem, and so is all the illegal activity some hoped to hide with a gate, that is going to have to face the light of day soon. But for the moment it’s held at bay with the illusion of their privacy as the road is reconstructed. So, all said, I think it’s best your friends stick with the shuttle, or whatever other options the folks at the art gallery recommend.

Good luck!

[punikahakaiferret]

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!

[Punatang]

I agree 1000% with MyManao's enlightened assessment and advice.  In other news: shave ice now has a chance in hell.

[punikahakaiferret]

@Punatang:

Kinda like,

"Keep Waipio Waipio!" :-D

[achutch3]

Was just down there a few days ago. Sign says “Hawaii Island Residents” not specifically Waipio Valley residents at this time. Still need 4WD vehicle.

[HiloJulie]

Here all this time, I always was under the impression that Waipi'o Valley was "sacred."

[Durian Fiend]

Was just down there a few days ago. Sign says “Hawaii Island Residents” not specifically Waipio Valley residents at this time. Still need 4WD vehicle.

How about your own two feet, is that OK?  I've walked down and up a couple times, in flip flops no less.  Not advisable when the road is wet. 

Or possibly take your bicycle.  Lance Armstrong biked UP in less than 10 minutes on a bet, or so I've heard.