Big
Island Earthquake Update
Update 11/21/06 - State officials have reopened the Pololu Trail in North
Kohala. Various sections of the trail, which runs in a steep
zigzag down the vegetated cliff face, have been rebuilt -
read
article. The road leading to the Pololu Valley Lookout has
also been repaired -
news
release.
Polulu Valley, where North Kohala's main artery,
Hwy-270, comes to a dead end, is the last of the chain of inaccessible
valleys, and for the moment is every bit as pristine as Waipio. The fear
of tsunami, which led the Hawaiians to abandon these once densely
populated valleys, is probably their best defense against the rapacity
of the developers.
The
morning is the best time to visit this picturesque perch overlooking a
stretch of sea cliffs. Pololu
valley is located at the end of
Highway 270 in North Kohala. On your drive up Highway 270, be sure to stop
for a look-see and a wonderful bite to eat in the quaint town of Hawi. The
highway ends at the picturesque lookout for the Pololu Valley. At
the top you can look down onto the Pololu Valley and a beautiful black sand
beach.
Hike
the Pololu Valley If you are in for a day of adventure you can hike down into the
valley on a long zigzagging dirt path. The valley is fed by a meandering
stream. Once in the valley you can look back at the spectacular views and
possibly see some waterfalls. We highly recommend you take the 25 minute
hike to the bottom of the valley and check out the wonderful scenery and
black sand beach - it is well worth the trip. Bring a picnic to
enjoy at the bottom of the valley. Wear comfortable shoes and don't
forget your camera! Are
you ready? Read our
Hawaii Hiking Tips.
Hike
to the Honokane Nui Valley The trail down to the Pololu Valley continues on the other side of the
river, at the bottom of the valley. The scenery changes at the
bottom of the valley with tall
forest trees on the high terrain and swampy dense vegetation along the
river. The trail zig-zags up the side of the saddle and into the
next valley, the Honokane Nui. The trail then continues into the
next valley, the Honokane Iki, and beyond to another series of valleys
with spectacular
views of ridges as well as the valleys below. Continuing on these
trails is a challenge and we recommend you pack plenty of water and a
topographic map and GPS. Hiking beyond the Pololu Valley can be a
challenge. An average of two
or three hiking or hunting groups a month need to be flown out of Kohala
by emergency helicopter. The mountain is inviting, but the trails are
poorly maintained and the terrain is surprisingly hazardous. One
resource manager states bluntly "Kohala eats people."
NOTE: The land beyond Pololu is privately owned, and it is necessary
to get an access permit from the Surety Kohala company in order to
legally access these areas. The Surety office is located next to
the Hawi post office and grocery store right in Hawi town (view
map). The phone
number is (808) 889-6257. Hikers need to register and sign a waiver at
the office during business hours, (8-4 M-F). Generally they like people
to go with someone who knows the area and has hiked there before.
Keokea Beach Park Driving back
from the end of Highway 270 at the Pololu overlook to the
north, you'll see a curvy road angle off to the right. Follow it for
a mile, past the cemetery with the weathered old stones, and you'll
come upon the green lawns and large picnic pavilion of Keokea Beach
Park. This is a picturesque beach and a nice spot for a picnic.
Want to be adventurous? For more tips
and info, check out the
Big Island Adventure Guide.
Attractions:
scenic drive, scenic lookout, tropical valley Activities: hiking, camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing Extras: small parking lot at the scenic lookout
Mouth of Pololu Valley
Looking inland into the Valley
View from hike
Mouth of valley
View from hike
Pololu black sand beach
Rugged Shoreline
Pololu Valley Shore
Big Island Activities
Pololu
Valley Kohala Wai Adventure
Explore the remote Pololu Valley area on the northern tip of the Big
Island aboard a rugged off-road Pinzgauer 6x6 vehicle. Witness the
life-giving and land-sculpting power of water, as you ramble through
a changing landscape of rushing streams, towering ocean cliffs and
cascading waterfalls. You'll even have time to kick off your shoes
and take a dip in a cool mountain pool!
Big
Island Helicopter Tours Witness the picturesque beauty of the
Kohala Mountains! Climb up steep ocean cliffs and sink down into
deep winding valleys such as Waimanu, Pololu and Waipio.
Witness the power of Kilauea Volcano and the glorious waterfalls of the
Big Island, offering you a superior tour with friendly, knowledgeable
and personal service.
