We had a loose plan for the day with our first stop being brekkie at 808 Grindz. We ordered one breakfast to share and look how big it is! We were stuffed. And the macadamia and vanilla syrup was bomb.
Cute little house on our way north.
We headed up towards Waimea, but that downtown looked like a zoo so we kept going to the Waipi’o Valley Lookout, but first we stopped in Honoka’a to walk around their cute downtown. Before we left we tried to find a restroom at several shops, including the gas station and they all said no restroom for us and gave us directions down the hill to a city park. Not very aloha of them. Here we are, finally relieved at the park. 🤣
That view!
They’ve closed the Waipi’o Valley to everyone other than people with a Hawaiian drivers license, but you can take a tour bus down. We had wanted to see the sunset at Mauna Kea but the next valley tour was at 3. Soooo many fun things to do, so we chose the valley tour. Diane at the art studio/gift shop/ice cream place/tour signup told us to get lunch at The Happy Dumpling back in Honoka’a, so we did and we weren’t sorry.
We shared one meal and then crossed the street to their little market because when we filled our waters there we saw they had Spam Musibi, and we had to be able to say we ate one in Hawaii. We also got a Mac nut chocolate pie that was delicious.
At 3:00 we piled into a big van with no windows to traverse the steepest road in the world down into the valley.
Our driver was born and raised down there, and now his two daughters are doing the same
We are talking a narrow windy steep road! It was a little scary, but even worse coming up!
About 100 people live down there. You have to prove through a blood test that you’re at least 25% Hawaiian and they’ll give you land to build your home on.
K told us the story of Hi’ilawe falls and how they were two lovers who couldn’t be together, we when they threw the young man off that cliff, the girls jumped after him, and as she did, she prayed, and because she was royal, her prayers were answered and they became waterfalls, only the boys side dries up when there’s not enough rain.
We stopped twice, once to see the waterfalls and once in a little river.
He drove that van through several of these little river beds, it was crazy!
Pictures don’t do justice, but we tried!
Wild horses we got to pet.
Happy with our change of plans tour.
We waded in the river and successfully skipped 1 rock! Only 1, but I’ll take it!
K said that since they’ve limited who can drive into their valley it’s made life so much easier and better. They let their kids roam freely all day with no fear of someone hurting them. They work together and party together and have their babies at home and fish and hunt and garden and it all sounds idyllic. As long as you like the other 99 people down there I guess?
That van was something else!
The kids go to school in town, which means driving up and down that hill several times a day.
Just driving through a river, don’t mind us.
K told us stories of people whose brakes gave out and their cars miraculously got stuck in the trees so they survived. And he shared these right before we started our ascent.
This valley is sacred to the Hawaiian people. King Kamehameha lived there as a boy, so it’s pretty special to them.
I was nervous.
And one more of the black sand beach.
I probably need a “E Komo Mai” for my welcome wall.
I drove us back to the Royal Kona and Matt took lots of pictures of the sunset.
We dropped our car off at the hotel and walked to find dinner. It was a lovely evening, just the tiniest chill in the air. First stop - Scandinavian Shave Ice. I liked the placement of the ice cream better than Gecko Girls, but their flavors didn’t taste that great. I’m not sure yet where she’s listed, but still no one has come close to beating Wailua on Kaua’i.
I finally tried the Le Hing Powder and I actually really loved it.
We walked some more and found a sweatshirt for Damian. I think I’ve got all my souvie shopping done! We grabbed dinner at a little Chinese place near our hotel and it was so good!
As we walked back we stopped to watch the beach volleyball game. We joked that Matt should take off his shirt and run down and tell them he’s got next game. 🤣 That would be so funny!
We didn’t see our German friends today, so that was a bummer. We first saw them at Auntie Sandy’s banana bread on the road to Hana, then again at one of the swimming holes, then again the next morning on our Pipiwai hike, when we chatted with them and realized we were all on the same flight to the big island the next day. So of course we saw them on our flight and then again the next day when we went snorkeling at 2 Step. We’re hoping to see them again soon. 🤗
Tomorrow we’ll walk to church and see their temple that’s closed for renovations and have some more adventures. I can’t believe we only have a few days left! What a dream!
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