This is an already long post with lots of pictures. Take one look at this place and you can see why. This side of the island is pure tropical paradise. I would love to go back and hike to the falls and the black sand beach...ahhhhh...so beautiful. Instead we went on a private horseback ride with a tour guide down in Waipio Valley. Didn't plan it that way but as luck may have it this island is not very touristy and I guess they were slow for a Monday. Score for us.
We were a little early, even after our 1 hour plus drive to the other side so we admired the fruit. Fruit trees everywhere you go. Just look at those bananas!
WOH Ranch (Waipio On Horseback)
I wish I didn't love animals so much. They sure can win me over. If I could have snuck this ranch dog off I totally would.
The only way into the valley by way of a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It's steep grade of 25% (if it were classified as a road) would be the steepest road of its length in the United States. We went down in a huge van very, very slowly. I thought I'd be more scared but the view had my complete attention and any anxiety I had about going down was completely gone when I handed Ty the camera. Lucky guy had shotgun with the window rolled down while I was in the back so he was on picture duty.
{Ty's horse named Pono}
{This is my horse Journey. He's been doing this tour for over 20 years.}
{Ty's horse named Pono}
{We weren't joking around.... but I don't remember that river looking that deep}
We got an awesome hands on tour from our guide Dava who showed us all the different edible fruits and flowers. The honeysuckle below was my favorite to taste.
Dava was telling us about the 100 wild horses that supposedly live in the valley and that we would be extremely lucky to see one. At the very end of our ride, one came out of nowhere and started following me!
{Lotus gift from the little local girl Elena}
{Dava}
After our ride we went back to the Waipio lookout point. A much better way to photograph than during a bumpy ride.
In the 1800s many Chinese immigrants settled in the Valley and even at one time there was a jail & a post office. But in 1946 the most devastating tsunami in Hawaiian history swept the valley. Today there are only about 50 people who live there with no running water and no electricity. They enjoy their simple life and do not like people trespassing on their land. A bit glad we went with a guide. Some crazies live back their.
We made a wrong turn and ended up at this monument.
From Parkerranch.com....Between 1942 and 1945, Waimea was home for 50,000 Marines from the Second and Fifth Marine Divisions and the V Amphibious Corps as they prepared for the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. Parker Ranch played an integral part in hosting the Marines at what became known as Camp Tarawa. A monument to the Marines who trained here can be seen along the highway near the entrance to the Ranch Historic Homes attraction.
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