Pololu Valley

PololÅ« Valley is one of the most dramatic and beautiful landscapes on the Big Island of Hawai‘i — a remote, mist-wreathed valley on the rugged Kohala Coast, where steep green cliffs plunge into a wild river valley that ends in a sweeping black-sand beach pounded by the open Pacific. Reached by a short but steep trail from the PololÅ« Valley Lookout at the end of the North Kohala road, it rewards visitors with one of the most spectacular views in the islands.

Once home to thriving Native Hawaiian communities who farmed taro in the valley’s flat floor, PololÅ« is now largely wild, its beach accessible by the switchback trail but its valley interior requiring a strenuous cross-country trek. The lookout alone offers a breathtaking panorama across the wild valley and coast — the first in a string of remote Kohala valleys (including the legendary Waipi‘o to the south) that can only be reached on foot. Remote, green and profoundly beautiful, PololÅ« Valley is a treasured natural icon of the Big Island.

PololÅ« Valley is experienced mainly from the PololÅ« Valley Lookout at the end of Highway 270, which offers a sweeping panorama over the valley, beach and wild Kohala Coast — one of the great viewpoints in Hawai‘i. A short, steep trail (about half a mile each way, rugged) descends to the black-sand beach, where visitors walk, photograph and watch the powerful surf. Hikers may continue deeper into the valley on unmaintained trails. The lookout view, the steep trail to the beach and the dramatic black-sand shore are the signature draws. The combination of sheer green cliffs, a wild beach and a remote valley makes PololÅ« extraordinary.

The valley and lookout can be visited year-round, and the views are striking in any weather — mist and clouds rolling over the cliffs and valley can be atmospheric and beautiful. Mornings tend to offer clearer skies before afternoon clouds build along the Kohala mountains. The beach surf is powerful year-round; calmer summer swells make it slightly less dangerous. Year-round, with mornings often clearest, is the way to plan — come early for the best light on the green cliffs and valley, bring layers and rain gear (the North Kohala coast can be wet), and do not enter the dangerous surf.

PololÅ« Valley was a center of Native Hawaiian life for centuries — its broad, flat floor was intensively farmed in taro (kalo), fed by a traditional irrigation system, and supported a significant Hawaiian community in the valleys of the North Kohala Coast. The entire Kohala coast is rich in heiau (temples), fishponds and cultural sites. A tsunami in 1946 devastated the valley communities, and the area is now largely wild. PololÅ« preserves this dramatic valley and its deep Hawaiian heritage, a treasured natural and cultural icon of the Big Island.

PololÅ« Valley was carved into the ancient Kohala volcano — the oldest of the Big Island’s five shield volcanoes, long extinct — by stream erosion and the relentless pounding of the Pacific over hundreds of thousands of years, cutting the dramatic cleft and the string of remote valleys along the windward Kohala Coast. The black-sand beach is formed from volcanic basalt, broken down by the surf. The old Kohala volcano, its deep stream erosion and the powerful Pacific surf created this dramatic, cliffbound valley and its wild beach.

The valley and its stream support native Hawaiian stream life, and the forest of the valley slopes hosts native and introduced birds. The offshore waters are rich — Hawaiian spinner dolphins often frequent the coastline, sea turtles are seen in the area, and humpback whales pass in winter. Seabirds nest on the coastal cliffs. The wild, lightly visited nature of PololÅ« makes it a refuge for both native and introduced wildlife. The lookout and beach trail offer wildlife interest — seabirds on the cliffs, spinner dolphins offshore and the occasional turtle in the surf.

PololÅ« Valley protects a largely wild windward valley ecosystem on the ancient Kohala Coast — stream, native riparian forest and coastal vegetation meeting a powerful volcanic black-sand beach, relatively lightly visited and still intact. The valley stream and its native aquatic life (including climbing gobies), the native coastal plants and the remaining native forest are sensitive to introduced species and visitor impact. Protecting the stream, the valley vegetation and the coastal habitat sustains both the ecology and the wild beauty of PololÅ« Valley.

PololÅ« Valley holds a treasured and sacred place among the icons of the Big Island — a dramatic, mist-wreathed valley and wild black-sand beach on the ancient Kohala Coast, once home to thriving Hawaiian taro farming communities and rich in heiau, fishponds and cultural sites, and now wild and peaceful. Its sheer green cliffs, the black beach and the remote coastal beauty embody the deep Hawaiian connection to the land. PololÅ« Valley is a cherished natural and cultural icon of North Kohala.

PololÅ« Valley is at the end of Highway 270 (Akoni Pule Highway) in North Kohala on the Big Island, about 30–40 minutes from the town of Hawi. The PololÅ« Valley Lookout is at the end of the road — free to visit, with a small parking area (which fills on busy days). The trail to the beach is steep, rough and can be muddy; sturdy shoes are needed. There are no facilities at the beach. The area is remote. Check road conditions before going; come with plenty of water and supplies.

The valley and its beach are managed by Hawai‘i State and County with a light touch. Visitors help by staying out of the dangerous surf (the beach is not a swimming beach — powerful waves and rip currents), leaving no trace (pack out all trash — there are no facilities), staying on the trail to minimize erosion, respecting any cultural sites in the valley, and not disturbing wildlife. The wild valley, the stream and the coastal ecosystem are sensitive. Protecting the land and leaving it wild sustains both the ecology and the beauty of PololÅ« Valley.

The surf at the black-sand beach is powerful and the water extremely dangerous — do not enter the ocean at PololÅ« (the surf and rip currents are hazardous even for strong swimmers). The trail down to the beach is steep, rough and can be very muddy and slippery (wear sturdy shoes with grip). The valley is remote with no facilities or cell service. Continuing beyond the beach into the valley interior requires significant hiking experience and navigation. Respect the dangerous surf, the steep muddy trail, the remoteness and the lack of facilities.

The PololÅ« Valley Lookout and trail are free to visit. There are no formal restroom facilities at the beach. Pack out all trash — leave no trace. Do not enter the surf (the ocean is dangerous). Stay on the main trail to minimize erosion. Respect any cultural sites in the valley. Camping is not permitted. Drones may require a permit. Check with the County of Hawai‘i for any access or use restrictions before visiting.

The historic town of Hawi (with restaurants and galleries) and Kapa‘au (home to the original King Kamehameha statue), the Mo‘okini Heiau (a sacred temple and National Historic Landmark), the Kohala Coast resorts to the south, and the nearby string of remote Kohala valleys lie near PololÅ«. North Kohala and the Big Island define the region. PololÅ« Valley is the dramatic northern anchor of the Big Island’s wild Kohala Coast, easily combined with the historic Kohala towns, Mo‘okini Heiau and the resorts of the Kohala Coast.

Drive to the PololÅ« Valley Lookout at the end of Highway 270 for one of the great views on the Big Island — the panorama over the valley and wild coast is spectacular and requires no hiking. If you descend to the beach (half a mile, steep and muddy — wear sturdy shoes), do not enter the ocean (the surf is dangerous). Come in the morning for the clearest light, bring water and snacks (no facilities), pack out everything, and combine your visit with the historic Kohala towns and Mo‘okini Heiau nearby.