Hawaiian Walkways featured in

              Go Visit Hawaii online Travel Guide               April 2008

 
Waipio Valley Rim Hike with Hawaiian Walkways

by Sheila Beal 

About a year ago, I ran across a Coastal Living Magazine article about this great hike around Waipio Valley. I was intrigued by the sounds of this hike. When I was on the Big Island recently, I had to check out the hike for myself. So, what did I think of the guided hike? It was fantastic!

Now, I’m not normally one to pay for a hike, so I did search for free alternatives for hiking the Waipio rim. Though there are some websites that erroneously say you can hike the valley rim from White Road, the land owner has cut off access to that hike. The only way you can hike around the Waipio Valley rim without trespassing and getting lost is with Hawaiian Walkways. (They pay a “big fee” for a permit to hike on private land.)

After meeting at the Hawaiian Walkways office in quaint Honokaa town, we hopped onto a van for about a 20 minute ride through woods and unpaved and gated roads to the beginning of our 3.5 mile loop hike. These tours are scheduled in the mornings when the weather is more likely to be clear.

We walked through a Eucalyptus tree forest on our way to the first glimpses of the stunning Waipio Valley. Though the views of the one mile wide valley are impressive from the overlook off Hwy 240, the views along the hike offered a much different perspective that highlighted the six-mile depth and peace of the valley.

We skirted along a narrow path past more views of the valley, streams, foot bridges, waterfalls, wild ginger, hapuu ferns, and guava forests. We even got to pick a lemon guava off the tree and taste it. We also got to take a dip in a refreshing natural waterfall pool. By the way the word refreshing can also be defined as as freezing cold. The water was very cold, but I’m glad I braved it for this very unique experience! If you are looking for an idyllic rainforest hike with unbelievable views, then this hike is the one! (See all our photos from this hike.)

Tish (photo on the right) was our tour guide and she was very knowledgeable about the lush flora that grows around the Waipio Valley. We really learned so much about the cultural and practical significance of many plants and trees. Tish also taught us quite a bit of history and legends of the valley. We even learned stories about the Night Marchers (ghosts) of the Waipio valley.

To view Sheila's article in its entirety, including a short video from her hike with us, please visit her website.  http://www.govisithawaii.com/2008/04/11/waipio-valley-rim-hike-with-hawaiian-walkways/