Oct 17th, 2009
The Waipio Valley
The Waipio Valley on the Big Island is one of the most important anthropological areas in Hawaii. Know as the Valley of the Kings, Waipio was the seat of royal power on the Big Island and home to 7 Heiau (temples), including Paka’Alana Heiau, one of two Big Island sanctuaries where ‘criminals’ and war enemies could go to find refuge. In Hawaiian mythology, many Gods and Demigods resided in the valley.
In 1778, approximately 2600 people lived in Waipio Valley, tending to fish ponds and farming a wide variety of crops. In times of famine, the valley could always be counted on to produce a bounty of food. The first European visitors described the area as a garden of Eden, with the valley surrounded by waterfalls including the spectacular 1200 ft Hi’ilawe Falls.
In 1819, the Kapu system (the traditional system of rules and regulations) was abolished and soon after the temples were dismantled. The valley’s population also started to decrease, and by 1854 perhaps 300-400 people remained. New diseases introduced by European contact, the growth of the port towns of Kona and Hilo, and the prominence of other towns in the now unified Hawaiian Kingdom all played a part in the decline of the valley’s population. In 1880 a small number of once indentured Portuguese and Chinese laborers settled in the valley to work on commercial rice and koi cultivation.
In 1946 a devastating tsunami hit the Big Island, and water flooded the entire valley. Following the tsunami, only 15-20 people continued to live there. Today perhaps 50 people live in the valley.
Touring Waipio Valley
Visitors are drawn to Waipio because of the scenic beauty of the area. Rental cars aren’t allowed into the valley, and so tourists have to enter via wagon rides or horse tours. An excellent and fun way to experience Waipio and Hi’ilawe Falls is with a Big Island ATV tour on the rim of the valley. RideTheRim offers 3 hour tours along the rim of the valley, taking you through ginger and eucalyptus forests with beautiful panoramic views of the valley and waterfall.
RideTheRim ATV Tours - Waipio Valley Views
