Halawa Valley, Hawaii, United States

5LoveMrEd2 5:00 PM Jan 22, 2023

Amazing opportunity to learn history
This was an incredible cultural experience from the source. Greg is actively in position to carry the torch of teaching people about their true Hawaiian experience. The roots of their family in this valley go back to when there was a thriving community prior to the 1946 tsunami, where all survived due to working together to escape the waters. Fascinating stories from am engaging, charismatic family, I wish I had unlimited time and opportunity to listen. I can't emphasize enough what an amazing opportunity this was. I feel like many other reviews glossed over the reality of the hike to the waterfall. For young, fit hikers, this is probably what I would consider a moderate hike. For anyone whose "fitness" is challenged-- whether by health, condition, agree, etc., I would call this difficult. There is some clambering over boulders, jumping from rock to rock, wading, etc. There's ducking under branches, getting over fallen logs, etc., So requires strength, flexibility and agility. Tanner and Devak are impressively patient and knowledgable. Make sure to do your due diligence on planning the time it takes to drive there and back. The drive is amazingly beautiful, but is a one lane road for the last few miles. There is supposedly a good ahi sandwich available at a place near mile marker 16, but it was closed by the time we got by there on our way back.

5JohnAnn B 5:00 PM Mar 12, 2023

It's a long drive but a beautiful valley
We drove out to Halawa Bay on our own from Kaunakakai town. The route takes you along the waterfront as far as Murphy's Beach and then up into the hills to Puu O Hoku Ranch. Along the way, watch out for Kewala Plantation, Kakahaia Wildlife reserve, The Pukahuwa Battlefield where Kamehameha defeated the island rulers to add Molokai to his kingdom, the Smith-Bronte Landing (or crash) site, the Bellstone, Lihuopae Haiue (difficult to find), the Pukoo Grindz store (great for local lunches and strong coffee), a number of taro patches, the Dunbar Cottages, and lots of beaches, harbours and lookout points. If you are lucky you might see a mongoose (which we did see), deer, and even a nene. The road is paved all the way to Halawa, although you should watch for rock fall on the switchbacks down int to he bay. We regretfully had not booked the hike up to the falls, and the local tropical flower farms was closed the day we drove out. We parked at the end of the road and walked the beaches and waded in the river, and then headed back. If I ever go to Molokai again, I will book the hike and if it's available might stay at one of the cottages at Puu O Hoku ranch because this end of the island is really something.