Arrived around 10:15am on a Monday. Parking lot small and 10 minutes only, for those viewing lookout only. There was a welcome tent with volunteer "auntie and uncle", to provide more in depth information, and realistic warnings. You are using trail at your own risk. No cell towers so if you hurt yourself, someone needs to go to tent... they have a satellite phone to call in emergency services. Definitely no flip flops, as trail is very slippery and muddy. So, is it worth it? Yes! Please know your limitations, but if hiking down slowly and have good cardio going back up, it's a good accomplishment. The views going down are beautiful, you get a good sense of nature, and feel the serenity of the beach below. The area is sacred and be respectful. read more

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Great hike to do on the big island! Stunning ocean and valley views. I'd recommend coming early. We came at 8:30am and there wasn't many people, but by the time we were done at 9:45 the parking lot was full. Another great thing about coming early is it will be less hot. read more

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Beautiful view of Kohala Coast! If you're going to hike, park outside the entrance along the road and be sure to check in. If you just want to check out the view and stay less than ten minutes, they'll let you park. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

A beautiful spot on the island of Hawaii! And can be easily accessed while taking the drive around the North side of the island... The view of the water is pretty but I think the really spectacular view here is of the valley. It looks like something literally out of Jurassic Park... Free parking. I'm normally more wordy than this, but I have some catching up to do here on Yelp from our trip... While you are in Hawaii please spend some time and learn the history and the true culture of the Hawaiian islands. As long as you are in the area make sure you check out the local shopping and restaurants! read more

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What a stunning hike. But check the weather before you go. We came here a few years ago and were able to do the full hike down and explore the beautiful valley. It's absolutely breathtaking. This trip weather was too windy and rainy so we weren't able to hike for safety reasons. Will try to go back before we head home. It's a MUST if you're visiting the Big Island read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

This was a pretty fun hike. It isn't hard but we come from hiking mountains in Utah. At sea level, this is much better :) You can't beat the lookout views. Here are some from our little family and friends hike. Half mile up and half mile down. I carried our 3 year old on my shoulders for both legs of it. Was about a 20 mile walk down and 15 up. Walk down is more about going slow so you don't fall. Going up is a thigh burner for sure, skip the stair master that day you go. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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If you're up for a hike and beautiful views then drive up to Pololu Valley, but be respectful of the valley and the sacred land. It's an ancient Hawaiian burial ground, so be considerate of the signs and culture or don't go down. Upon arrival at the trailhead, you'll be greeted by a local 'steward'. They'll inform and educate you about the Pololu Valley and it's cultural and historical values to the Hawaiian people. Have regard for the nature and land, admire the beauty. If you see any rock stacking, the steward says you have permission to knock it down because it's considered graffiti. Come early because the parking is minimal from what I can recall. Very small lot, but people can park outside the lot along the shoulder. We were lucky to get a spot in the lot. The Pololu steward mentioned the trailhead can be slippery and to be cautious going down because people have slipped and fell, especially at the beginning of the hike due to the slippery muddy slope. Furthermore, she mentioned it's about a 30-45 minutes hike down and 45 minutes to forever to hike back up. At the time we went, it was a gloomy and the trail was damp. It wasn't too bad getting down and the views were amayzazing. My friends and I came pretty early so there were very few people on the trailhead and the beach. We took our time going down and taking photos of the views. Once we got down to flat land we walked around and was cautious as to where we were stepping. To the left is, of course, the beach and to the right you can see lush views of Pololu Valley. Deeper in the valley is where there is no trespassing for it is privately owned and where the burial sites are. So don't venture in too far, for you don't want to disturb the site. The beach was nice and quiet with only the sound of the waves crashing in. It was peaceful fareal. Highly recommend NOT swimming because the waves and the rip tides were pretty gnarly. Thank goodness we went early because the temps were pleasant going down. Going back up though, the sun started to shine a bit so it was a hot and sweaty hike. As we made our way up, a lot of people were going down so we had to beyonce to the left so they could pass by. We also took frequent breaks because it started to get a bit tiring going back up due to the incline. Fortunately, we made it back up within an hour. It was a pretty doable hike that I'd say is beginner to mod with incline and some switchbacks. Bring sustenance to keep your body nourished along the way. But, keep in mind that there are no restrooms nearby. Have good walking shoes or sandals and test rocks before stepping on them because some aren't stable. Did I mention parts of the hike are rocky and also muddy depending on when you go. Overall, it was a great hike to a beautiful and peaceful place. Check this valley out but be courteous and also pick up after yourself. read more

Small parking lot. A lot of people park on the street leading up to the parking lot and trailhead. It might be worth it to go all the way up. There are volunteers there that help spread information about the sacred land in the valley. It's a steep hike down and up, and probably around 40min to 1hr if you're not too slow or in a rush. The volunteers there help guide the parking situation, save a few toward the end for hikers, and the few towards the front for people who just want to be there for 10min or so for the view. Overall a good experience, and the views are breathless. Also, zero wifi signal there, fyi read more

Pololu Valley Lookout is a worthwhile spot to admire coastal views along The Big Island of Hawaii. Although you may not find it in a brochure or guide when exploring The Big Island, I'd sort of classify it as an under the radar attraction. And for me, I didn't even know it existed until one of the security guards at the Waipio Valley Lookout mentioned how scenic the views were. In fact, I'd categorize both Waipio Valley Lookout and this Pololu Valley Lookout as very similar...in terms of the types of settings you can expect to discover when looking down upon the lush green tropical surroundings of The Big Island. So...for some mileage details about coming here.... I was staying in the town of Hilo, HI on the eastern section of The Big Island. And for those who may want to know where Hilo fits in the bigger picture...it's situated on the opposite side from Kona (on the western section). From Hilo, Pololu Valley Lookout resides 83 miles north towards the very tippy top of The Big Island. And from Hilo...it takes almost 2 hours to drive the 83 miles. But along the way to this vista point, you can stop at other cool attractions like Akaka Falls and previously mentioned Waipio Valley Lookout so as to not be sitting in your car for the entire 2 hour ride. And finally, when arriving here at the lookout...make sure to drive slowly as the winding road was full of twists/turns and ups/downs among the elevated hills within the town of Kapaau. I showed up at this Pololu Valley Lookout very late in the day in March as the sun was getting ready to set. This was my last activity of the day, and I didn't notice this aspect until I arrived and parked...from the lookout point you can hike down to the beach shores. It looked like a popular activity to really appreciate this secluded part of The Big Island. Had I afforded myself more time to explore, I happily would have trekked down to the beach. And just to mention this...hiking down to the shore appeared simple but getting back up to the vista point requires making yourself climb right back up the cliffside which seemed strenuous. And so for my experience, I only had the opportunity to park, exit my car, and admire the sceneries from high above. I could see the beach waves crashing along the shores within the forestry landscape of the island. Ultimately...I was satisfied with the perspectives from this Pololu Valley Lookout, though, it never gave me that chill factor for having me in total amazement, such as Akaka Falls did (which I visited earlier in the day). In the end, this Pololu Valley Lookout was a unique opportunity to get away from the touristy crowds of The Big Island and sort of appreciate what makes the area so picturesque. Lastly, the parking lot was very small. I actually parked on the side of the road before the hiking trailhead. It is free to visit the overlook and or make your way down to the beach shores. Also, interestingly, along my drive to and from the lookout, I noticed a bunch of hitchhikers with their hands out waiting and hoping for a pickup. That scared me as I wasn't expecting such a remote part of The Big Island to have people walking beside the road asking for a ride. I mean, this section around Kapaau is necessary for having an automobile with you to get around. I just can't understand what these hitchhikers were doing/thinking? Anyhow, for those interested in one of the many sights and attractions to check out while venturing about The Big Island, this Pololu Valley Lookout is a pleasant stop with a refreshing ambiance. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - The view during late late afternoon. - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

We came to the look out just to check it out, and saw quite few people are hiking down, and learned from one of the hiker, say it's quite challenge. We don't have time, so we didn't do the hike. There is black beach down the hill and looks like a good beach area. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

The hike can be slippery but the views are extraordinary Be mindful that this is a sacred place for Hawaiians, so don't litter, and don't use it as a place to build obnoxious rock stacks. Take nothing Leave nothing read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Great hike! I come to the Big Island every year & always do this hike. PARKING: difficult to find spots during peak season & peak hours. There are 5 or less parking spaces up by the trailhead & most people park along the side of the road TERRAIN: Easy/ moderate. The way down is completely downhill & pretty steep. The way back up is (again) steep & if you don't have good endurance you'll probably need breaks. You should have good knees to do this hike. DURATION: The hike is relatively short. 15mins down 20-30 mins up (depending on breaks) SHADE: There's shade from trees for most of the hike DESTINATION/ ENDPOINT: secluded beach/ trees. Water is usually rough so I don't think the beach is swimmable. Great picnic spot though. Lots of trees so bring a hammock if you have one! KIDS: I've seen many people bring their kids for this hikes so it's likely doable for kids read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hammocking at the bottom of the hike - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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I am in love with the big island and its people! This was my favorite beach due to its beauty and turtle life. read more

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Went to watch sunrise. It was gorgeous! Hike was also pretty easy. Only possible complaint is the small parking lot but other than that it's a phenomenal place for a nice easy hike and great view. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Sunrise - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

I visited this valley on both of my trips to Hawaii. It's one of my favorite spots on the big island. The views aren't the best from what's considered the lookout. You should really hike down to the valley. It's a very short hike, maybe half a mile. While it's short, it's very steep. There are great views of the cliffs for most of the hike down. Once you get down there, the valley is beautiful. There's also a black sand beach. Unfortunately, most of it seems to have washed away. It was a pretty big beach the first time I was here, but there was very little beach left this time. There are rope swings and lots of shade to relax and enjoy the peaceful valley. Parking is very limited. Cars park down the side of the road as the lot becomes full. This is a must see while on the big island. read more

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It was a nice view but the rain started coming down. It was too wet and running water did t make for a safe hike down and up. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Gorgeous spot, with an absolutey amazing view. Black sand beach with blue water and beautiful palm trees. Luscious green mountains with a great view of the valley that has a small river that runs through it and wild horses. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - View of the mountain & valley - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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My husband and I went to Big Island for our babymoon, and as I am currently quite large and we are both kind of lazy, we decided to spend most of our time holed up at our hotel, hanging by the pool and the beach. This meant we visited no national parks or active volcanos or any of the other awe-inspiring natural beauty that required hiking or driving across the island. Instead, we asked our concierge to recommend a nice drive, and maybe some pretty sights we could see without walking more than several feet. She suggested heading up the coast from Kona and making our way to the Pololu Valley Lookout. Wow, was this worth our while. First of all, the drive up was gorgeous, even without a specific destination. Such a variety of scenery in the miles between Kailua-Kona and here. We arrived at the lookout around 5:30, before sunset. It was easy to park and there weren't many people around. The view was breathtaking--the ocean on one side, the valley on another, the blue and the green shimmering and vibrant. There was a hike we could've taken had we not been pregnant and/or lazy, but we were happy to get this view without any physical exertion. If you want to do a bit of easy sightseeing while vacationing on this side of the island, I'd highly recommend a visit to the Pololu Valley Lookout. read more

As with all ka 'āina a me ke kai on the Island of Hawai'i, Pololū Valley Lookout is an amazing view of ka hana a ke Akua. It is important to be considerate and respectful of the people living around the area and to drive carefully coming in and out of the lookout area. I had the opportunity to talk story with a local volunteer helping with the parking, he told me about how many visitors they have to rescue from the hike down to the ocean. Some visitors do not realize that the public trail is steep and get badly hurt. We also talked about the Protect Pololū movement and the Pono Pledge. Some gated communities are trying to build on the 'āina that will interfere with local people living there and nearby. He told me about the petition we can willingly sign online to protect the Pololū 'āina. The Pono Pledge encourages visitors and residents to be mindful, responsible, and to respect the land and sea of Hawai'i. www.protectpololu.org www.ponopledge.com I highly recommend visiting Pololū Valley Lookout! read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

I had been reading about this for a while and was debating the trip to that part of the Big Island. I ended up going to Pu'ukohola Heiau National Historic Site, and the park ranger recommended the trip to me. Also, as you learn there, the rocks that built that site came from Pololu Valley. Hawaiians formed a 20 mile human chain, passing these heavy rocks across the island to the site. Once you get close, the road gets very narrow and windy, so be careful. Also, the road dead ends into the valley, so when you start seeing cars parked along the road, just find a spot there. I parked about 0.2 miles away from the look out, but that's no big deal. Be sure to bring water with you. I brought a sports water bottle down and it was very vital. There is a sweet local who puts water out and asks for a donation, so if you partake, please put a little cash in the jar. This is a beautiful experience with breathtaking views. You can get a wonderful view from the lookout, but if you are able bodied, i do believe it's worth the trip down to explore. read more

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Yes, go to the lookout. And if you are relatively fit, go down to the beach. It took us about 15 minutes to get down and we had to tear ourselves away when the sun was setting to go the 15 minutes up. (We were wearing hiking shoes and had poles, but sneakers would probably have been okay, especially since it had been dry and the trail was not at all slippery.) The trail is pleasant, just the right amount of effort to make you feel healthy and OH! the reward at the bottom is indescribable, especially since we had it all to ourselves. The eaves break roughly, the wind was constant but not heavy, the water surface is glassy (and though I looked for whales, I didn't see any). The huge cliffs rose majestically all around and made me feel very small, but mighty. If you follow the little stream away from the smooth pebbly, rocky shore, there is a wetland meadow with herons, egrets and other wading birds. Don't be surprised if a dinosaur comes crashing towards you. It just felt like it was possible! read more

Traveling north on the 270, you will reach the end where Pololu Valley is located. You can hike down if inclined, but make sure you have good shoes and it's not been raining. She: Those white shoes are going to be brown by the time they get back Me: Well, they're tourists...they didn't know. Slippahs are not any better unless you live here. And there's no reaso to dress up, because there's really no one to impress. But if you want to just stop and sit on the wall and soak it all in, by all means, wear whatever you want! This valley has a special place in my heart. As a youngin, I skinned my knee halfway down on my first visit with my uncle and cousins. We also fished that day which was fun! And no, you cannot drive down. Worth a visit! Mahalo! read more

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Being born and raised on the big Island of Hawaii I've grown to adore and respect the beauty and nature of this island On the northern sure of the big island outside of Kohala is Pololu Valley. A great valley for hiking it's natural beauty and visiting the ocean shoreline on the northernmost part of the island. The road to get there is natural, at some points one lane only. But it's worth the drive and the effort to get there to see and visit with mother natures wonders on the northernmost part of Hawaii Island 51/100 Yelp Review Challenge Los Angeles read more

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After parking, you can walk over to the lava rock wall and gaze across the shoreline. However, there really isn't too much to see from just the lookout besides a picturesque coastal view. The TRULY breathtaking & magical sights come AFTER you hike down to the black sand beach and valley. So make sure to wear the right shoes to trek down :) It'd be a shame to come so far only to miss out on the real deal beauty. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Coastal view from the lookout. - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

PLEASE READ! This is not the actual address of the spot, but it wouldn't let me enter the correct spot since there really isn't an address. To get here, take Hwy 270 to Mile Marker 28. Gorgeous spot to sightsee. This spot is lesser known than the Waipio Valley, but is certainly worth the effort to get to. A stunning view awaits you when you get here, and whats even better is that there is a natural trail in which you can get to the bottom of the lookout where a secluded and often empty black sand beach awaits you. The hike to the bottom takes about 20 minutes and there are stone steps for most of the way. It can be a little slippery at spots. There is even a tree swing at the beach where you can relax and enjoy yourself. There were thousands of Portuguese Man o' Wars on the beach when I went so be careful and don't go barefoot. Be careful about entering the water. The surf is heavy and there are often riptides. read more

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A must see. It's a beautiful view. Wear good shoes and light clothing. You start out cool at the top and gets very warm at the bottom. Very steep decline and incrediblly uneven, furrowed path that can be wet and slick in areas The beach has silicon like black sand and large lava rocks in black and red. A bit of a rough surf- play in water with caution read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Start at the top - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Beautiful lookout area that's a bit out of the way and not super near other hot spots for tourists, but the view of the coastal area is great and the air feels very refreshing there. No parking lot- just park on the side of the road. It is a dead-end road. I believe there is a nearby hiking trail, but my family did not participate due to the rainy weather. If you're only here for the views, you'll only need about 5-10 minutes to soak in the scenery and snap some pictures. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Absolutely beautiful and so peaceful! You can actually hike down below and there's a beautiful black sand beach. We actually didn't go down as we were on our way to HIlo with limited time on our hands. There are a lot of visitors here and the parking spaces are limited. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Polulu Valley is incredibly beautiful. It is definitely overshadowed by Waipio Valley but Polulu has a comparably, but different, beauty unique to its own, and the trek is significantly easier. At the top is a parking lot with not a lot of parking, but we didn't have any trouble finding a spot (it looks like Polulu is not as popular as it should be!). The lookout at the top is incredible but the views at the bottom are just as grand. I'd recommend Polulu as a must hike! The Valley gets 5 stars but the Lookout only gets 4 stars ;) Go down! read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

The Pololu Valley lookout is quite a beautiful sight. If you're just staying at the top, you can pretty much just take a few pictures, admire the view, and then that's about it. What's truly special is the valley below, but just a fair warning that it may be a relatively difficult hike for some. The hike itself is not long (maybe about 25 minutes each way), but the first quarter of it is pretty worn down and can be slippery. Be careful on this section, especially on the way down! When you get to the bottom, there are some really awesome swings that people have constructed out of logs and rope. It's a well shaded area, perfect for relaxing or having your picnic lunch (just remember to clean up after yourself, there are no trash cans/restrooms/facilities at the bottom). The black sand beach here is really quite amazing and very wide. The sand is very fine and it's really wonderful to walk along the tide. If you walk inland, the view of the small lake and valley is truly breathtaking! On our way back up, there was a local sitting in the bed of his trunk with a bunch of coconuts that he had picked himself. He was cutting them open with a machete and offering them to passing hikers. Really awesome and heartwarming gesture, and a great experience tasting fresh Big Island coconut water! Compared to the other famous lookout on the Big Island, the Waipio Valley lookout, I would say that Waipio Valley's lookout is a bit better than Pololu's, but when it comes to both the hike and the views/experiences in the valley itself, Pololu takes the cake for sure. Either way, if you have time, definitely visit both! Otherwise, if you had to pick one, I would say do Pololu if you have ~2 hours to spend, or Waipio for just the lookout if you're short on time. read more

It was a rainy day, yet we were still able to take great pictures from the lookout. This is an alternate destination if weather prohibits visibility from the Waipaio lookout. Weather conditions prohibited us from doing the hike down into the valley at either location, but the ride and scenery to get there made for an enjoyable day. read more

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This was a beautiful spot. The hike down was pretty steep and uneven. It seemed to take longer than I thought it would for .9 miles. Many of the reviews say this is an easy hike buy I saw many people struggling coming back up the incline. It wasn't too hard but definitely not just a quick up and down. I didn't plan much time because of the short distance and I wish we would have planned to stay here more of the day. It can get hot so bring water. On the way out we stopped at the fruit stand and got a delicious white pineapple and a smoothie...so yummy! read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Valley behind the beach - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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Great lookout at the top of the hill. Moderate hike down to beautiful rocks, ocean and black sand beach. The lookout at the top is a nice photo shot but you don't have to hike too far down to get an even better shot. I'm in my 30s and don't hike much so this was tiring. But the hike itself is not bad just a lot of rocks to maneuver around. It was a little wet when we came so the trail was a little slippery but we made it through with no issues. Parking: the lot can only fit about 12 cars depending on how people park. So if u make it up there and don't find a spot you'll have to back up and just park on the side of the road. There's no room to do a turnaround. We got here at 8am on a weekday and there were spots. We were done hiking at like 10am and there were still some spots. The hike down was harder because you could slip so just watch where you are going. Probably took like 30mins down. The hike back up was easier I felt like but tiring so we took several water breaks on the way up. On the way down it was cloudy so enjoyed the nice breeze but on the way up the sun was blasting in my face so it def felt a lot longer haha. And I was sweating like a dog with the heat and incline! Bring a towel to wipe your sweat. At the top of the trail there are some sticks, bring one or two with you to help with hiking if needed. Enjoy! read more

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After a frustrating time trying to find my dad's nearby childhood home and the cemetery where my grandparents were buried, one of the locals in Kapaau suggested we continue up the road and see the Pololu Lookout. At least our visit to the area wouldn't have been a total loss. Thanks to this nice man, we saw a gorgeous view of the Kohala coast. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ZSNYNs88M4BUeD5RpUZ5JQ?select=nMjjQIfBdGPWEhtKm0FZBA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ZSNYNs88M4BUeD5RpUZ5JQ?select=q2P3Cv9237sl2nZYdrcR4w http://www.yelp.com/biz_user_photos/ZSNYNs88M4BUeD5RpUZ5JQ/upload?upload_finished=1&successful%5B%5D=VvRhpeVgygw-I9kSl3RbMQ There was a trail leading all the way down to the beach, but it looked a bit too steep for me. We were scheduled to do something uber-fun the next day and I didn't want to risk injury to my bum knee. So, regretfully, we went on our way. Note: Parking's limited. People were parking any ol' way they pleased. It made me feel sorry for the residents who live right across from the lookout. read more

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The view from the top is beautiful! We were told that they filmed some of Jurassic Park 2 here. I thought we were just going to take a couple of pictures from the top of the lookout but I was wrong. My husband wanted to hike down the lookout. I was a bit intimated because it looked really steep and my legs were still sore from the hike the day before. I fought it for a little bit until my husband said that if I keep stalling we would have to drive back at night. I don't like driving around the island at night so I gave in. The hike down is steep so please wear shoes with traction. The way down is pretty easy.... you just have to be careful of skidding down the side. I loved the scenery and the breeze coming from the ocean. The way back up for me was like the stair master from hell! I had to take a minute here and there to catch my breath. It was well worth it though! read more

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This was one of several lookout points that my "Big Island Revealed," app suggested I see when exploring the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. Pololu Valley Lookout is probably another 20-25 minute drive past the town of Hawi (Home of the big King Kamehameha the First statue). Let me say that this place did not disappoint. The view of the untamed coastline was breathtaking! One cannot help take dozens of photos and selfies in front of this area. Parking is limited, so you may need to park a little further down the street like we did. As you make your way to the lookout point say hi to the friendly horses who are nearby. These horses for sure have the best view on the entire island! There is also a trail at the lookout point that leads to a beach below. We did not take the trail, as we had a late start that day. Verdict: An excellent place to take postcard like photos that you can post on your favorite social media site, making all your friends back home on the mainland jealous and green with envy. hehe. read more

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Beautiful view, and well worth the drive up from the Kailua Kona area. Just take 270 (Akoni Pule Hwy) until it ends, and there you are! Make sure to bring sneakers and some water, and you can hike down to the bottom of a very long, very steep trail to a black sand beach at the bottom (if you go during low tide you'll see the beach as it disappears during high tide). The walk down wasn't horrible, but boy I was very aware of my butt and thighs on the way back up. One note: there are no services here. The nearest "services" are 3 miles down the road at Keoka Beach Park, and by services, they mean a shut down bathroom (it was chained off) and a few absolutely disgusting porta potties that appear not to have been cleaned in...years. Your best bet is pulling over on the side of the road at that point. One tourist said, "I'd rather drop my pants and pee right here than go in that thing. It's not like you've never seen a lady's butt before." Oh wait, that was me... read more

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Beautiful view from the top and bottom. Highly recommend the hike. It's worth it. We were short on time and didn't cross over to the other side. Maybe next time. read more

Pololu Valley Lookout - Hiking Near Me - Kapaau, Hawaii

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There seems to be two Yelp listings for Pololu Valley-one for just the overlook and one for the valley itself. In my previous review, I had some tips and descriptions of the hike down itself, so here is my take on just the Overlook. It's easy to find-literally the end of the road, about 15 minutes north of Hawi. Later in the afternoon on a weekday, it wasn't too crowded. Beautiful photo ops of the valley and beach below with sweeping ocean views. Great road trip, but if you're not going to hike down, be aware that you're not going to spend much time here. Read the reviews just for Pololu Valley on my tips down to the beach. Either way, it's glorious and highly recommended! read more

I was a little pressed for time, so I did not make the hike down to the beach. But from the lookout, the view is simply breathtaking. It's a small lookout - meaning parking is extremely limited, there are no bathrooms, or vendors. If you get the chance to do the hike, which is only about 3 miles roundtrip, I think this would be a great little spot. However, I drove all the way from Kona just to turn around and drive back to the city so that I could catch my flight. If you are in the same boat, I would not recommend making the trip out here. There's just not enough to see in a short period of time. Overall, if you have the time, Pololu Valley Lookout is a great little spot. If you don't have time or can't make the hike down and back up (which is pretty steep), I'd say skip this. read more

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