At the end of Highway 270 in North Kohala, past the quaint towns of Hawi and Kapa'au, you'll find the Pololu Valley. Much less well known than the Waipio Valley located 12 miles further south and east, the Pololu Valley is the first of five majestic valleys that stretch along the coast to the southeast.
The Pololu Valley was once inhabited and home to several wet taro plantations. The plantations are long ago abandoned and overgrown. Pololu is a popular, yet somewhat remote, destination for campers.
Views of the coast, the black sand beach and valley beyond are obstructed from the lookout. The best way to see all that this area of the Big Island has to offer is to hike down the four mile trail to the valley floor 1000 feet below you. The hike is moderately difficult with a rocky path and very slippery following rain. The climb back up is strenuous. Allow yourself about two to three hours for the hike.
The path takes you through groves of hau and ironwood trees, marshland and across the valley stream which, depending on recent rainfall, may be easy to cross or even set off from the shoreline by a sandbar. You'll then arrive at the valley's black sand beach, a favorite spot for family outings.
