Located on the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island, Waipio Valley was once inhabited by several 100's of Hawaiian families before the '64 Earthquake in Alaska initiated one of the largest tsunami's Hawaii has ever seen.
After the tsunami hit, many homes were washed out to sea taking many lives along with it. Some people returned and rebuilt their homes. But most of the remaining property is covered with washed out roads that are now barely even a visible one lane road.
This is the one lane road that takes you down a steep grade from the top of the mountain into the bottom of the Valley. Only 4-Wheel drive vehicles are allowed down this road. At the bottom of the mountain you'll see the remains of 3 rental cars that some tourists took down the steep road without 4-Wheel drive. The cars are completely totaled and rusted over. Looks like a tow truck won't dare to go down and get them.
Thats just one of the many waterfalls.
This use to be a road...now its a river, and yes, you have to cross a bunch of these to get to other places within the Valley.
Most people who still live here are Taro Farmers. If you've ever been to the island of Kauai, this Valley looks similar to Hanalei.
This is what the beach looks like at the very bottom.
And you can even find horses! They are extremely friendly as you can see.
Another Taro Patch. Taro can grow in 3' of water or on dry land, so it just depends on what flavor of taro you'd like to produce which will determine where to plant your taro.
More horses.
