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Big Island Beach
Waipio Valley
Valley Entry Closure Notice
On February 25, 2022, the County of Hawaii issued an Emergency Rule announcing the closure of Waipio Valley Road to visitors as a precautionary safety measure and to further assess and mitigate the road's conditions, effective immediately.
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Take Waipio Road (on foot only!) down into the Waipio Valley and take the dirt road on the right (heading towards the ocean). This road to the beach passes through a wooded area with views of taro patches to your left. If you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of the beautiful wild horses of Waipio. Also be aware of what the lovely wild horses may leave on the path. It should only take about 10 minutes to reach the beach on a fairly dry day. Budget more time if it has rained recently as puddles the size of wading pools build up quickly. Once you reach the beach, the path veers to the left through a grove of Ironwood trees which were planted to provide a windbreak. This area is designated burial/sacred grounds by the state and signs state "no camping" in certain areas. The addition of port-a-potties makes the visit a bit more enjoyable (and sanitary). Never drink from the streams as the bacteria leptospirosis is likely to be present due to the many feral animals that live in the valley.
Waipio Beach's raw beauty is stunning, but swimming here can be dangerous. As with many Hawaiian beaches, the surf can be high and rip tides treacherous. There are several accessible coastal waterfalls to your right as you are facing the ocean. Approximately 10 minutes of rock walking along the coast should guide you to Kaluahine Falls. If this one is dry, and many times it is, just another 20 minutes or so down the coast is Waiulili Falls. Make sure to exercise extreme caution while walking along the coast. Never turn your back on the ocean and try to attempt the hike at low tide.
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