Hawaii Part 11

Waipi'o Valley

Waipi'o Valley is by far one of the most beautiful and fascinating places that I have ever been. WV is a world of its own. There is only one very very steep one-lane road that can get you down into the valley. A standard car is not going to get you down there though. In fact, a few people have tried and not survived. One man actually jumped from his car and managed to survive, but his car did not. The road is a 900-foot vertical drop. Some 4WD trucks can make it, but your best bet is to hike it, which is super difficult. The valley was wiped out by the great tsunami of 1946. The valley was deserted up until the 1960's when a few interesting characters who wanted to remove themselves from society headed down into the valley in seclusion. Currently there are around 50 people who populate the valley. Most of the men who live in the valley go by the name of Dave. There are a lot of angry people down in the valley who have turned their back on traditional society. Police do not head down into the valley, and there are many arguments that the residents handle on their own in very violent manners. There is not any water, sewage or standard electricity. The valley is a breathtakingly beautiful place. Many people head down to take in a piece of its beauty and tranquility. It is a shame that the locals down in the valley scare most visitors away. There is a beautiful mile long black sand beach at the bottom of the valley. This land takes your breath away and truly makes you appreciate the world around you.