Waipi'o Valley safety (BI)
 

We are planning on visiting the Valley either on the way to or from the volcano. Is it closer to Hilo side or Kona side and how far from the closest side? Would it be unsafe to have our luggage in the car while we take the tour? We plan on staying overnight in the volcano area so would have our luggage with us. Has anyone been in this situation and have a suggestion? If it's not too far from Kona or Hilo side, would it be wiser to make it a separate trip without the luggage?

The valley is closer to the Hilo side -- an easy drive from VNP.

Leaving luggage in your unattended car is never recommended...

Agree with Auntiemaria, would do the ~90 ((o))minute drive from Kona early in AM for Waipio Tour. Afterwards you could head south towards Hilo and possibly check out Akaka Falls, Rainbow Falls and more in Hilo and for another rental-contract-dependent return route, you might consider Saddle Road past Mauna Kea visitor's center.
:S-
Another post-Waipio option would be to check out Hapuna and or Mauna Kea Beach if space available, while on the return to Kona.

John
How does the beach openings work? How early do you need to be there to get a spot? Which beach tends to be more crowded?

Hapuna Beach has free beach access parking and alot of spaces. Mauna Kea hands out passes in the AM, with less beach access spaces. Suggest you try Mauna Kea first and if no luck, go to Hapuna. :S-

Ashley24: We arrived at Mauna Kea at 9am and got the 11th (out of 30) possible beach passes. MK is a beautiful beach with great snorkeling.

We only stayed until about 12noon and then went next door to check out Hapuna. It looked nice but there was no shade!!!

I agree with JohnD. Go early to MK and if you can't get in, then go next door to Hapuna.

Betty

Are the passes handed out at the entrance to the beach or in the hotel lobby? Sorry if this is a dumb question...I have never heard of a beach handing out passes before!

Ashley--the passes to the Mauna Kea Beach are handed out at the "guard house" at the entrance to the property. A weird system, but the beach is worth the effort!

Thanks!

When we left MK, somone was at the guard house and the guard was explaining that there were no beach passes available. I waved mine before the other car left. He was lucky to get mine. So maybe, depending on the time of day, you might want to hang out for 5-10 minutes to see if someone leaves. Obviosuly if it's early in the morning, I think you're out of luck.

Betty