Past the quaint and cute villages of Hawi and Kapa'au, you will find that the road narrows and eventually comes to an end at the scenic Pololu Valley overlook. Not everyone chooses to descend the steep and rocky trail to the black sand beach below. It is worth your time to stop and hike down to the beach and the forested valley below to fully explore what this beautiful and remote area has to offer.
The trailhead is very easy to spot since it is located at the very end of the road where it can't be missed. The trail is rocky and somewhat uneven, but the slippery rocks can make the hike treacherous if it has been raining recently. You descend about 1,000 feet down into the valley on just four steep switchbacks.
The views on the hike down are absolutely spectacular and numerous photo opportunities exist on the trail. You will be able to see views of the surrounding valley and beach while on the trail. Often times, you will see wild horses towards the back of Pololu Valley. If it is clear, you should be able to see the nearby valleys like Honokane Nui Valley. It should take you approximately 15-25 minutes to reach the bottom of the valley depending on how fast you hike.
Take the time to explore the beautiful black sand beach by having a picnic or playing in the sand. The water is usually too dangerous to swim in so don't bother trying to swim here. Also, explore the path in the forested area behind the beach. The path itself is surreal and fun to walk on, but ultimately it leads to the trail that takes you to the ridge at the top of Pololu Valley leading into Honokane Nui Valley.
If you have the energy, take the trail up to the ridge of Honokane Nui Valley and Pololu Valley. The trail has some great views that you won't see from the Pololu Lookout or the valley below. However, this trail is often very still and humid because of the dense canopy. You will often see decaying guava and tons of small fruit flies on the trail. The trail can be unpleasant, but it can also be immensely beautiful and rewarding! The trail ends at a gate, and about twenty feet away you will see some amazing views of the Honokane Nui Valley and the other surrounding valleys and a tiny island off the coast. Plan at least one hour to reach the top of the ridge from the Pololu Valley floor and an hour back.
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