Often called the “Valley of Kings,” Waipiʻo is a wahi pana, a legendary place, with a rich history. Perhaps best known as the place where Kamehameha the Great grew up, Waipiʻo was also the birthplace of ʻUmi-a-Līloa, a chief of the 15th century who was the first to unite almost the whole island under one rule. Waipiʻo is a very sacred place, as well as a beautiful one, and is much cherished by island residents today. It’s one of the rare places where you can see the old way of life still in practice today. Choosing one of our great rentals here will give you a truly unique experience! Find out more about our Waipio Valley vacation rentals below:
The Waipio Valley Landscape
Second, only to Volcanoes National Park as most visited attractions on the island, Waipi’o is a must for any Big Island itinerary. Basing your stay in one of our Waipi’o vacation rentals provides easy access to this stunning valley.
Waipiʻo is a flat-bottomed river valley, lush with taro paddies. The mouth of the valley is a beautiful curving black sand beach (exercise extreme caution in the water here), punctuated by waterfalls at the ends. Though there are many seasonal falls within the valley, the most prominent by far is Hiʻilawe, made famous in song. Hiʻilawe is the tallest waterfall in the state of Hawaiʻi.
While there are a few hiking trails in Waipiʻo, almost all of the land is privately held. The valley’s few residents (less than 100) highly value their privacy; do not trespass on anyone’s land. Likewise, there are sacred sites and burial grounds everywhere, especially near the beach, so act with respect, pack out your trash, and don’t move or climb on any rocks or structures. It’s fine to walk along the beach, as well as up the Muliwai Trail (Z Trail) that climbs the far wall of the valley past the beach. It is not recommended for visitors to drive any kind of vehicle into the valley, as the road is extremely steep and narrow. Leave the driving to locals; park at the top and walk down, or explore the valley floor with a guided tour. We want your stay in one of our Waipio homes for rent to be memorable, so be sure to include these experiences in your itinerary!
Explore the Waipi’o Valley by Tour
Though the Waipi’o Valley can certainly be admired from the lookout point, descending into the valley via a guided tour allows you to more deeply appreciate its seclusion and beauty. Several operators run tours into the valley, giving visitors a variety of options. Waipio Valley Shuttle offers one of the most comfortable tours of the valley, taking you down the steep road in the comfort of their four-wheel-drive vehicle, alleviating the concerns of traversing the steep, rugged terrain in a rental (which is prohibited in most rental contracts). This two-hour tour provides opportunities to explore this verdant valley of taro farms, rivers, lotus ponds, flora, fruit trees, and a sandy beach, throughout which horses can sometimes be seen roaming freely.
Waipio Valley Wagon Tours invites you to step back in time when you explore the valley via a mule-drawn wagon. Learn more about the history and culture of this pristine valley during the tour, keeping the excursion both interesting and informative. Exploring the valley by mule-drawn wagon is a leisurely, nostalgic way to enjoy the surroundings.
Yet another company in the area offering valley tours is Waipi’o On Horseback. Offering both morning and afternoon horseback rides, Waipi’o On Horseback offers a different experience for exploring the valley. With such a variety of tour options, it is easy to descend safely into the Waipi’o Valley to enjoy its waterfalls, plant life, beach, and natural beauty up close! Be sure to immerse yourself in these experiences during your stay in one of our Waipio Valley vacation rentals
Book one of our Waipio Valley Vacation Rentals
Take the next step toward booking your dream Hawaii getaway when you book your vacation rental through us at I Love Hawaii. Our team of reservation specialists is standing by to assist in choosing the best vacation rental for your stay, as well as to help you find all the best things to see and do in the area. Whether you dream of exploring the Big Island’s stunning black sand beaches, hiking in Volcanoes National Park, or exploring the coastal towns of Hilo or Kailua-Kona, browse your area of interest to explore our vacation rental options. We also offer accommodations throughout the islands of Kauai, Maui, and Oahu! Enjoy your visit to Waipiʻo Valley, a truly special place of old Hawaiʻi!
Contact us to learn more about our Waipio homes for rent.