« Previous Report: Big Island - Introduction, Day 1 and Day 2 Next Report: Day 4 - Volcanoes National Park »

Mighty volcanoes, secluded waterfalls, beautiful beaches and lush rain forests

Bicycling Hawaii, the Big Island - December 2005

three-picture-banner.jpg

27 photos and movies (movie) by Steven Hill and Rebecca Heald, steephill.tv (photo sharing conditions )

Day 3: Old Mamalahoa Hwy to Waipio Valley - 40 mi, 3300 feet of climbing

waipio-route-map.jpg

hang-loose-movie-still.jpg
Click the pic to watch
Ride with us along Old Mamalahoa Hwy with the Hamakua Coast (sea level of course) on our left and the massive Mauna Kea volcano (el 13796') on our right... complete with soundtrack
This was the sort of Hawaiian ride we had hoped for. After parking at the corner of Hwy 19 and Old Mamalahoa Hwy in a small park-n-ride lot, we set off and enjoyed a diverse 40 mile out and back bike ride. An employee at the Bikeworks shop in Kona called Old Mamalahoa Hwy his favorite cycling road on the island. It was a very good road offering a view of Mauna Kea (Day 5 full report) to the south and the Hamakua Coast (sea level of course) to the north with quiet pasture land separating the volcano from the lush coast. The grass lands turned into the Honoka'a rain forest where the descending starts and we followed the curvy road through the forest while catching glimpses of the coast poking through the gaps in the trees. Most cars now use the newer Hwy 19 that runs parallel to it so we mostly had this scenic road to ourselves. (Click the movie to the right to see for yourself) The road ends in Honoka'a, a former sugar plantation trying to redefine (or refine!) itself.

We passed up some touristy shots in Honoka'a and headed northwest on Hwy 240 up the Hamakua Coast to the day's main attraction, the Waipi'o Valley. The road is well-paved with a good shoulder and little traffic and abruptly ends at the Valley lookout. The Waipio Valley is a spectacular site. First there is the view down to the bay and looking north along the 1000 foot sea cliffs and then there is the steep road down into the lush valley below that has six waterfalls--all falling 600 feet or more. Apparently, this area has a renegade past and some locals are apparently unfriendly to outsiders, but friendly enough to welcome the money and bit-roles offered when the most expensive Hollywood movie at the time, Water World, was filmed there in 1995. We brought our sandals along on the ride so we could walk down to the valley and to the beach. The narow road down to the valley was paved but with a 25% grade all the way down so we locked up our bikes and walked. It's not a difficult hike to the beach but some drive a 4WD vehicle all the way from the top or catch a ride with a tour company. With lots of waterfalls, challenging valley trails and a very scenic beach for relaxing, I highly recommend a non-biking day exploring the Waipio Valley. Hiking out of the valley wasn't easy. We both needed an energy bar once we got are sweaty bodies back up to our bikes. Since we did an out and back ride, the second half of our ride was the same as the first except we had saved the climbing for the end of the day. The climbing was long but gentle. Beautiful weather and a beautiful ride always makes for a great day. Hauoli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year) -- Steve, January 1, 2006

Next... Day 4 - Volcanoes National Park >>


The grass lands leading to the massive Mauna Kea volcano.jpg
The grass lands leading to the massive Mauna Kea volcano
Old Mamalahoa Hwy and the highest point in the State, Mauna Kea (el 13,796').jpg
Old Mamalahoa Hwy and the highest point in the State, Mauna Kea (el 13,796')
On a clear day, the Pacific Ocean blends with the blue sky.jpg
In the other direction, the Pacific Ocean blends with the blue sky
Old Mamalahoa Hwy starting to look tropical.jpg
Old Mamalahoa Hwy starting to look tropical
Hamakua Coast viewed from the rain forest on Old Mamalahoa Hwy.jpg
Hamakua Coast viewed from the rain forest on Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Feeling blue with green envy?.jpg
Feeling blue with green envy?
Taking a sip along the Hamakua coast.jpg
Taking a sip along the Hamakua coast
Weeds and water.jpg
Weeds and water
Streaming to a waterfall.jpg
Streaming to a waterfall
movie
First glimpse of Waipi'o Bay from the one-laner along Kukuihaele.jpg
First glimpse of Waipi'o Bay from the one-laner along Kukuihaele
Dismounting for the 25% grade,  .75 mile hike to the valley.jpg
Dismounting for the 25% grade, .75 mile hike to the valley
Hanging out at Waipio Valley lookout.jpg
Hanging out at Waipio Valley lookout
Cliff closeup.jpg
Cliff closeup
We brought along our hiking shoes.jpg
We brought along our hiking shoes
The Muliwai hiking trail switchbacks.jpg
The Muliwai hiking trail switchbacks
Kaluahine Falls 620 feet tall.jpg
Kaluahine Falls 620 feet tall
Water World was shot here for a hitherto unparalleled 180 million dollars... compare it to our movie!.jpg
Water World was shot here for a hitherto unparalleled 180 million dollars... compare it to our movie!
movie
Only 4WD vehicles can negotiate the muddy beach road and the 25% grade back to the top....jpg
Only 4WD vehicles can negotiate the muddy beach road and the 25% grade back to the top ...
and it was a bit of a hike.jpg
... and it was a bit of a hike
It was even steeper than it looks.jpg
It was even steeper than it looks
Exiting the transition zone.jpg
Exiting the transition zone
The steady return climb back up Old Mamalahoa Hwy.jpg
The steady return climb back up Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Climbing past Kohala Mountain.jpg
Climbing past Kohala Mountain
The clouds shrouded Mauna Kea on the return trip as often happens late in the afternoon.jpg
The clouds shrouded Mauna Kea on the return trip as often happens late in the afternoon
Peeking through the slats of the wind barrier.jpg
Peeking through the slats of the wind barrier
movie
Hang loose and Hauoli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year).jpg
Hang loose and Hauoli Makahiki Hou! (Happy New Year)
Photo Sharing:
We have a very simple procedure for sharing these photos -- Individual photos may be posted on team, club and not-for-profit web sites provided they are unaltered and are appropriately credited using the following line of html underneath:
photo: <a href="http://www.steephill.tv">steephill.tv</a>
Once posted please notify us with a link to the photo(s).