Waipio Valley
A trip to Waipi`o is like going back in time to the "Old Hawaii". It is a
mystical place.
For over a thousand years it was inhabited only by Hawaiians and is the basis for a lot of
Hawaiian folklore. It does not take a lot of effort to imagine what this valley was like
before the settlers arrived. The people who live there today have very simple laid back
lifestyles. There are taro farms, fish ponds, mountain apples, avocados, bananas, lilikoi
(passion fruit), guavas, breadfruit, coconuts and coffee to be seen all along the
rough roads of the valley. It is a jungle that has always been known for it's abundance of
food including wild Waipi`o pigs.
The Valley is 1000 feet deep and a mile across. The Waipi`o river meanders through the
valley fed by many small and one very magnificent waterfall. At the mouth of the river
there is a black sand beach where many of the locals surf and fish. Across the river there
is the steep wall with a six mile trail leading to the Waimanu Valley. This valley
is smaller, more remote, less cultivated and more luxuriant than Waipio`o.
Transportion into the valley is by four wheel drive only. If you would like, there is a
company that offers transportation into the valley, mule drawn wagon tours and horseback
rides so that you may further explore this valley if you do not have a 4x4. For those in
shape there is a small parking area at the summit where you may leave your car and walk
down. The hike up is very strenuous.
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