Waipi'o Valley is a place to where I wouldn't mind retiring. Around 40 familes live here, many without electricity and phone service. Best of all, it just may be the closest place on Earth today to the Garden of Eden. Imagine steep canyon walls, towering waterfalls, plants and trees of all kinds, a beach, great views...if you can do that, you've imagined this place.

The valley floor is a steep 1000 feet or so from the road that dead ends. The only way down is via 4-wheel drive or on foot. Not too bad going down!

My first stop was the beach. From the bottom of the hill, I hung a right and followed the muddy road to the beach. Saw several pick-up trucks used by surfers, as well as three fellow hikers. Along the coast are several waterfalls, dropping several hundred feet to the sea. Wow! All along the shore are large piles of driftwood and big stones. I had the misfortune of arriving near high tide, so the river that splits the beach was for swimmers only. With my camera, I passed. On the other side is a switchback trail that leads up the ridge and into the next valley. I later learned that the trail was washed out in a couple of spots and closed.

I next headed up the valley, where I met a couple from California. We joined up for a little exploration. On the way, we got to talking with a local resident, an apparent refugee from Silicon Valley who took early retirement. He had one of the last houses with electricity. From him, we learned a little of the valley and what we could do. His recommendation was either to wade up the stream for a couple of hours to Hiilawe Falls, or to head up a side road to the Ti House. Having spent too much time at the beach, we opted for the Ti House.

The Ti House has an interesting story. I have no idea how much of it is true! Apparently, the Bishop Museum owns most of Waipi'o Valley. They lease portions of it out to various individuals and companies. One such company was a sugar company. One of their directors began building an upscale restaurant not too far from Hillawe Falls. It even included a helicopter pad, so the rich wouldn't have to suffer the steep descent. Only one problem.....the planning commission voted the plan down, as they and the residents didn't want the valley commercialized. Several modifications later and the restaurant became a park/overlook with a building for the caretaker. This was approved and construction began. The end result was a almost garish bronzed glass building that was visible from a far distance away...and the building was a restaurant. At the same time, a series of poles made their way down the valley, carrying electrical lines....something that was not OK'd by the planning commision. The end result was the operating permit for the restaurant was denied. The building was deeded to the Bishop Museum, which has let it fall into disrepair.

The good news is that the view from there is stunning. It's a bit of a scramble the last couple hundred yards, but for the most part you follow a dirt road. We were cautioned that the way up is on private land, so we should close any gates we crossed, etc. However, we saw no one.

I was impressed by Akaka Falls. 442 foot drop....we don't have anything like that in Pennsylvania! However, Hiilawe Falls just blows you away. Try over 1100 feet! And what's more, you have Hakaloa Falls right next to it...just about as high!

If you choose to head to the falls, you should wade up the stream. The land on either side is private property and supposedly you're much more likely to meet someone....and often that person doesn't want you walking on their land.