「Minivan Arrival」Honolulu Airport ⮕ Waikiki Hotels Exclusive Transfer
Family Photography Pros Oahu • Service • Honolulu • Oahu
Trail & Safety Guide
From lookout to black sand beach - your complete hiking guide
Written by a Local Expert
Leilani Ako🚨 LIFE-OR-DEATH WARNING: DO NOT SWIM AT POLOLŪ BEACH
This warning cannot be overstated and must be taken with utmost seriousness. The ocean at Pololū Valley is extremely dangerous and is not a safe place to swim, for anyone. Local residents and even experienced rescue divers do not enter the water here.
🌊 Powerful Rip Tides
Strong, unpredictable currents are almost always present. They can pull even the strongest swimmer out to sea in an instant.
⚡ High Surf
Waves here are often large and powerful, breaking directly onto the steep, rocky shoreline.
🚑 No Emergency Services
No lifeguards. Remote location. Emergency response takes unacceptably long. No reliable cell service.
Tragically, there have been multiple drownings at this beach.
Don't become a statistic. Admire the ocean's power from the safety of the shore.
Parking, Patience, and Pono
The biggest challenge at Pololū is parking. The lookout lot is tiny and often full, especially during peak hours. Cars often park along the narrow highway shoulder. This can be unsafe and disrupt local residents.
To help, Pololū Trail Stewards volunteer their time to manage traffic and provide guidance. These community members give their time to protect the valley and ensure safe visits. Please treat them with respect and gratitude.
🌅 Arrive Early
Visit before 9:00 AM. This helps you secure parking and hike in cooler morning temperatures.
⏱️ Respect Parking Limits
If you only plan to see the lookout view, use designated spaces with 10-15 minute limits.
🤝 Be Patient & Flexible
If the lot is full, wait or return later. Don't park illegally or block driveways. Follow pono - doing what's right.
Essential Gear for the Valley
This is a remote spot with no facilities. You must be self-sufficient. There are no restrooms, water fountains, or shops.
👟 Footwear (CRITICAL)
Wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots with good grip. The trail is steep, uneven, and covered in loose dirt, sharp lava rocks, and exposed roots.
After rain, it becomes extremely muddy and slippery. Flip-flops, sandals, or open-toed shoes are dangerous and cause injuries.
💧 Water & Snacks
Bring more water than you think you need. Humidity and the steep climb back up will dehydrate you quickly. Pack energy-rich snacks too.
☀️ Sun Protection
Hawaiian sun is intense. Bring a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen.
🌧️ Weather Gear
Kohala weather changes fast. A light rain jacket helps, even on sunny days. Bug spray for mosquitoes too.
👨👩👧👦 For Families
If hiking with young children who can't manage steep terrain alone, bring a child carrier. The trail isn't suitable for strollers.
The Main Trail: From Lookout to Black Sand
The classic Pololū experience is the journey from the stunning clifftop lookout down to the wild black sand beach. While short, this hike offers powerful immersion into Kohala coast beauty. It demands physical effort that's repaid tenfold with unforgettable scenery.
Pololū Valley Trail Facts
Trail Name:
Pololū Valley Trail (also called Awini Trail)
Trail Type:
Out-and-back
Distance:
0.9 to 1.2 miles roundtrip
Elevation:
344 to 420 feet descent
Time:
40-60 minutes total
Difficulty:
Moderate (due to steepness)
Facilities:
None
Swimming:
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS
The First Look: The Majesty of the Pololū Valley Lookout
Your first reward for the drive is the view from the lookout, perched about 400 feet above the sea. The view takes your breath away. Before you, the valley floor unfolds in rich greens, a vibrant contrast to the deep blue Pacific. To the south, the coastline stretches in dramatic cliffs, the eroded remains of the ancient Kohala volcano.
These are the "seven valleys," with Pololū as the northernmost. On clear days, the air is so crisp you can feel the immense scale of the landscape. This shows the colossal forces that shaped it over hundreds of thousands of years. Take a moment here. Breathe in the salt air and absorb the scene before starting your descent.
The Path Down: A Hiker's Story
The trail down into Pololū Valley is a journey itself. It's a steep, switchbacking path carved into the cliffside, dropping over 300 feet in less than a mile. While the distance is short, the terrain makes it moderately difficult, especially the climb back up.
As you descend, the trail surface changes from packed dirt to a rugged mix of embedded lava rocks and gnarled roots. This requires careful foot placement. The path is flanked by a forest of trees, including hala with its distinctive aerial roots and thickets of wild guava. In season, the air fills with the sweet scent of ripening fruit. The hike down typically takes 20-30 minutes, with each switchback revealing a new view of the valley and the black sand beach drawing ever closer.
The Valley Floor: Exploring the Black Sand Beach
Reaching the valley floor feels like stepping into another world. The trail opens onto a stunning black sand beach, a stark and beautiful contrast to the vibrant green cliffs towering above. The "sand" is a coarse mixture of fine black particles and larger, smooth, water-worn boulders. This shows the volcanic rock that has been worn down by relentless surf over thousands of years.
Remember that every grain of this sand is precious. It's illegal and deeply disrespectful to remove any from the beach.
Behind the beach, a dense grove of ironwood trees provides welcome shade and a buffer from ocean winds. You may find simple rope swings hanging from their branches, a playful touch in this wild landscape. The Pololū stream meanders through the valley, meeting the ocean at the beach and creating a small estuary. This is a place to sit, watch the mesmerizing power of waves, and appreciate the raw, untouched beauty of the coast.
The Path Less Traveled: The Awini Trail to Honokane Nui
⚠️ Advanced Hikers Only
This extension should only be attempted by experienced hikers in excellent physical condition. It's rated as "hard" and includes significant hazards.
For seasoned and well-prepared hikers, the journey doesn't have to end at Pololū's black sand beach. The Awini Trail continues south, climbing out of Pololū and crossing the ridge to offer a glimpse into the next valley, Honokane Nui. This is a strenuous, rugged, and far more challenging hike than the popular trail into Pololū.
For the Adventurous Spirit: Is This Hike for You?
Before you even consider this extension, do an honest self-check. This is a difficult hike that should only be attempted by experienced hikers who are comfortable with significant elevation gain, narrow and overgrown paths, and potentially hazardous conditions.
Requirements
- • Excellent physical condition
- • Experience with difficult hikes
- • Sturdy hiking boots essential
- • Extra water and food
- • Never attempt in wet conditions
Additional Stats
- • +2.2 miles roundtrip (from beach)
- • +600-900 feet elevation gain
- • Total: 3.5-4.0 miles from trailhead
- • Total time: 4-5 hours
- • Difficulty: Hard/Strenuous
The Perilous Path Beyond: A Warning
The descent into Honokane Nui is extremely dangerous. The original switchbacks were destroyed by a landslide, and passage now relies on a series of fixed ropes installed by other hikers. These ropes aren't officially sanctioned or maintained.
Private Property Warning: The trail system beyond Pololū crosses private land owned by Kamehameha Schools. Going beyond the lookout bench is considered trespassing.
For the prepared and respectful hiker, the journey to the Honokane Nui lookout bench is rewarding. The journey beyond carries unjustifiable risks and intrudes into private and sacred spaces.
🗺️ Complete Guide
Overview
Getting started
Trail & Safety Guide
History & Culture You are here
Geological & cultural stories
North Kohala TownsHāwī & Kapaʻau exploration
📊 Trail Difficulty
Main Trail (Moderate)
- • Short but steep
- • Well-marked path
- • Suitable for most fitness levels
- • Family-friendly with caution
Extended Trail (Hard)
- • Experienced hikers only
- • Significant elevation gain
- • Overgrown sections
- • Dangerous beyond lookout
🌦️ Weather Conditions
- Dry Conditions Safe to hike
- Light Rain Use caution
- Heavy Rain/Wet DO NOT HIKE
🚨 Emergency Info
Emergency: 911
Cell Service: Very limited
Nearest Hospital: North Hawaii Community Hospital (45+ minutes)
Always tell someone your hiking plans and expected return time.
