Hawaii's Waipio Valley


HAWAII'S WAIPIO VALLEY: WATCH THE VIDEO

 

The Waipio Valley is definitely one of those magical places.  If the heart of Hawaii is its steaming volcanoes, then its soul must be the Waipio Valley.  It is the valley of kings, the home and burial grounds of Hawaiian royalty for generations.  Visitors can be shuttled, or can hike down a steep and narrow road that twists its way perilously to the valley floor.  Waipio welcomes exploration on horseback, on foot, or by four-wheel drive that doesn't come from a rental car company.  Waterfalls cascade a thousand feet from surrounding cliffs to create the Waipio River.  This was once Hawaii's largest cultivated valley.  In times of famine, the abundance of this fertile soil fed the entire island.  At the mouth of the valley, the waters of the Waipio River cut across a black sand beach to reach the Pacific.  It's easy to understand why kings would choose this for their home.  In fact, 4000 Hawaiians lived in the valley as recently as 1778 when Captain Cook arrived on the island.  Today only about 50 people live here.  Not only is the Waipio Valley remote, but nature here is in complete control.  In 1946 a great tsunami engulfed the valley sweeping away homes and taro farms.  Despite the occasional fury of nature, some consider this the Garden of Eden. 

 



The last time I peered into Waipio Valley from the cliffs high above it looked as beautiful as ever. It's been a few years since I've had the opportunity to descend into it's lovely terrain, and it's definitely time to go back.

The Waipio Valley wagon tours are still being conducted Monday through Saturday though Hanalei no longer works for the tour company.

Linda Beech still rents out her Waipio Valley treehouse from time to time.

The last we checked, Linda had the treehouse up for sale. I hope she finds a buyer who will care for the house and love the valley as much as she has.




See why Hawaiian royalty revered the fertile Waipio Valley on the Big Island's dramatic North Coast and discover the intriguing Waipio Valley treehouse.
Hawaii's Big Mystery

Find a legend almost lost in the wilds and hike to the heated summit of ...

Hawaii's Living Volcano
Walk the Kilauea volcano and feel the heat of the earth under construction....
Hawaii's Ocean After Dark
Mystery, majesty, manta rays (and a little mugging) in the nighttime sea....
Hawaii's Swift Tradition Reborn

Fly down the steep, grassy slopes of the legendary Parker Ranch towards ...

Kauai's Garden of Delights
Take a quick look at the Garden Island's many treasures....
Oahu's Wild North Shore
Climb a Stairway to Heaven on Oahu's heavenly north shore....
Big Island Visitor Bureau
Hawaii, Wikipedia
Hawaiian Tree House- HGTV articl...
Hawaiirama.com Travel Guide
Linda’s Tree House
Office of Hawaiian Affairs
Society for Hawaiian Archaeology...
Waipio Valley Wagon Tours
Waipio Valley, Valley of the Kin...
Waipi’o o Na’alapa Stables

Related Categories
History, Nature, Wildlife
Flights Hotels Cars kayak.com
From:
To:

for cheap flights
City:

for discount hotels
City:

for rental cars




Copyright 2009 ConvergenceMedia Productions, LLC. All rights reserved.
Site Design by Zeek Interactive
ServInt