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Hiking Table

The following table summarizes all the trips in this book. It will help you quickly decide which trips you, and which are within your party’s ability.

Under “Miles,” “neg.” means that the total distance is negligable, and “var.” means that it varies depending on the route you choose. An “X” in the “Bkpk” column designates a backpacking trip.

A hiker strolls along the Kilauea Iki Rim Trail

Trip 1

Waipio Valley

Distance: 3 miles

Elevation gain: 960 feet

Hiking time: 2 hours

Topos: Kukuihaele 7½

Difficulty: Strenuous, tennis shoes okay

Highlights: When you were dreaming of visiting Hawaii, did you linger over photographs of a broad, Eden-like green valley sealed off from the outside world by sheer, thousand-foot-high walls? Chances are that valley was Waipio Valley. This is your chance to spend some time in it.

Driving instructions: From Hilo, drive northwest along the Hamakua Coast on Highway 19 for 40 miles to the turnoff to Honokaa (Highway 240). Allow plenty of time for this drive, as the Hamakua Coast is very lovely. After turning right (north) onto Highway 240, follow it through Honokaa and several smaller towns to the end of the road, 9⅓ more miles (49⅓ miles total), just above Waipio Overlook. Under no circumstances should you even consider driving down into Waipio Valley! The 4WD-only road is extraordinarily steep, narrow, and a trial even for drivers who know it well.