Waipio Valley - Big Island, Hawaii

Visit the largest and southernmost of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains! Waipio valley is filled with historical and cultural importance to the people of Hawaii and with spectacular nature you won't soon forget!

The Waipio Valley has long been revered as a mystical place to Hawaiian natives, and many of the ancient stories of the Hawaiian gods are set here. Today, the Waipio Valley coast is a mile wide and boasts a beautiful black sand beach. Visitors will enjoy endless vistas of cliffs, reaching almost 2000 feet with cascading waterfalls. Outdoorsy types will love the hikes down the trail to the edge of the valley where, after descending into the valley, the direction is up to you. The valley is filled with jungle trees, rivers, and Hawaiian animals, and therefore great for wildlife viewing. Be sure to stop at Tex Drive Inn, a restaurant in Honokaa, which serves local plate lunch-style food, snacks, and coffee. It specializes in Portuguese Malasadas, a delicious kind of deep-fried donut. Camping is not allowed in the Waipio Valley, however there are several bed and breakfasts located near the valley.

To get here, take Route 19 north out of Hilo. Turn right onto Route 240 towards Waipio, and take this road until you reach the Waipio Lookout.