Turning 50 in Hawaii - Week 2

November 10, 2015

Hawaii — Turning 50 in Hawaii - Week 2

Travel

Week 2 takes me from Captain Cook to Hawi. Hawi is a rather small but historic village located on the northern coast of The Big Island, Hawaii. Beyond Hawi is the town of Kapaau, home of the original King Kamehameha I Statue.

Continue driving east on Highway 270 and you'll literally come to the end of the road at the stunning Pololu Valley Overlook. The incredible view overlooking the northeastern coastline will be the perfect way to end your journey through North Kohala.

Here are a few places I stopped at along the drive from Captain Cook including the Pololu Vally Overlook which I'll revisit later.

The Kekaha Kai State Park, Mahai'ula Section entrance sign amid a black lava field with the ocean beyond

It's a pretty rough ride to the Kekaha Kai State Park. The road winds through a few lava fields before you get to the little park.

A lone shrub growing from a black lava field along the coast, with the ocean in the distance A rocky tide pool and pale sand beach along the coast at Kekaha Kai State Park Close-up of small black and tan pebbles at the water's edge A sandy cove with scattered trees along the shoreline at Kekaha Kai State Park A wide beach cove with distant palm trees and mountains along the coastline A black lava field stretching toward a hazy view of Mauna Loa in the distance A vast black lava field with the ocean visible on the horizon The Keokea Beach Park entrance sign framed by trees, overlooking the bay Waves crashing against red cliffs along a stormy stretch of coastline

The north shore gets a lot more wind so the water can be a bit more treacherous.

Waves breaking along a rocky coastline beneath a tree branch, with cliffs in the distance A rocky point and cliffs with waves crashing along the shoreline Large waves crashing against dark cliffs beneath overhanging tree branches Stormy waves rolling in along a rocky coastline beneath a leafy branch A rocky beach cove framed by tree branches, with waves crashing against distant cliffs The dramatic sea cliffs and coastline viewed from the Pololu Valley Overlook A sweeping view down into the green Pololu Valley from the overlook

Waipio Valley as seen from the "end of the road" on Highway 19. There's a short (25% grade) trail that goes down to the cove. :)

Interior view through sliding glass doors overlooking a lush garden with palm trees and ocean beyond

The beautiful place I'm staying at overlooks beautiful gardens, vast fields and gorgeous ocean.

The vacation rental's exterior with a covered lanai, potted plants, and tropical landscaping

A few views from the place I'm staying and north overlooking the ocean and mountains.

A silver car parked near banana trees and a garden shed, with rolling green hills beyond Windswept palm trees in a grassy field overlooking the deep blue ocean A bunch of green bananas growing on a banana tree Wind-blown palm trees on a grassy hillside overlooking the ocean A wide view of green pastureland sloping down toward the distant coastline Rolling green pastureland stretching toward the hazy coastline and ocean A rainbow arcing over grassy hills with eucalyptus trees in the foreground A hazy view across the saddle between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from the pasture Mauna Loa rising above the plains, seen from the pasture in hazy afternoon light Clouds parting over the ocean and coastline at sunset, framed by trees A waterfall dropping through the misty, forested cliffs of Waipio Valley

Located along the Hamakua Coast on the northeast shore of the Big Island of Hawaii, the Waipio Valley is the largest and most southern of the seven valleys on the windward side of the Kohala Mountains.

The Waipio Valley is a mile wide at the coastline and almost six miles deep. Along the coast is a beautiful black sand beach often used by motion picture production companies.

On both sides of the valley there are cliffs reaching almost 2000 feet with hundreds of cascading waterfalls, including one of Hawaii's most celebrated waterfalls - Hi'ilawe.

Waipio Valley (also called Valley of the Kings) was once home to Hawaiian royalty who oversaw the cultivation of taro root (loi) in the valley's fertile earth

I took a 2.5 hour horseback ride along the rim of the valley. Kevin, from Waipio Ridge Stables, was an excellent guide. While rainy for most of the ride, it was still spectacular.

A pair of waterfalls cascading down the forested cliffs of the Waipio Valley, seen through tall grass A view down into the green Waipio Valley and its black sand beach from the rim trail The Waipio Valley coastline framed by tree branches from the rim trail Fog and low clouds drifting over the forested cliffs and taro fields of Waipio Valley Three horses tied to a hitching rail along the horseback riding trail

This is the horse I rode.

Hillary and her riding guide Kevin posing together with the Waipio Valley overlook behind them

This is Kevin. I didn't ride Kevin. lol

Want to leave a comment? Send me an email: hillary@mybuzzabout.com

TED: Totally Excellent Dog

Teddy has some weird genetic hair issues going on. He's gone from short hair to long hair to a full mane to no mane, with plenty of iterations in between—and it doesn't depend on the season!

He's always happy to answer any questions too! You can email us at hillary@mybuzzabout.com but I'll respond for him as he hasn't gotten the knack of typing yet. WOOF!

Teddy the dog looking out a car window Close up of Teddy the dog