Waipio Valley or Hilo?
 

Traveling to BI in October, staying at 4S...Probably will only have one full day available for sightseeing and traveling a distance from resort. Keeping in mind that we are also spending more time on Maui and Lanai, where we'll have more days available for trips, in your opinion which would be better to see on BI--Waipio Valley or Hilo? <BR> <BR>Your thoughts and opinions are greatly appreciated.

On our visit to the BI we drove around the Island and we were amazed at the beauty of Waipio Valley. I would have liked to have spent more time exploring that area. We didn't spend much time in Hilo.

I haven't been to Maui or Lanai, so I don't know what you're likely to see there, but I have been to both Waipio and Hilo. Mostly your choice should depend on what you like to do. The farmers market in Hilo is fun and interesting. I've gone through the Waipio Valley twice, once on horseback and once in a horse-drawn wagon; I'd opt for the horseback ride as more interesting although they were both enjoyable. The weather in Hilo is most likely to be rainy; my first visit to Waipio was in blazing sunshine and the second time it was a bit cloudy, but it's gorgeous nevertheless. Waipio is tropical rainforest; Hilo is a town. As I said, it mostly depends on what you like to do.

Perhaps you are including too many islands in too short a time?

Waipio valley is closer than Hilo if you are staying at the 4 Seasons. But the drive around the whole island is beautiful. I loved Waipio. It rains alot in Hilo. Waipio is just beautiful and remote. You can do a mule wagon trip around the Valley. It is narrated and quite a bit of fun.

Hi Lori: <BR> <BR>Waipio Valley is amazing. The drive along the Kohala coast is very enjoyable. Akaka Falls closer to Hilo are an easy trek along a meandering walkway. If you like to get off the beaten path, the Waipio horseback ride is breathtaking. And it's an easy drive there from your hotel, no problem.

Thanks for the responses! It is our honeymoon and I don't think it's too many islands in too short a time. Our shortest stay (4 nights) is on the BI and I just have a feeling after flying from the east coast and the exhaustion from the week before, we will not yet be ready to really "explore" as often as we will on other islands. I know we wnat to go to Hapuna Beach...I also would like to see Akaka Falls, but figure if we do the road to hana on Maui we may see beautiful falls there too? I'm confused and that's why I appreciate all of your input. Thanks again!

If you devote one day to exploring the Hamakua Coast, there is no reason why you can't take a morning horseback ride in the Waipio Valley (the preferred way to see the Valley) and then travel down the coast about 35 minutes further to visit Akaka Falls, the Tropical Gardens and the 4 mile scenic side road. All of these sites are prior to the town of Hilo, which really offers little to see except a farmers market and an early morning fish auction. You can take in these sights and do the horseback ride and still be back at the Four Seasons Hualali by 5pm, in time for a sunset swim!

Just wanted to add a rather controversial opinion: I enjoy exploring the Big Island's lush and spectacular Hamakua Coast far more than Maui's Road to Hana. In fact, I prefer driving "upcountry", through Kula, to the Tedischi Winery, for the best scenery in Maui...flower farms, horse country, forests, cowboys, crafts in Makawao, lunch in the middle of a pineapple field at Halimaile General Store.....its a ritual I follow every time I visit Maui!

Maybe I'm confused...is the active volcano in Hilo? That's what I thought may be worth seeing. Sorry if I'm totally off target here.

Lori: Volcanoes National Park is about a 30 minute ride away from Hilo, which is a port town in an agricultural region of the Big Island. While VNP is interesting, I'd recommend Waipio Valley and the drive down the Hamakua Coast instead...but this is a matter of personal preference. If you decide not to take the horseback ride into Waipio Valley, but instead merely look down into the Valley from the scenic overlook (you really can't experience the valley from the overlook), you can then drive down the Coast and visit the earlier mentioned sites as well as driving through VNP...it isn't too much to do in one day and will give you an overview of the sites...but I'd recommend the horseback ride in the Valley.

Lori: One more thing...don't expect to see molten lava spewing forth at VNP...while the Park is interesting (craters, steaming vents, lava tubes, etc) it is largely a barren-looking, desolate area...I prefer the lush green tropical feel of the Hamakua Coast!

My husband and I drove around the island and saw Waipio Valley from the overlook. We saw the travellers on horseback and envied them because the valley is truly beautiful. It was too late in the day for us to take advantage of the horseback trip but I suggest you do it. From what we saw at the lookout it seemed far superior to anything at VNP.

As someone said earlier, it is a matter of personal preference. My husband and I spent 11 days on the Big Island for our tenth anniversary, and we were so enraptured by what we found there that we felt no need to do an interisland hop. <BR> <BR>VNP is fascinating, with lots of hikes for varying abilities, steaming vents, sulfur banks, the caldera and crater, a lava tube you can walk into, etc. Not to mention the lava flow viewing by full moon. Waipio Valley was breathtaking -- we took a 4x4 down into it. It was hair-raising, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. The Hawaii Tropical Botanical Gardens and Akaka Falls were gorgeous and not to be missed. Think about what it most important to you, what you really like to do and see, how you want to spend your time. Feel free to email me if you want more info.

Recently back from three weeks on the Big Island. We stayed four nights in a charming house in Volcano Village and two nights in a treehouse in the Waipio Valley. While the volcano is pretty amazing, I would definately opt for a day in the Waipio Valley. Waipio feels like Eden. The beach is glorious black sand backed by pandanus trees and a few little jerry-rigged surf shacks. The four-wheel drive trip into the valley is definately an E-ticket ride! I'd go for the horseback trip. Unforgetable spot. <BR>Akaka Falls is nice but walking a paved trail to a waterfall feels a little underwhelming after the lush beauty of Waipi'o. <BR>Re: Maui. I agree with the person who recommended the drive upcountry through Kula on the way to Haleakala. This part of Maui is over overlooked and it is really beautiful. I'd recommend driving to funky little Paia and then up the hill to Makawao which is a cute, and increasingly chic, little town. A short side trip up to Olinda takes you on a gorgeous road overhung with huge eucalyptus tree. They smell great and are unexpected. Then I'd backtrack to Makawao and go on up to Haleakula. I actually think that Haleakula is more spectacular than the Volcanos on the Big Island. <BR> Hana is also beautiful- I think worth an overnight stay- and different from Waip'io. Visiting one doesn't rule out a visit to the other. If you do drive to Hana, stop in Keanae on the way. It is a beautiful little peninsula where taro is still raised. Also make sure to visit "Blue Pool", a wonderful and romantic spot with its own private waterfall. (Find directions in "Maui Revealed") Remember that the drive to Hana really is the trip to Hana. Get a good guidebook and enjoy. Stop at lots of waterfalls along the way. Picnic. Explore. The "Seven Sacred Pools" seem to be most people's destination and are often crowded by mid-afternoon. The drive, especially in a convertible, is fun, just know that it will be a long day. <BR>You can kick back when you get to Lanai! <BR>Savor the beauty. Hawaii is spectacular and each island very different.

Used to live in Hilo and would highly encourage you to go to Waipio Valley. I hiked in and still remember it as one of my most memorable experiences. This was almost 20 yrs. ago and there were no 4 wheel drive trips into the valley. The trail goes under waterfalls and includes some pretty awe inspiring views! While I would recommend spending the night I suppose it could be a very long day hike? Hilo is unique and all but nothing like Waipio.

Since you mentioned you're from the eastcoast, you'll appreciate the fact that the "Big Island" is the size of CT & RI combined. Since 7 days is hardly enough time to explore the island and you only have 1 day I'd reccommend a helicopter tour. Take an early one in the morning you won't be sorry!

We just returned from the BI on Sunday. I'm not too sure what there is to see in Hilo; we only went there to go on a helicopter ride and then had lunch. Make sure that if you do a helicopter ride, that they do take you to both the volcano and to the waterfalls in Waipio Valley. We had thought that that was what we were doing, but felt cheated on the waterfalls (we only saw two right in the outskirts of Hilo). But, the helicopter tour was worth it to see the crater, and the lava moving down (though not very much or rapidly). And, if you do go to the Volcano National Park, take 19 around the north side of the island; 11 is not any fun. Plus, 11 took us 3 hours b/w the volcano and Kona Village (next to 4S) and 2 1/2 hours on 19 with a much prettier drive. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip.

The May/June issue of Hawaii Magazine has a great article on the Hana Road and its waterfalls. Worth checking out!

I am originally from Hilo and have been living on the East Coast for 3 years. I would recommend a horseback ride down Waipio Valley and either (1)head to the Volcano in the afternoon/evening or (2) watch the sunset at one of the beaches on the Kohala coast. If you go to Volcano make sure you go to the bottom where the lava hits the ocean (something to see). And if you decide on Hilo, go to Akaka Falls, Nani Mau Gardens, Tropical Bontanical Gardens, Rainbow Falls, Liliuokalani State Park, Suisan Fish Market and Farmers Market. Also stop at Tex Drive Inn in Honokaa for some hot Malasadas--they are ono (delicious).Hope you have a great time on the Big Island.). If you can't make it to either of the places this time, you can always come back again.