Hi Sarah: The overlook at Waipio Valley was just like a postcard picture! The rain was really coming down on the way up there, but miraculously it stopped before I parked my 2WD car. I ended up hiking down the 4WD-only road. It's true, the 25% grade slope is tough, but for me it was worse going down (always checking my footing on the wet pavement!). Coming up wasn't as bad as I expected, maybe because I'm used to hiking/running. I'm slowly working on a trip report, which I'll post for you soon. :)

ipako, how long did it take for your hike down the 4WD road? I'm interested in visting Waipio valley and have rented (wish me luck!) a 2WD from Alamo.

Monica ((F))

I have rented from Alamo on Oahu several times and have had no problems. In fact we were stuck on the north shore because the car key broke off in the trunk and Alamo was there with in an hour with a new car for us. Took longer to locate a place to make a phone call :-) I think their rental location is easy enough to find. I've always been given a map when I rent a car so it's kind of hard to get lost. Maybe their customer service is hit and miss but I have not experienced any problems with them.

annikany
if you broke your keys off in trunk lock how did you get to a phone and how many times could you get stuck on the north shore if you are on one of the most perfect beaches in the world i wouldn't call that stuck

My DH manages the funniest things. Why would he even use the key! All cars have trunk pops inside the car. Anyway he stayed with the car while I walked to Dillingham base. There an off duty police officer gave me a ride to the place that does glider rides and the man who gives rides let me use his phone. Waiting for Alamo was not torture as you said it's beautiful there.
Now the funny part- I never got any photos there because my camera battery died. (I still use 35 ml). So what do we do- we go back the very next day so I can get photos. What does DH do but pull off into the sand on the north shore! We were stuck again! I could not believe It! Well this time it was a weekend and no one is around for miles. So I am having a small fit. We could not push this car out of the sand. I made the mistake of trying to pull cardboard out of the bushes for traction. Now the bugs are biting me because I smell so good. So I try to wash off a little in the ocean and a huge wave comes in and splashes me right up to the waist. Which was a little scary because I could have been swept right in. So I am not a happy camper at this point. The good thing was 2 lifeguards (very handsome) drive by and explain how to get a car out of the sand and we were on our way.(Who knew you had to let air out of the tires).
Anyway in hindsight I think my husband did it on purpose! Afterall he got to watch quite a performance with me ranting and raving. To this day when I bring it up he changes the subject. What a memory. Life with DH is never boring! :-)

The Big Island has given us one of the worst rental car experiences we have had. We rented from National last year. After waiting in a very long line with inexperienced clerks who moved at a snails pace, we finally reached the counter. The SUV that we reserved was not available. After touring the parking lot for a suitable alternative they suggested that we rent one of the convertibles on the lot. It had NO trunk space but hey, we were in Hawaii and thought that a convertible might work fine. However, on pulling out of the parking lot the brakes squeaked terribly loud and did not work properly. It was late in the day and they had very few vehicles left on the lot. Suddenly, an SUV appeared but it needed to be washed. The computer system wasn't working right and they didn't have the correct rate posted. We came back the next morning and requested that the clerk print out a corrected bill. She did and we didn't have any further problems. However, it seems like you have to watch all rental car agencies like a hawk. It could be just me but they seem to enjoy taking advantage of you if they can. In fairness to Hawaii, we didn't have any rental car problems on Oahu or Maui.

Hi Monica: I think the hike down the 4WD Waipio road takes about 30 minutes. I didn't go deep into the valley, but other hikers said they were going to see waterfalls along the coastline. Might be neat to check out!

The road has some corrugations along the shoulder that make for some traction, but you still need to wear good shoes (I almost slipped in my running shoes). It's basically a 1-lane road, but there aren't many cars coming in either direction.

I've also heard good things about the wagon tours and horseback riding services that take you down there, if you don't want to hike. Still, the hike was great, and I'm sure you'll have a nice time! (Also, check out the 20-min Pololu Valley hike near the Hawi side at the end of Hwy 270 ... the view is equally gorgeous and the trail takes you straight to a black sand beach.)

Thanks ipako for the information! I better get new hiking shoes.

Yesterday I booked my car with Hertz, almost $60 cheaper than Avis (I thought I had booked with Alamo). What's nice is they are not charing any one-way drop off fee like Avis did.

Monica ((F))