Waipio Valley a hikers oasis!!

Waipio Valley is one of the most beautiful spots on the Big Island and historically known for it's sacredness in Hawaiian culture. A small group of native Hawaiians still reside in the quite solitude of the valley, nestled between the mountains, with a gentle flowing river whispering stories of old into the ocean's depths. Although the valley is sacred, visitors are allowed to hike or drive down the winding road, after viewing the breathtaking scenery from the overlook. We had been to the overlook, yet had been hesitant to hike the steep path with our 4 and 5 year old! Sundays are for adventures after all, so we decided to throw caution to the wind and to my husband who would carry children if need be! As we entered the paved road, it did feel different than a normal hiking trail. Paved and domesticated, the trail provided us with a beautiful view of the windswept valley and ocean, as we rounded the corner. A 25 percent grade decline greeted us and we felt the slight burn in our legs as we descended. The trail was 3 miles from the overlook to the ocean, and twists and turns abruptly, yet at every corner, we could see closer views of the ocean, creating an exciting hike for both us and the kids. Hiking with views is immensely important in keeping two active keiki interested. If they have to hike a long ways to their destination and do not see gratification along the way, then prepare for crying and boredom, lesson learned!

We had come prepared for fun with plenty of sunscreen and most importantly, Camelbaks for the kids and for us! When entering the trail, one must always remember water and sunscreen if nothing else. The 2 liter children's size are perfect for the trail and may be found at many stores or on Amazon! One must take into account all the elements you would be dealing with on your adventure. I had learned the hard way, while attempting a tan in my earlier days here, and ended up with a decent case of heat exhaustion, all while hiking at the cooler elevation of the National Park! Always wear sunscreen even if you don't like it, especially at higher elevations!

Many visitors may choose to drive down and this is a smart option for those who cannot hike the steep descent or are feeling as we did with smaller children. However, I will say the hike is very safe, paved the entire way to the valley, then turning into a dirt road the rest of the way. If one wants to view the waterfall, you may turn left and follow the road down a bit to view its spectacular grace, or following the dirt road down to the left, you can hike alongside the river and quiet valley. Not very far, and one can hear the ocean rushing in their ears, wave vibrations coursing through their very core. At this point, a hiker feels gratitude for completing the hike, being part of the adventure and feeling one with such a beautiful place. People were parked alongside the ocean and many enjoy swimming in the waves or in the river. The waterfall off to the right, plunged madly into the sea and encapsulated our feelings of this magical place. We hiked down the beach and took off our shoes to enter the water. At this point, I would suggest going further up the river to where the bottom is more sandy, in order to cross more effectively. We gathered the kids shoes and carried everything across to the quieter side of the beach. The ocean currents are exceptionally strong, so take caution in allowing your keiki into the water. After watching the kids for a few minutes and feeling our blood pressure rise, we decided our best option would be swimming in the river.

As we watched Bear and Addy playing and laughing in the river, I thought back to my childhood growing up in Michigan. I have fond memories of playing in the Au Sable River and wading through rivers in the Upper Peninsula to find fish or colorful rocks. This was what adventure is all about and creating memories with the family! We could feel the sacredness of this place and it is one of the quietest places I have ever explored. Where the river meets the sea, you feel it in your being and if you close your eyes, you can feel the warm sun on your face and the vibrations of the ocean thundering into the sand. So I hope you choose to visit this spot and create your own hikers oasis. After all, with only one life to live, one must live it to the fullest and embrace the adventure in yourself.