Waipi‘o Valley Road Access Restrictions
The County of Hawaii Mayor has placed restrictions on the use of the Waipio Valley Road, effective September 19, 2022:
- Open only to Hawai‘i Island residents.
- Closed to all pedestrian use (only closed vehicles).
- Only 4-wheel drive vehicles (no All Wheel Drive) allowed.See the Mayor's proclamation at the link below for more information. Contact Hawai‘i County Public Works department with any questions about the road restrictions at 808-961-8321.
The road down into Waipi‘o Valley is closed to ALL users every 3RD WEDNESDAY of every month due to ongoing rockfall mitigation work, between the hours of approximately 6:30 AM - 3:00 PM. Hikers to or from the Muliwai Trail and Waimanu Campsites will not be allowed to use the road on these days.
The Muliwai Trail zig-zags up the western wall of Waipiʻo Valley, climbing approximately 1,200 feet to the plateau. It then leads across the plateau area to Waimanu, crossing twelve gulches that are up to 500 feet deep, then descends another 1,200 feet into Waimanu Valley. It is only minimally maintained, steep, deeply eroded in placed, rocky, muddy, and slippery when wet. Only experienced hikers in good physical condition should attempt it.
Water is available from streams, but purify before drinking.
Trail and Waimanu Valley are year-round game mammal hunting areas; wear bright colored clothing.
Difficulty: Difficult
Highest Point: 1,320 ft.
Lowest Point: sea level
