There are 7 deeply incised valleys in the north of Big Island. The only ones that can be hiked are Waipio Valley near Waimea, Waimanu Valley (from Waipio) and Pololu Valley, which must be approached from the west side. This hike covers about 20 km, depending on how long you want to walk. It should be remembered that you have to return the same way. That is why only a part of the hike is described here. It extends over 12km and 900 meters of altitude. It ends above Honokane Iki Valley. But you can also hike down to the lonely bay.
The 7 valleys are as follows:
- Pololu Valley
- Honokāne Nui
- Honokāne Iki
- Honoke'a
- Honopue
- Waimanu Valley (with campsite)
- Waipi'o Valley (the most visited of all valleys)
As you follow Highway 270 north and the black lava landscape of the Kohala Coast gives way to the lush green grasslands of North Kohala, you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view at the end of the drive at Pololu Valley Overlook.
Park your car in the parking lot at the end of the road and enjoy a breathtaking view of the green cliffs of Pololu Valley and the spectacular northeast coast. As you gaze out at the rock formations in open water and the beautiful black sand beach at the mouth of the valley, horses calmly graze on the hillsides beside you. Take a nearly 25-minute hike down to the valley floor and black sand beach. Swimming is not recommended at this point, however, due to strong currents. Together with the Waipio Valley Overlook, which also offers views of the northeastern tip of the island (only from the south), this vantage point opens up one of the most spectacular views on Hawaii Island.
Pololū ist das nördlichste einer Reihe von Erosionstälern, die die Ostküste des Kohala-Berges auf der Insel Hawaii bilden. Das Wort pololū bedeutet in der hawaiianischen Sprache „langer Speer“.
The valley forms a deep cut on the side of Kohala Mountain and is crossed in its entirety by the Pololū Stream. Hiking trails crisscross the valley, leading in and out. The valley is located by the sea on a beautiful black sand beach. A yellow sand dune protects green areas inland from the occasional fury of the ocean.
In the past, the Hawaiians used the valley for tarot cultivation. Later, the cultivation of rice was added. However, by the 20th century, the valley was no longer used. A section of the Kohala Ditch, which carries water from the Honokane Valley to the sugarcane fields of the North Kohala District, runs along the sides of the Pololū Valley. A relatively short hike on a graded trail leads to the valley floor. The trail continues beyond the valley and over a ridge to the neighboring Honokane Nui Valley.
