Hālawa Valley Reviews

Half the fun of get to the valley is the drive. I was really glad that my husband was at the wheel. The road is one lane with two way traffic.
There are many hairpin turns when you really couldn't see if any other cars were coming but the view was breathtaking. We went to see the black sand beach and took a little hike. We meet some children that had been playing along the way and they were so friendly and stopped and chatted with us. I think they thought we were pretty funny. It was a very, very wonderful day.

Road signs threatened a bad road, but it was fine! So glad we ventured to the end of the road and beautiful setting.
Stop at all the wide spots and take in the views along the way. Drive to the very end of the road where there is a much bigger parking area (and picnic tables) than the first place you see where there are only a few spots to park.
But do take some time in the old townsite of Halawa where there is an old church with trees now growing in it. great photo ops.
The prettiest part of the drive is through the Ironwood forest, near the end of the road.

While the two guides were pleasant enough, for $75 each, my partner and I were tacked on the end of a small cruise ship group, meaning there were 30 in total doing the hike. If there was any commentary, it was not able to be heard by most of the group. The walk was excruciatingly slow, as many of the guests were over 60 and found the hike and river crossings challenging - even though the tour group provided walking sticks and carried in their lunch boxes! Not exactly the hike we were expecting and would have preferred to know this was happening so we could chose an alternative (less crowded) day. The waterfall was beautiful but felt 'crowded' with that many tourists.

This is where fresh water meets the ocean, and creates a sanctuary for kids to play safely in the water.

I respect the fact that these people want to live there and keep their culture alive. But the older man went on and on and on and pretty much told us nothing. The son then gave a demonstration of how to make poi. He preached the whole time, and quite frankly, I think he has a racket going on. People pay to come in and go on a hike, and he gets to do the Peter Pan thing while his wife raises the kids on the mainland. We were trapped here, watching the cats walk through the poi. This expedition was included in our cruise. Do not waste your time or money.

We made the beautiful drive to the remote north eastern corner of Molokai for a hike to Halawa Falls we arranged with Kalani Pruet of Halawa Tropical Flower Farm. Kalani's 13-year old son and his dog actually led our little group of 6 on the hike to the falls! Then Kalani showed us all around the farm and made us delicious smoothies with the fruit he grows right there on the farm. He's an artist who designs arrangements with the flowers he grows. It was a great experience and we paid half what was being charged for the "cultural" hike I saw otherwise advertised. If you are going to Molokai, get in touch with Kalani! http://www.molokaiflowers.com/

We arranged a guided hike to the falls at Halawa Valley through our B&B hosts Tom and Karyl in Maunaloa. Eddy Tanaka who is a musician also has a Facebook page and can be reached at 558-8396. He lives between mile 20 and 21 on the east Molokai road at the home with the stone bottle wall. Eddy hopped in the car with us and we drove another few miles along a coastal single lane paved road to reach our destination. The only way to take the hike through private land to the falls is on a prearranged trip. His fee is $50 per person and worth the price. Eddy is a knowledgable and interesting guide who loves to share his cultural history stories about the land, people, birds and plants. The history of original settlement cannot be confirmed in history books and Eddy tells it as he has been told and understands it. We learned about the destruction of the area by a tsunami which wiped out the settlement and the taro crops although no one was killed. Today there are just a few people who have restored some remnant taro ponds and who conduct educational public tours. Eddy talks as we walked which is the kind of tour we wanted though we did meet Philippo who was very warm and hospitable. There were just five of us along with Eddy although there were about another 20 people with different guides and tours. The hike up the valley took us through a wild cherry forest (lots of ripe juicy fruit to sample) and then through a mature rainforest. By in large the trail was good but there were some muddy/wet areas at the start and some areas where you had to climb over fallen logs or under brushy dead falls so sturdy walking boots are recommended. The trail could have been easily cleared of the tree obstructions which would have made it more enjoyable. There was also one river crossing which was a bit of a challenge over the boulders and through the water in bare feet but Eddy helped us through it. Suggest you bring along aqua socks to make this easier. The falls were magnificent and the swim in the River pool refreshing. Come with your swim trunks on as there are no change or washroom facilities at the falls. Walking sticks were an asset along the trail and bring a lunch to enjoy at the falls as well as a bottle of drinking water for the trail. Arrange this hike for sunny weather as the east Molokai road can be subject to closure in heavy rains. Rains also cause the river to swell so for this reason the tour is subject to cancellation in wet weather. We met our guide at 10:30 and completed the hike by about 3:30 so plan on a full day for this activity. Payment is by cash only. Highly recommended!

Beautiful beach of dark sand that was a site for a battle between the Hawaiians and Tahitians...found out about this from the Culture Hike we took through the Halawa Valley to Mo'oula Falls with the Solatorio family. You'll get a talk on local culture and history. During the hike we learned about the native plants and trees, worship sites, birthing rocks and burial grounds. Lunch and swimming was at the foot of the beautiful falls. Small parking area at the end of the highway, which is more torturous than the road to Hana, but great views and our favorite place on Molokai. Not the best beach for swimming however due to the many rocks.

Our guide, Kalani Pruet of Halawa Tropical flowers and Falls tour was amazing, His part of the world is "off the grid" and he really knows the way to the falls and makes the entire trip very interesting, pointing out hundreds of interesting things along the way, both natural and historical, we are a couple in our 60's and he let us set the pace and that was really appreciated, after the tour and the dip in the pool we were given a tour of his flower farm and then the final and my favorite part of the trip was the tropical fruit smoothies, made with a solar powered blender !! If you take the Hike, take it with Kalani, his prices are the best and we had another couple with us that did not take the tour, he gave them free smoothies also.
Service and the Aloha spirit beyond.
Thanks Kalani for making our day.

Eric & Dorothy

This is a scenic drive well worth the several hours. We stopped at several spots along the way to relax and enjoy the view. We had booked the hike to the falls, but were thwarted by rain earlier in the week and the trail was closed. Still worth the drive. Bring a picnic lunch so you can enjoy--there is no place to pick up supplies along the way once you pass mile marker 17.

We spent the day in Halawa Valley while visiting the beautiful island of Molokai. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic all private tours were canceled to hike up to the waterfalls which was a bummer. We still enjoyed the day walking in the surf where the river meets the ocean.

The drive to this cove at the bottom of the cliffs is truly an amazing ride. Narrow road, lots of curves and switchbacks, but the views are absolutely spectacular. A must see. The other must see view is Pāla'au State Park (Kalaupapa Lookout). Since you are there you might as well take another short walk to phallic rock...

Unfortunately, an owner or designee collects $60 per person each morning at 9 am to take you on a guided tour of this amazingly beautiful waterfall. There are so many waterfalls in Maui that we saw for free, we decided not to spend $120 to see another waterfall. The photos of this waterfall from a distance are beautiful.

Our guide was very knowledgable and helpful. The falls was absolutely beautiful. The hike was about an hour to the falls and only challenging when we had to cross the river because It had rained the previous days and was really flowing fast. We spent some time at the beach at the end of the hike. The views of the falls from there are beautiful, too. And the drive to the hike also exceptional scenery. This was one of the highlights of our visit to Molokai .

We booked ahead of time (by phone) for the hike with Greg, as the hike goes through his family's property to the falls. Greg's wife answered all my questions (on the phone) & was really helpful. We didn't have to pay for the hike until we arrived, in case it was cancelled due to poor weather. Like others have said, the road to the Halawa Valley has breathtaking ocean views, & then you descend down into this amazing valley. It was a bit confusing knowing where to meet Greg (literally beside porta-potties part way down a steep section of the road - if you get to the beach parking lot, you've gone too far).
We had to wait until a bit after 9 for Greg to get there, but he was chatty & friendly from the moment he arrived, giving us lots of info about Molokai culture. We were blown away by the conch-blowing, traditional greeting & welcome given by Greg & his dad, Pilipo. You can tell they truly believe in what they are doing - helping us tourists have a deeper, more meaningful & genuine Hawaiian experience by sharing some of their cultural traditions. We felt honoured & grateful to participate in their greeting ceremony.
We did the hike to the falls right away in the morning. It had been really rainy for several days beforehand &, consequently I think this hike changed from what others might have experienced as an easy hike to a quite challenging hike, especially trying to cross the two streams/rivers - trying to feel our way across the slippery boulders in the water was really difficult because we couldn't see into the water (it was too muddy) & the water was up to my knees & was very forceful. We had good hiking footwear on, but found the rocks on the banks of the streams really slippery as well. Much of the path was very muddy due to the rain & we were up to our ankles in mud at times. That being said, the hike through the rainforest is amazing & the waterfall at the end makes it all worthwhile, especially swimming in the water. Greg was really helpful throughout the hike, cutting me a walking stick & helping me through all the slippery sections. He passed on lots of interesting information on the hike, as well.
Once we returned from the hike, Pilipo & his apprentice talked to us about some of the history of the area. It was fascinating to hear about the tsunami. All-in-all, it was a great day & well worth the money we paid for the experience ($60 each), as we were there 5-6 hours in total & had a great guided hike on their private property.
After you get back to the parking area, keep going further down to the road to a small parking area & walk through the brush to the beach. It's great fun to watch the locals surfing in the big waves from the sunny beach where the waves are calmer.

I own two condos on the island and love Molokai. I travel there about twice a year and usually try to stay for a month or two

If you are visiting Molokai then you have already decided to visit the side of Hawaii that most tourists never see, Hawaii as it used to be. Molokai is truly the “island that time forgot”. You will find no stop lights or movie theaters on the island. There are a few places where lodging is available, several small restaurants that serve good food at decent prices, and some shops for essentials and simple gifts. People are generally friendly, although tourists are out of the norm for locals, and so are somewhat treated as a novelty. But Molokai has an unspoiled beauty that is hard to find on other islands. You can walk on white sand beaches for miles and be surprised to encounter another person (Papohaku Beach, west end) or hike through a dense tropical rainforest in the Halawa Valley on the east end and find yourself swimming in a pool at the base of a waterfall with only your private tour group to talk to. Molokai is quite unique, and the Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike should not be missed if you are visiting the Island.
I lived on Molokai from 1993 to 1995 and had the opportunity to hike in the Halawa Valley to the falls several times. The property owners in the valley allowed travel across their property until litigious visitors who got injured began suing the property owners. Understandable then those owners began posting “No Trespassing” signs and started shoeing people away. At the present time you can still hike the falls if you know someone who lives there and receive the appropriate permission, or you can book a tour with the Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike. I did this in August of 2018 along with my wife and 2 children aged 7 and 10 years. There were also 5 others in our group, all from places around the world. This tour is owned and run by a lifelong resident of Halawa Velley, Anakala Pilipo Solatoria and his son Greg, who are wonderful hosts.
We flew from Honolulu that morning on Mokulele Airlines, the only one that could get us to Molokai early enough for the hike. We arrived at the airport, picked up our rental car, and drove the 75 minute drive to the east end and the Halawa Valley, stopping briefly in Kaunakakai for breakfast at Kanemitsu Bakery. We arrived on the east end at 9:00 am and met Greg Solatorio and the handful of others in our tour group. For the hike you will want comfortable hiking clothes over a swim suit, perhaps a change of clothes and a towel, all in a backpack. Closed-toe water shoes or sturdy water sandals are needed; flip flops just will not work as you will be walking over slippery rocks, crossing streams, and hiking on paths with tree roots trying to trip you up. Don’t forget sunscreen and mosquito spray, and take some with you in your backpack because swimming at the waterfall will wash off your initial application.
The hike begins by meeting Greg at the Halawa Valley Beach Park where cars are left behind. The group then walks up the valley and into the dense forest toward the family home where we met homeowner and lifelong valley resident Anakala Pilipo Solatorio. An ancient Hawaiian greeting ceremony is next to welcome visitors, and then we gathered on his porch for a discussion of the early Hawaiian ancestors in the valley and what life was like there in earlier times. There was also much discussion of how this early history is often warped and twisted to fit modern tourism interests. Greg then took our group further into the forest and up the valley for an incredible hike to Mo’oula Falls. There we swam, ate snacks, and “talked story” for about an hour before heading back down to the family home. We spent more time talking with Greg sharing many interesting stories about the valley and its history. Soon afterwards we were hiking the short trip from his home back to the cars. I was quite surprised to see that it was now 2:30 in the afternoon, and that we had been on this adventure for a full 5½ hours.
We did see some other Molokai “attractions” that day, stayed overnight, ate some good food, and the next day flew back to Oahu. We spent 2 weeks in Hawaii, with only 32 hours of it on Molokai. For me it was nice to see the island again after living there so long ago. To be sure, Molokai is far different than most everywhere else in the Islands, and Molokai is not for everyone. But the Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike is an experience not to be missed. The valley is beautiful, remote, pristine, and the Mo’oula Falls are magnificent. To be able to hike to the falls, swim beneath it, and spend time with Greg Solatorio is something unique that has produced lifelong memories for my family. Greg and his father are warm and caring people who welcome visitors with open arms. I highly recommend this tour.
Paul McCaughey

We are staying in Moloka'i for five nights and each day take in different areas on this beautiful quiet island. Today we drove slowly along the curved and in some places single lane 'highway' with cliffs that at times scared the life out of me! Thankfully there was very little traffic, we met up only once with a car. At the highest point just before you descend down towards the beach area where some of the early Polynesian explorers first landed, there is a small viewing area. We stopped the car so I could ground myself and got out to look over the valley. You could see the waterfalls from this area and take in the sheer beauty of the place. Once we made it down the state road ends, but you just continue in a bit further on unpaved road through gates and arrive at the cove. We arrived on the day of a storm, so flash flooding meant the hike to the waterfalls was cancelled-also, we forgot to bring closed toe hiking shoes-a must for Hawaii! We spent an hour sitting on the beach-to the right of the parking area and around a bend is a lovely small beach. As someone has mentioned, be sure to bring provisions if you plan on staying for a few hours. If you are at all afraid of heights be warned-but I am glad that I stuck it out as the area really is stunning.

The road to the Halawa Valley is very scenic but the beach at the end is pretty rugged. But two families living on the private land in the valley will take you on a walk up to the waterfall and tell you stories of the ancient Hawaiians farming taro in the valley before being decimated by a tsunami. A rich cultural experience and a nice hike to a pretty waterfall.

If you are an explorer, enjoy driving narrow winding roads to the ends of the earth this is a trip for you. The beach area at the bottom is gorgeous, wish we had brought our suits. There are a few negative reviews concerning the hike to the falls. We didn't do the hike. You can see it from several vantage points along the road and it is breathtaking. Please bear in mind this trip is probably not for everyone. It is scenery, scenery, scenery on a road that is an adventure culminating in at a relaxing beach, with more scenery, scenery, scenery.

This was not only an adventurous hike to a beautiful waterfall but also a fabulous cultural experience. My husband and I learned a lot about the real history of the area. It was a very interesting presentation before the hike, given by the son of the last living resident. You’ll meet the grandfather, the son and grandson.
At the waterfall you can swim, eat your lunch, relax before heading back.
The drive out there is also a beautiful, scenic drive.

The drive starts to get really interesting as of Murphy Beach at milemarker 20. Nice little road uphill with great views of the valley. There's hardly any traffic so easy to pull over and take pictures. The tall green grass on both sides of the road makes it a great drive. No need to worry about the road conditions. Perfectly safe. People from Southern Europe or south america will not think it is narrow or dangerous at all.

We drove here in the middle of the day, it takes about maybe 30 minutes going down, you must be very careful driving this road since it is only a one way road, meaning you have to share it with other drivers, (yield to them) Take your time and do not rush, stop and take pictures. You can actually see the Valley and the Waterfall from far. Once you are down it is so beautiful and so peaceful it is a work of art from God.

We took this hike in February 2011. You can arrange it through Molokai Fish and Dive or through the Hotel, or you can arrange it yourself by calling 808-551-1055, or you can gather at the tree with the sign on it across from the picnic pavilion at the end of the road and pay with cash (making your own arrangements or just showing up is cheaper) at 9:00 a.m. (not Sunday). We were led by Brandon, a student of Pilipo Solatorio, and received an excellent cultural tour as well as a great swim in the falls!

The drive to Halawa beach makes the road to Hana drive seem like a freeway. Blind switchbacks narrow slow road. Be careful. The beach is very pretty, unswimable when we were there, and the valley hike was too muddy. But all very scenic.
If you want to hike to the falls call Greg.

This business was total scam !!
Booked with them online for waterfalls hike for me and husband, had to park at park then walk mile to business instead of parking at their property total bs except to prolly for legal issues, had to walk down some isolated dirt road away from car to some run down shack where I was then forced to listen to anti American nonsense for over an hour about how these aholes who had been saved at Pearl Harbor hate America, then was told water to high at stream can’t cross no water fall tour Really WTF they keeping my money for waterfall tour and idiots have no bridge to cross when then collecting money from people to do TOTAL SCAM this family with ITALIAN name solarno

Our longest adventure on Molokai was a morning drive east to the end of the road at Halawa Beach. The drive was gorgeous, winding and constantly ascending, before rapidly descending into Halawa. The roads are very well cared for, with state workers keeping them clear of rock slides.

At the end of the road, you'll see the famous green church on your left, and a public restroom house on the right. The paved road ends as you enter a short dirt road and parking lot at the beach. The area is beautiful; it's a simple parking lot with space for tents and camping, a rocky beach that leads to the river, pond, and out to the ocean on the other side of the breakers. This isn't a white sand beach; it reminds me more of a mainland river system. The water was cold, and crystal clear. There are birds and wildlife everywhere; if you're lucky you can see nene here. It's well worth the drive, but in some ways, I thought the journey was more fun than the destination. This is a truly a hidden gem of a place since it's so difficult to get here.

If you think spending $75 for a short hike is reasonable, then this trip is for you. There are many beautiful waterfalls in Hawaii, but this it the only one that costs you a days wages for you and your friends to visit! This one is not that impressive. I visited the falls a few years ago on my own, but was told this year that this was private property and I could not visit without a guide. Molokai is a wonderful place and I highly recommend you visit this island, but there are many other spectacular sights you can visit on your own for free.

This is a truly educational, fun and interesting hike. My sons (12 &14) and I drove the long & very narrow road to the most northeastern corner of Molokai not really knowing what to expect or where we were even going for sure, but it was worth it! You can't go wrong - just keep driving to the end of the road! We met Greg, who introduced us to the authentic Molokai & Hawaii. His family has lived in the Halawa Valley for generations & his family's passion for sharing the history is evident. Our guide, Sean, was very cool & my kids loved his stories & explanations of the sites & things we saw along the way. The waterfall & pool at the end is magnificent and an amazing way to cool off after the hike. Our trip back was much faster, but still enjoyable with Sean stopping to offer information and explanations to any questions we had of the area.
The Halawa Valley is a remarkable place & taking a "cultural tour" was the correct and most respectful way to take it. I am glad & better off for the experience & was one of the highlights of our trip to Hawaii.

Driving to the east end of the island is pretty. There are surfers to watch and great views lots of beach access along the way. On small store at about mile 15 or so.

this was a beautiful drive on a very slender road that lines the Molokai east coast. many beautiful pull-offs for pictures and once at the end there is a wonderful beach to rest back and take in the sights. If you want you can hike up the trail(if not too wet) to a huge waterfall, hike, picnic, enjoy the sights on this section of secluded Molokai

Beautiful valley, and breathtaking scenery on the winding drive there. *Note: the drive is definitely not as twist/turn as “the road to hana” but it is up and down cliffs and mountainside much of the way, on a narrow road, some parts are one lane. The views on the way to the valley are just as beautiful as the valley and enormous waterfall itself. We did not have a hiking tour, and were disappointed we didn’t arrange for this in advance. Nevertheless we enjoyed our time and appreciated the beautiful valley and chilled on the beach for a bit. There are public bathrooms (decent enough) which was nice after the 45+min drive. Would recommend.

The drive along the coast to the Halawa Valley takes about a half day round-trip. It is not for timid drivers, as there is a stretch of the road towards the end that is one lane along the twisting face of a large cliff with sheer drops and blind turns. It was a little frightening going in, and we prayed that we didn’t meet a car coming up the cliff. Fortunately we didn’t, but I can imagine the logistical nightmare of backing up uphill. It was not as bad coming back up the cliff the after visiting the valley. My advice is to drive slowly and honk the car’s horn around the blind turns on the cliff. The portion of the journey along the coast for the first approx. 20 miles was easy to drive, and there were nice views of Hawaiian fish ponds, two churches constructed by Father Damian, and several lovely beaches. Once in the valley, the vegetation turned to jungle, and I felt that I was in a lost world. There is also an old chruch from 1948 here. We didn’t arrange to take the hike up the valley, just spent some time admiring the area and visiting the beach (rocks and driftwood mostly). There are NO services there, and I was happy to eventually return to civilization. Yes, I survived going there. Would I ever go again? No, once is enough.

The views of this valley and the waterfall are stunning but the drive is a little scary. The highway winds through cliffs down to single lanes with no guard rails and many of these points are around blind curves.

The drive is beautiful but dangerous as the last 10 miles or so is single lane with many turns. The park had very little parking. Also we could not see the falls as the guides were not working that day.

Halawa valley was our goal, but after mile 20 it becomes a one lane road and gets pretty tiring, although it is not crowded, so not much traffic. We stopped at an overlook of the valley where we could see the falls and the beach area. It is really quite beautiful, but the next part dropping down to it seemed on worth the effort in the rain. Along the way were beautiful coves, waves breaking on beaches and rocks and places to stop, esp. Murphys beach and Mile 20.Along the way you see various fish ponds created by piling lava rock up to make an enclosure, like a fence, that lets water penetrate but can capture large fish. Most have decayed down, but a few look reconstructed.

Beautiful views on the way to the end of the road on Molokai's east end. Curvy road leads down to a spot where the river meets the ocean. Kids had fun. No facilities.

Our tour guide took us up the mountain just to see this valley from above. Harrowing drive, but the view was worth it. We didn't have enough time on Molokai to visit the valley itself, but the view was worth the trip up.

Gorgeous drive worth the time. Bring your lunch and enjoy the beautiful beach and scenery. If I could, I would love to have made the hike in to the falls, but my broken toe and current level of "un"fitness made it undoable.

About 28 miles from Molokai's main town of Kaunakakai, but at the end of a long, winding one lane highway. Travel is slow, so allow a few hours. There are some very scenic views along the way.

The road trip to Halawa Valley is something you have to experience at least once. The views and curves are great! There is a place to picnic and porta-potties. Make sure to bring your bathing suit and towel as you won't want to drive back to get it.

Your trip to Molokai is not complete without meeting Greg Solotario and his father, Pilipo, and learning about Hawaii's forgotten culture. This adventure is incredible and will change your life and your entire outlook on Hawaii.

Thank you for welcoming us and sharing your culture.
Travis Family Travels on YouTube

An incredible walk between landscape & culture. Fascinating exchanges. We spent 1 month in Hawaii and it was the best visit we had. The road is fabulous to reach the east of the island. And meeting Greg and his family allowed us to really understand Hawaii. We learned about the culture, the history, the plants, we even tasted some very good unknown fruits. The walk is easy and done in very small groups. If there's one thing to do in Molokai, it's Halawa Valley with Greg :-) Thanks!

Very nice area, with pristine beaches, and beautiful vistas. Waterfalls in the distance. The deive there is scary, about 10 miles of one way windong cliff hanging roads, but worth it. There are portable restrooms and a shower near the beach

The Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike was an incredible experience. The cost was $70 per person and it was definitely worth every penny! From the very beginning, we were treated to the life and culture of an authentic Hawaiian family. We were picked up at the park in the valley and walked to Pilipo's home. We were greeted with love and thankfulness (like family) because we were interested in learning about the Hawaiian culture. Anakala was raised in the valley, born in 1937. Greg (son) and Anakala spent about an hour sharing with us the history (including old photos) of the Halawa Valley. Then, Greg's oldest son Devak, guided us to the Moaula Falls through the forest. He shared with us a wealth of information about the valley, including old waterways, old houses, trees, fruits, old worship areas, and beliefs. When we arrived at the falls, we enjoyed a refreshing swim in the pool at the bottom of the falls. There were 2 stream crossings which Devak made so easy for this 58 year old woman to cross. So much fun and I would highly recommend to everyone!

We took the road to Halawa Valley while on a tour of the island. Well worth the trip but I am very glad we were able to enjoy the sights rather than worry about the one lane road, at times. You are so close to the ocean at times that you can spot fish in the water. Take your time and take lots of stops along the way. So beautiful.

The drive to Halawa was beautiful, along a winding road that for the last several miles was single lane. The effort, however, is rewarded by a quiet valley and beach. The scenery getting here is interesting (with some great lookouts) and the valley itself worth a walk around. This end of the island is totally different than the west end .... neat contrast. Take note of the fish ponds as you make your way along the coast, before climbing into the mountains.

Heavenly Halawa is a sacred ancient site of early Hawaiians. Ask for permission to be invited and all the extras come out to greet you. It starts with traveling the exceptionally beautiful scenic drive to arrive to meet your guide. I chose Kalani, born in Hawaii, and guardian to his family land in Halawa where he cultivates extra-ordinary flowers I have not seen before, even if I also was born and raised in Hawaii. His nursery produces frowers from beyond and he sells bouquets with a very low price because he knows how the economy is for Molokai families who buy his flowers. When you choose Kalani as your guide, he walks you through his land of flowers and continues on the trail into Halawa valley, crossing private lands he has permission to cross.

He walks evenly paced and his confidence radiates with such a warm feeling of security. Especially for the last 5 minutes of crossing the river over rocks and small boulders. It is a walk that is only possible if the rocks are dry.

After the walk, he offers a gift of a fresh fruit smootie from gathering fruits off his land. His fee for the hike is very reduced to what others are priced. If you are fortunate to stay long enough to enjoy flowers or give them as a gift, I sincerely ask you to consider tipping him for the flower bouquet. You will see the embrassingly low a price he asks. He also ships in the USA. Take snacks or a light picnic. You will enjoy it even more when you arrive at your hike destination. I wont' tell you that part and spoil your surprise.

Kalani only reached in the valley by email, no telephone. kuleanaworkcenter@yahoo.com

p.s. a small tip. If you see signs of no hike today, wait till you see Kalani to confirm and you can trust him to tell you the truth.

My two older kids and I booked a tour with the Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike on Molokai. The only way to experience the interior of this magnificent valley is through this tour, since the land in the valley is privately owned. Greg Solatorio and his father Pilipo, who live and farm in the valley, are phenomenal tour and hike leaders. There is much storytelling of history, culture and nature of the native Halawa valley residents while on a 1.7 moderate hike to an other-worldly and HUGE waterfall and vast swimming hole. There really are no words for the majesty of this towering waterfall, and the swimming is simply divine. Greg, who lead the hike, shared a bounty of fruit (mountain apples and purple bananas) from his farm with all 15 hikers. There also were avocado trees on the hike, and these were delicious as well. Much was learned about Polynesian religion, as well as all manner of flora and fauna that make up the valley.
Greg and Pilipo are truly passionate about their home, culture and history. They are proud Molokaians and beautiful people. This was an extremely rich experience on the eastern end of the most authentic of the Hawaiian islands.

The road to Hawala Valley is very narrow one lane road, so recommend to rent a compact car to get there.

It's a little scary to drive to there, but the view is breath taking - waterfalls, the mountain and the water. It's well worth going there.

I have traveled extensively and I can honestly say this place was in the top two. Imagine being dropped in Jurassic World with hardly anyone else about. People think that my pictures are photoshopped all the time and I have to assure then that they are real and I was standing there when I took the picture. Incredible.

Worth the drive to the end of the island. Be careful of the tides as you may get cut off. Nice beach trails but short.

I loved this hike. The people of Molokai, more than any other island I visited, really want to preserve the traditions and the culture and not just sell the version the tourist board pushes, with gyrating hula girls,"luaus" (the correct word is pa'ine; "luau" refers to the taro leaf) and giant cruise shops pulling into ports. The hike is led by members of the families who have lived there for generations. The hike is uphill and includes two stream crossings; we didn't get to the waterfall because of heavy rainfall. We were treated to a rainfall on the hike but it lasted maybe 20 minutes and we soon dried off. The guides will point out a fire pt that's been carbon-dated back to AD 650, the burial ground and an area used for sacrifices. They know the plants and the animals. It was raw beauty and a somewhat strenuous hike with mud in some areas, but well worth it for the wise narratives of the guides.

Well worth it if you want to learn about the real Hawaii. I was part of a cruise ship group (36- passenger ship and the only one they've permitted to dock at Molokai) so don't know if there's a cost.

Visiting this valley is worth it for the drive alone. You will have amazing views up into the start of the valley, and can see the waterfalls from the road. There are equally impressive views down toward the beaches.

At the end of the paved road is a short dirt road connecting to beach parking. The beach is mixed black and white sand. You must cross a somewhat cold creek to get to the beach. It's about thigh deep and has a few slippery rocks. I would wear water socks.

Unfortunately, the hike to the waterfalls was not operating the time we were there due to high winds and rain. I probably would've been an awesome hike.

Went on the hike through Halawa Valley with Greg and his father Phillip. What an amazing experience and hike. Greg does an amazing job explaining everything and makes you feel very welcome. We had our two young children 11 & 9 (who are really good hikers), and we had no issues. The rivers can be slightly challenging. Really loved this hike and all the information Greg passed along. Recommend to anyone who loves hiking and learning. Biggest recommendation - BUG SPRAY!! This is one of the most beautiful areas in the world. A must do.

The drive to the East End of Molokai ending in Halawa has wonderful scenery. The last few miles are on a paved one lane road which gets interesting if you encounter someone coming from the other direction. Scenery along the road is spectacular. There is a pavilion near the end of the road with restrooms.
The hike into Mo'oula Falls was nice. You can set up a hike to the falls through a tour company, hotel, or directly with the tropical flower farm located in Halawa (molokaiflowers.com) which is what we did. The trail leads through private property and so advanced planning is required. The trail gets muddy in spots if there has been rain which sometimes results in cancellation of hikes.

Halawa Valley is stunningly beautiful! We drove out route 450 which has several beautiful quiet beaches along the way until reaching about milepost 20 when the road narrows and the hairpin curves become more numerous. You leave the coastline for awhile to travel through a high mountain ranch with a great view of Turtle Rock. Continue on and travel into the valley. Fabulous overlook with great views of the waterfall, valley and the ocean. We had a refreshing swim and really didn't want to leave. Lovely drive back.

Beautiful drive. We hadn’t made reservations for the valley hike, but the drive alone was worth the trip to Halawa beach park. Stop at Mile 20-21 to swim/snorkel

Our group of 4 took this very scenic and only (to my knowledge) route through Halawa Valley. The scenery along the way is absolutely gorgeous and only viewable from the vehicle minus a pull over/lookout area here and there which are very few. The road narrows into one lane (I think for like 8mls) and can be quiet dangerous, scary and nerve wracking at times. The speed limit dropped at some point to 5mph and we encountered, almost head on, other vehicles coming around the twisty turns and bends in the road a few times. As a passenger in the backseat along with the other wife on this venture we let out two maybe three squeals as we were comfronted with the other vehicles as there is literally no where to go because you're on the side of the cliff! I would have loved to see the waterfalls at the end but needless to say 3 or 4 miles into the one lane drive, we turned around and headed back out! I don't see how the locals live so remotely but god bless em. My hat is off to anyone making the drive all the way to the end!

This is a VERY long drive from town. So, if you are short on time, this could be missed. And definitely bring your own food and drink. Make sure you have enough gas to get back to town.
The area is very pretty and you are basically alone way out there.

Definitely go on the Halawa Valley Falls cultural hike. So beautiful. Greg welcomes you to his home and guides you through the valley while providing lessons of the true Hawaiian culture. Be prepared to cross a stream with flowing water that can go up to your knees. I wore my water shoes and was glad I did. It is a once in a lifetime adventure.

Great bike ride. Good climb in and out. From Molokai ranch all down hill. Stop at the food counter for something to eat. I used a mountain bike. Stayed at Wave Crest but any rental on the eastside is good.

My husband and I visited Moloka'i for the day via ferry from Lahaina and thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It was on Moloka'i that we felt that we could completely relax...
The coastal drive to Halawa Valley was absolutely beautiful the Valley was just gorgeous. It's definitely a 'must visit' while on Moloka'i.

We did the nature hike to the falls while taking a cruise through the islands. Very beautiful. A must see!

A girlfriend and I booked a cultural tour with Greg and Pilipo Solatario to talk story and experience the beauty and mana of Halawa Valley. We drove to the end of the road in Halawa and met up with them. Rain the night before made hiking to the falls dangerous so we stayed for a three hour tour and talk story with the Solatarios and were invited to return the next day for the hike. Greg walked us into the valley blowing his pu to announce our arrival. Pilipo blew his pu in response. We offered hookupu and observed cultural protocol before being welcomed into the compound. We sat with the Solatarios for almost three hours and learned about the archaeology and agriculture of the valley and the devastating tsunami in 1946 that wiped out the school and church and marked the end of the extensive agricultural settlement in the valley. I could have listened to them talk for weeks and never been bored. The hike the second day was novice to intermediate-we crossed a stream twice but the guide was super helpful and assisted us. We passed by numerous rock walls and other evidence of ancient Hawaiian habitation. Mooula Falls was the end point of the hike. We rested and ate lunch (bring your own food and water) and returned via the same trail. It was a magical experience and I cannot recommend highly enough. The Solatarios and Halawa Valley are the subject of a documentary entitled Sons of Halawa. See it and then book a tour. You will be profoundly moved. Aloha nui loa

Visiting Molokai is like visiting Kauai 50 years ago before Princeville & all the other developments. The drive to the Halawa Valley travels along the oceanfront then climbs up & over the east end of the island through ranch country to an astounding final few miles of switchbacks as you drop down to Halawa Beach. Vistas of Molokai mountains and across the channel to Maui are jaw-dropping! Along the road on the south side of the island is access to unpopulated sandy beaches. Throughout the trip, one is struck by the fact that there are no high-rise condominiums and few visible homes--just the unspoiled island of Molokai. The road is paved but narrows to one lane for the last 3 to 4 miles. Use extreme caution on the blind curves--you think no one else is within miles but then it's a big surprise when an on-coming car suddenly appears at the narrowest part of a sharp curve. The 'highway' ends at the entrance to the beach and the beginning of the trail up to the falls. Without making the hike (which other reviewers indicate is challenging), easy paths lead around to the headland and along the water. The river is wade-able as it makes its winding entrance to the bay. Surf was high in December so no one was in the beach front waters. White knuckle driving for 3 to 4 miles was well worth it to get to this beautiful tropical valley between high mountains and opening onto a secluded beach.

Pahea'oe everyone that takes the time to read this.

My name is Callahan Welsh, and I am a Stand-Up Comedian from Maui.

So growing up in Maui, I love learning Hawaiin culture, as I have had the honor of growing up with Hawaiian culture.

So taking a trip over to Molokai was needed to stay in touch with how the community of people live there, and simply resist the cool landscape and thrivelyness of the island.

Taking the initiative to go on a hike through Halawa Valley, and to learn from Kumu Gregory and his son, was a necessity for my girl and I.

We got to get re-educated on the real Hawaiian narrative that had been lost for many centuries. It broke our heart to learn how the Hawaiian culture has really been turned into a financial platform, rather than a respectful appreciation for the culture. Thanks to these individuals, my girl and I are better equipped with knowledge, to help re-address and re-educate the visitors that are unaware of the emotional pain that the Hawaiian people go through.

The biggest take away from this experience, besides walking through a historical, amazing valley and experiencing the amazing waterfall...

Was that, if the Hawaiian people keep getting financially pushed out from their homeland....and we don't have any Hawaiians on island.....how can it be Hawaii be Hawaii?

I certainly would strongly, highly and encourageingly recommend all go and experience this hike, and take in, the informative knowledge that is needed for prosperity of the Hawaiian Race.

We scheduled our tour (week before Xmas), unfortunately, when Molokai received torrential rainfall. We discovered that the tour from Hotel Molokai canceled their tour on the day that we were going. I called Jen (I assume Jennifer) and asked if our tour is also canceled. Jen insisted that she could not make that decision because she was in Honolulu, and that only the guides at Halawa can make that decision. While there is no communication from those in Halawa, the ONLY way we can find out if the tour is canceled or not is to drive there. I pointed out that the weather forecasters issued flood warnings for Maui and Molokai, but of no avail. Since we test drove the route to Halawa, just short of reaching the dirt road, where drivers honk their horns to warn potential traffic around corners, we were clear that making that 3 hour drive (one way in bad weather) to try and save $125 was ridiculous. I then realized that Jen did not want to reimburse my reservation, and also why she suggested (in a different call) that I bring cash for payment instead. While the tour could have been memorable, Jen (the owner) made sure I would never experience Halawa thru her tour. BTW, after the storm passed, the weather forecasters commented that Maui and Molokai have had enough rain for quite a while. There were many mud slides and road closures caused by the storm. I called Visa and canceled my charge for the tour.

This experience is such a treasure I'm tempted to keep it all to myself. I've been to most of the islands and had not found the authentic Hawaiian experience I was looking for until I met Pilipo and his son Greg. The Hawaii they showed me, culturally and naturally, was the one of old for which I had been searching. Due to a couple of river crossing, the hike does not always happen because of flash flooding. If the spirits of the island smile on you and you're able to take this unique journey in that beautiful valley, you're in for a real treat. I loved the place and people so much, I searched out the CD of Hawaiian music they recorded and have been listening to it daily ever since.

My husband and I arranged for the Halawa Valley Cultural Hike through Molokai Fish and Dive before our trip. It is very expensive, but we were willing to pay the price because we were under the impression that the money goes toward the restoration of the valley by the Halawa Valley Cooperative, which runs the hike. Well, we should have saved ourselves the trouble, because our guide either didn't know we were coming, forgot we were coming, or blew us off. We waited for over an hour at the meeting point until finally a woman who lives in the valley offered to help us figure out what happened to our guide. After some back and forth with folks we never saw, she explained that our guide was busy helping a yoga video shoot on the beach and was unavailable, but that she had permission to lead us to the falls if we still wanted to go, so we went with her. As advertised on the Fish and Dive website, this is a CULTURAL hike, but we didn't learn much of anything about the history or culture of the valley because we didn't get the guide we paid for. The hike isn't difficult, the falls are gorgeous, and woman who led us was very friendly and explained as much as she could. Her generosity and aloha spirit almost completely erased our initial frustration and disappointment. However, if I were to do it again, I would arrange for a different guide service, or I would just show up in the morning and pay cash to the land owners for permission to hike to the falls. I don't trust that the Halawa Valley Cooperative is capable of providing the kind of customer service you'd expect for a $75 per person cultural hike.

We attended the hike today and it was in fact cancelled due to high water. While it is frustrating to drive a long distance to find out it is cancelled, there is no cell signal or internet and it is scouted very “old fashion-y” by going out the day of and looking. So it is what it is folks. This is Molokai after all.

However our guide told us we could do the cultural discussion and we would receive a partial discount for not going on the hike. (He also offered us the option to come back anytime and do the hike on any other days) the option to leave right away and receive a full refund was also available.

Greg and his father were very welcoming and couldn’t have had our best interests in mind more. We plan on going back tomorrow to try the hike again!

One truth I would take from former reviews is that there is a permanent sign that is affixed to the trailhead that says the hike is cancelled and the guides don’t always show up right at 9 am. But be patient.

Long, windy, narrow road along the south shoreline to the Halewa Valley. Majestic views.. however the weather suddenly changed from sunny to rainy, slippery and foggy. It was quite an adventure. Felt like I was driving thru Jurassic Park

My husband and I went to the Halawa Valley twice. The first time he drove, the 2nd time I drove.

You could end your journey at the magnificent valley overlook as tour buses/vans do, and I am sure some drivers do. Please don't.

The last 8 miles of the road to the valley floor makes the road to Hana look straight and wide, with the last two miles especially sinuous and narrow in places. Like the road to Hana, you could regard the road as an attraction, a destination in itself. Also like the road to Hana, slow and stop are appropriate words for travel on this road. We are talking 5 mph recommended curves a couple of times, with 10 mph recommendations frequent. The top speed limit is 20. Like others, we got a chuckle out of the frequent No Passing signs.

The word "scenic" does not do the area justice. There are so many ins and outs of beaches and coves, fascinating geology, changes of vegetation as you go from the dry side to the east end of the island, views of Maui, crossing paved fords, views of rocky islands just off shore, frequent pullouts to admire the scenery, and even two geo-caches to find along the way.

There is a major difference between the road to Hana and the road to the Halawa Valley: In Hana itself there is not really much to see; in the Halawa Valley you could spend many hours sightseeing, hiking, swimming, or simply relaxing. You might even encounter a Molokai traffic jam as we did down in the valley: two vehicles in the middle of the road facing in opposite directions while the drivers talked. No stress involved here. During the first visit, we admired the flowers in the area of the public park near the end of the state highway, watched as others crossed the stream to the sheltered beach and cove, walked on the beach a little around the point, and then headed back up the road. We only had to back up one time to allow another vehicle to proceed. Some other people told us they encountered 15 vehicles, which may have been an exaggeration.

The second time we visited the valley we had intended to hike with Kalani Pruett, but had changed our minds. Too bad, because we know we missed a great experience. Don't worry, we still had a great experience that suited us. First at the overlook we talked with a local man who was scouting for axis deer. He also pointed out the balls of fish down in the cove. It was really interesting talking to him as he described valley history, and current events there. Down in the valley, at the dirt parking area, we chatted with two local fisherman. They were excited to hear about the fish we had spotted from above. Then we waded across the very shallow stream to the beach. We could see why another reviewer commented about it seemed like being in another country. The views were entirely different instantly of valley, water, and cliffs. We walked along the beach, had a picnic lunch under some kukui trees, then went for a swim in the sheltered cove. The bottom was sand, which made it even better. Then we walked along a dirt road going up the valley, again with different views of everything. As we neared the river, some locals passing by cheerily teased us to watch out for crocodiles. In time we came to a fork in the road. To the left we could see the rickety (word used by the fisherman) bridge across the river. We headed right and in time came to the end of the road at some taro patches. We found a trail, and in a few minutes came to the back side of Kalani's property. We walked a little further along the trail, and then turned back because we had on only sandals and did not have bug stuff. We came to a sign that redirected hikers to a path down to the road, across the bridge and shortly came to the lovely little green church you see as you come down the state road. A few minutes later we were at the car, in Molokai's version of a crowed parking lot: about 6 cars.

As I drove out of the valley, we encountered one vehicle. We were at a pull out, so neither one of us had to back up.

It had been another great day during our two weeks on Molokai.

This is a not-to-miss activity on the island! We weren't even able to go on the hike but the presentation and knowledge from Uncle Pilipo and Greg made the entire trip to Molokai worth it.

It's also a beautiful drive there and a great beach to visit!

This drive is very much worth it. You see so much on the way there! Breathtaking beautiful scenery and even views of Maui!

The Halawa Valley is beautiful to look at from the road or beach, but way more stunning when you actually hike into the valley itself. Because it is private land, one must do a guided hike. We did ours with the Solatorio family who live there. A little tip for booking - I called the number on their website and left a message and didn't hear back from them for 3 days. By that time I had already done the hike! I had booked it in the meantime through Molokai Fish and Dive, who did the booking for us immediately.

The hike itself is about 3 miles round trip, mostly flat or on a barely noticeable incline, and overall rather easy. It had rained overnight so it was a bit muddy in places. Wear shoes with good grip that you don't mind getting dirty. The scenery is stunning as you walk through the rain forest/jungle. The guides give a lot of interesting background to the Valley and Hawaiian history/culture. The waterfall at the end is very pretty and you can swim in the pool at the bottom, though it is very cold in there.

I would definitely recommend this as a top activity to do on Molokai.

Being 1st in molokai's what to do, I was really looking forward to this excursion which we booked with kanani, the owner of the flower farm.

While yes, most thing's ring true, the beautiful scenic drive through blind corners on the way to the valley, the gorgeous hike to the waterfall, and very nice down to earth Kanini, wife and 10/12year old son, but it was a 'tour' completely lacked information.

Kanini greeted everyone warmly and gave a quick history of the valley, then it was his child son that lead the hike to the waterfall. We were meant to walk through an ancient village, learn about the history of the site and waterfall. Instead, his son LITERALLY Just walk us to the waterfall. There was absolutely no information provided. The only time is when he point out a rock wall was a sacrificial site, and literally, that was it. When ask about it, or a possible taro farm site, he just say he doesn't really know. In all fairness, he is just a child, so you can't expect him to be too informative. But I would have at least thought if he was given the job of the 'guide' he would be trained to give some basic insight to the tourist that paid to do the tour and to learn.

When we finally made it back to the flower farm, Kanini gave us a brief walking tour (5-10mins) then kindly offer everyone yummy smoothie. But in terms of info, history, past and future of flower and plants, again, it was completely lacking. He showed us a few flowers in a quick loop.

Bascially, be prepare that what you pay ( which is reasonable, approx $75 for a couple), is literally just a physical guide to show you the place, don't expect to learn any information or history from this tour. It's a shame, given the unique position the flower farm owner is in, he could have easily tell an amazing story about the valley, about him, and his farm. It could have been a 4/5 star experience if they actually did a "real" tour, not just a physical one.

As beautiful & down to earth people as his family was, If you were to do this tour and like to learn some info about the valley, I would suggest you try out other guides in the island to see if you have better luck. But if your aim is just to see the valley only, then Kanni and son would do the job, as their price is very reasonable compare to others. It really depends on what you are looking for.

Btw, I think the highlight is actually the scenic drive, the hike itself falls 2nd to this experience. Yes, absolutely cover yourself with insect repellant, we saw plenty mozzies, but not one dare have their lunch on our body as we were prepared!

Very interesting cultural hike with a swim in a mineral pool at the base of a waterfall thrown in. The hike and waterfall are great, hike is pretty easy with the hardest part being the fording if the stream. But by far the best component is the cultural education that comes with it. Walk through an ancient stone temple, learn about the history (recent and some ancient). There is a nice beach to visit afterwards too. It takes a solid hour from Kaunakakai with the last eight miles being a one lane road with blind curves.

We recommend stopping at mile 16 where there is a little store and lunch counter to have breakfast. The starting point for the tour is another 40 minutes beyond that.

We visited the beautiful Halawa Valley in Molokai with our group from our UnCruise and were lucky enough to meet Uncle Filipo and his son Greg. They taught us about the real traditional life of Molokai and shared their piece of paradise with us. A highlight of our trip, to be sure!

My niece decided to sign us up for the Halawa Valley Cultural Hike with The Solatorio Family. From the beginning, you are immersed in local culture as your guide blows a conch shell to let the family know that we care coming. After a gift exchange greeting, we were given a wonderful talk about the valley, the people and the culture of the area. Then, we went on a hike up the valley to a waterfall, where we were free to swim, relax and rest. It was a highlight of our trip to Molokai. Be sure to pack water, snacks and wer GOOD hiking shoes/sandals!

I was there on my honeymoon .I had been living in oahu in Honolulu, but molokai is a drastic change, we loved it..hardly no one around us .as opposed to oahu ...the hike to the falls was absolutely gorgeous.that was over twenty years ago. I hope the people and population has not been to altered. It was truly paradise. Mahalo.

The road is narrow and full of 90 degree turns and switch backs. It’s not for the timid or nervous driver. Most of the road has a great ocean view of some of the prettiest part of Molokai. There are bathrooms and pavilions at the end. The beach at the end is nice but not the highlight. There is a trail back to the waterfall into the valley but you need to have a guide to cross the private property.

I can't say enough good things about this trip. The guides are knowledgable and interesting. The pride they have in their ancestry is palpable. Double falls was breathtaking and the hike was fun. Definitely worth doing!

My wife and I visited the valley this morning. The drive is awesome! Be prepared for some very narrow roads, blind curves, and drop offs. We honked around the blind curves and had no problem. Luckily we only ran into a couple of other vehicles and they were on the wider stretches of road. There are some breathtaking views along the way. Due to time constraints, we did not do the cultural hike. However, we spent several hours here enjoying the beaches. The main beach is rocky but has some sandy spots to put down a towel and relax. We also waded across the stream and went to the other beach. It was much better for swimming as the water was calmer and there was not a steep drop off. This was a magical place to visit!!

We tried twice to do this guided hike and twice it was cancelled by the organizers due to rain. The hike is cancelled so often that they have a sign that is nailed to a tree at the meeting spot. The Halawa valley apparently has no landline phone & neither cell nor internet service and If there’s any rain that day they may cancel because part of the hike involves walking through the stream. So when they do cancel you will not be informed until you arrive there...after driving up to 2 hrs to get there. Also, the whole area approaching where the hike is located has no cell service so beware. Along the way you will see that many residents have erected large signs in their front yards saying “ Vacation rentals not welcome”, “Native Rights”, etc. to make it clear that tourism - THAT MEANS YOU! - are not welcome. You are told to be at the Halawa Valley Park at 9 am and the drive takes 2 hours from the west end of the island so between paying in advance, waking before dawn and driving 2 hours only to find a sign at the park telling us that the hike was cancelled do to (sic) mountain rain and the stream having high water ( well, the sun was shining & it wasn’t raining when we arrived) you can imagine our frustration. After getting there a little early and waiting around well after 9 am, the guide finally showed up at 9:18am to let us know about the hike being cancelled but that we could still get the cultural ceremony/presentation ( no refund) or just leave and get a refund, we chose to leave - I saw no point in participating in a bait n switch was my reasoning. I could understand if there were an unexpected, unusual, torrential, downpour and we had to cross a raging river but this was just overkill in my humble opinion. It's Hawaii, it rains on the east facing slopes of the Hawaiian Islands..like every day it rains that's why the east sides of every island are GREEN. They make it clear that the hike can and will be cancelled for rain but this is ridiculous, they could find a way if they wanted to communicate - get a Satphone and text someone on the outside if that's what it takes! Come on!

Really neat drive up to the falls, and the beaches are beautiful. However, the guide (from the flower farm) did not bother to show up. We sat there for nearly an hour before being told by locals that he often is either really late or does not show up.

It was like a mini drive to Hana, very scenic road to the Valley but not so intense you can enjoy some of the scenery. Valley was nice and great place do have a picnic lunch or a lazy afternoon. They do have a guided tour to the waterfall but you need to be there by 9AM, we did not know about this prior to our visit, so if you going and want to hike to the waterfall with a guide get there early.

I loved this area of Molokai. It is at the end of the main Molokai road and as you approach you first look down on the valley. Then you drive through jungle, passing a pretty and old church, and park next to a river. Walk through the river shallow and go to the bay that you will likely have pretty much to yourself. You have great views up the valley, along the beach and bay, and out to sea. There is tree coverage along the beach with some pretty driftwood trees on the beach. This all speaks Molokai to me. The remoteness, the roughness, the natural beauty, the loneliness. Would be a great place for a picnic.

The drive here is half the fun, on a winding one lane highway, with spectacular vistas, to one end of Molokai. Just go slow and you'll be fine. At the end you can take a tour (should be booked ahead of time) with Greg Solotorio to a hidden falls where you can do some swimming. Background information on the culture and area added quite a bit to the experience. The hike to the falls is muddy and crosses small rivers, so bring water shoes or hiking boots you don't mind getting wet. The hike is intermediate because of these wet conditions. After the hike there is a beautiful nearby beach park to swim in, fish, or hike around.

This is a must see! The road is narrow and you have to go slowly, but it is well worth it! The cliffs, the ocean, the trees, the sand...the natural beauty is amazing! Take lots of pictures and enjoy!

Like the road to Hana if you get motion sickness easily you may want to skip this ride. The waterfall is spectacular as is the beach at the end of the road. Be careful driving.

We had a great hike and swim. Kalani is very nice, I had him send flowers to my mom and she received them quickly and said they are amazing. The drive is a little scary. I would recommend one person driving each way so you both get to enjoy the views. BUG SPRAY is a must if you are prone to bites. I got 70...yes we counted on my legs. OFF isn't strong enough if you are prone to bites. The girl walking in front of me had no problem. The smoothies are good. Contacting Kalani by email is the best way. It took me a few days to get a hold of him to schedule our tour so keep that in mind.

I dare say the Halawa valley at the far east end of Molokai is one of the most beautiful places I have seen in Hawaii and I've visited most of the islands. We took a guided trip up to a waterfall at the head of the valley. This hike takes you through the site of an ancient village and includes some cultural history -- well worth the time. Note the hike is on private land and you must go with a guide. Take time at the end of your hike to go for a swim in Halawa bay.

I made reservations on-line for the tour/hike a month ahead of time. Just two days before the hike, I got an email saying the tour had been cancelled and my credit card credited for the fee but I could still take the tour, but had to pay cash. It didn't make much sense to me. I drove out th Halawa Valley (an hour drive), waited 30 minutes and no one ever showed up. I'm still not sure what was going on.

We did the hike to the falls at Halawa Valley through Molokai Flowers. Kalani met us at the pavilion which is just before the end of the road where the bathrooms are. He and his wife toured us through their flower garden and their son led us to the falls. It was a not to missed tour. I am not an athletic person and I was able to do the trek easily. Even negotiating the rocks. At the end Kalani will treat you to delicious smoothies made with his fresh fruit. Going through Kalani with Molokai Flowers is the best way to go.

The drive is beautiful. About an hour long if you don't stop but you should stop and enjoy one of the tiny beaches along the way. Bring towels, water, picnic and camera. The road is winding so be careful if you sit in the back of the car as you could get car sick as one of our family members did. See if you can spot the waterfalls we found two.
We didn't do the hike as we didn't have proper shoes on this trip for that.

It's worth the long drive to the east end. There is a county park at the beach. Tours/hikes are offered by Uncle Philippines.

Halawa Valley Cultural Tour

This is my favorite thing that I have done across three trips to the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Molokai.

Our tour was led by Greg, whose family has a long history in the valley. The hike is beautiful, but the real meat is all of Greg's knowledge about the history and traditional lifeways in the valley and how and why they have changed over time. He comes at things with a frankness, humility and grace that made the whole experience very impactful. This tour will provide you with an opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of Hawaiian culture and probably correct some of your misconceptions about it. I cannot recommend the cultural tour highly enough and I would absolutely schedule my visit to the island around its availability.

The actual hike to the waterfall goes through a forest full of wild fruit and other tropical trees that have grown up on the remains of ancient terraces that were built when the valley was completely open. There is a pool at the base of the waterfall that you can swim in if you choose to, but it is totally worth the walk even if you don't get in. The hike itself is a little bit hard to categorize in terms of difficulty. The total distance is about 3.5 miles with about 600-700 feet of elevation gain, which would make it moderate by the formula the National Park Service uses. However, there are two stream crossings, several logs to climb over and under, and a good amount of uneven footing throughout. So, if you are unaccustomed to hiking or have any balance issues I would classify it as difficult and encourage you to make an honest self-assessment of your ability level. Hiking sandals are the ideal footwear for this hike -- something that can get wet but has a tough sole with some traction.

If you aren't taking a tour -- even though you absolutely should -- you can still drive down to Halawa Park at the bottom of the Valley (more on the drive below), but you won't be able to go any further as the entire valley is privately owned. I've seen write-ups online of people continuing on without a guide, but just...don't. The cultural tour was the highlight of my visit and trespassing to avoid it would be both disrespectful and pretty crappy.

The drive down into the valley is also quite beautiful. As mentioned in several other reviews, the last ten miles are narrow and winding. If you are accustomed only to city driving, it can seem daunting but it is also very doable if you give yourself adequate time, go slowly and use common sense. The entire road is paved and for much of it there is adequate room for two vehicles to pass if you are cautious. Plus, most of the (very few) other drivers you are likely to encounter are locals used to negotiating the road, so if you defer to their experience (or better yet, are able to get behind and follow one of them) you shouldn't have any serious issues. Put another way, I would take this drive 100 times out of 100 over the road to Hana. Just go slow, pay attention, and defer to the locals.

Overall, this was an amazing experience and not to be missed if you are visiting Molokai.

absolutely breathtakingly beautiful, a must see for sure, beautiful flora and fauna everywhere you look

This area was so amazing! After winding through the almost one lane road for about 30 minutes, you arrive at a cliff looking down to the beach you are about to visit! If you looked to the left, there was a waterfall, and to the right, the mighty Pacific! We wandered around the beaches for about an hour, there was so much to look at!!

First of all, when we booked the tour we wanted to go on the tour that went to the flower farm and have the smoothie at the end and we could not figure out how to book that.
We sent emails to both Molokai Fish and Dive- who never even replied and to Hotel Molokai who said well the tour to the farms is here and there and just when they are open which isn't that often. So we booked the tour through Hotel Molokai and were just hoping it would work out in the end once we got there.
It took us about 2 hours to get from the West side of the Island in Kaluakoi where were were staying to the East side of the Island to Halawa Valley. Some parts of the road you only go 5MPH. There are many curves and narrow sections. We did not have a probelm at all and at no point felt uneasy. Go slow and use common sense.
We had stopped by Hotel Molokai and had gotten our voucher and made it to the pick up site 15minutes early. We then sat and waited for 30 minutes. At this point a young man walked up to us asking if we were so n so because he was from Molokai Fish and Dive and he was looking for his tour group. We said no we arn't them but we are waiting to do the tour and nobody has come to get us. He said well I'm sure they will come. I will come back and check on you in a little while and if your tour hasn't come I will take you. So that was encouraging. Another 45 minutes passes and he didn't return to check on us and our tour guide has still not shown up. We are wondering what to do at this point. We don't want to go wandering around down roads and trails and get lost or bitten by somebody's dog. We have no cell phone service to call Hotel Molokai. Just as we are debating driving the 1.5hrs back into town a women pulls up and asks if we are part of her tour. We say no but we would really like to be part of your tour since ours is clearly not working out. She says sure. She lets us in the truck and takes us to the "Flower Farm" - the tour I was trying to book originally all along.
I start to tell her that we tried to book a tour through them and I couldn't get through and we never got a response from Molokai Fish and Dive and that Hotel Molokai had set up the tour for us but the guide never showed up. I told her that Hotel Molokai said that their tour was only "if they were open which wasn't all the time". She said that wasn't true that they do tours all the time and couldn't believe how much Hotel Molokai charged me and that they would say that about their farm.
She walked us over to the house of the guy who was supossed to give us the tour. Hotel Molokai had never informed him that he had a tour. That's why he didn't show up. So she said we'll take them it's ok. So we waited for the rest of her tour group to show up, some were coming in on the ferry and were running late, she walked us around the farm and showed us all the flowers and showed us all the fruit. She was one of the nicest people I've ever met. She didn't have to help us and she took the time to help us and she did it with a smile because she wanted to. She told us about the animals they owned and about her kids. Just such a super nice lady.
So half the group shows up and the other half is still running late. So her husbad Kalani Pruett took the 4 of us on the tour. Explained the vegetation, gave some history, tried to get us some fruit off the trees. He's a funny guy. I loved the tour.
The walk to the falls is easy, just one part up over some boulders across the stream could be a little hairy, but everybody made it just fine. Got to the falls, to cold to swim but a beautiful sight and the sound is wonderful. It started raining while we were there and it got cold so we headed back.
Ran into his wife with the other half of the tour on the way back.
When we got back he made us the 3 or 4 different kinds of smoothies like the ones you read about online. - Amazingly delicious. I could live off of those smoothies.
He was a really nice guy also. Told us about how little they live on out there. Just have a generater to get through the night. Solor powered everything. Try to not be wasteful. They use the internet when they feel like it and for their own advantage so they pick and choose when they want to be bothered. What a great lifestyle. They were both just such happy good hearted people. We had such a terrible start to our morning and because we met them with their kind hearts, we had the best day ever.
You must have good shoes for this. Flip Flops will not work and do bring bug spray. Lots and lots of bugs.
Also bring water and food. We were hungry after the tour and there are no resturants or stores out this way.
There were some public restrooms at the end of the road that you drive to get there. Up over the bridge that you see at the end up the road is a dirt parking lot that leads to the bay which is pretty. And be carful where you park your car. Don't park under the coconut trees. If one falls on the car it could cause some damage.

This was an incredible cultural experience from the source. Greg is actively in position to carry the torch of teaching people about their true Hawaiian experience. The roots of their family in this valley go back to when there was a thriving community prior to the 1946 tsunami, where all survived due to working together to escape the waters.
Fascinating stories from am engaging, charismatic family, I wish I had unlimited time and opportunity to listen. I can't emphasize enough what an amazing opportunity this was.
I feel like many other reviews glossed over the reality of the hike to the waterfall. For young, fit hikers, this is probably what I would consider a moderate hike. For anyone whose "fitness" is challenged-- whether by health, condition, agree, etc., I would call this difficult. There is some clambering over boulders, jumping from rock to rock, wading, etc. There's ducking under branches, getting over fallen logs, etc., So requires strength, flexibility and agility.
Tanner and Devak are impressively patient and knowledgable.
Make sure to do your due diligence on planning the time it takes to drive there and back. The drive is amazingly beautiful, but is a one lane road for the last few miles.
There is supposedly a good ahi sandwich available at a place near mile marker 16, but it was closed by the time we got by there on our way back.

What an excellent way to spend a day! A great history lesson and a lovely hike. Plan to spend the day. The drive is beautiful and a bit harrowing. We did not take lunch and regretted it. Wear good shoes and pack your patience.

We didn't do the hike but did spend about an hour visiting with the Philipo Soltorio, Cultural Practitioner. This was the highlight of our trip. Worth the drive. It is 26 miles from town, the last 6 miles on a very curvy one lane road with many blind corners. Drive slow, pay attention to the posted speed limits, take your time. It's only 6 miles & so worth it. There is a fee for the tour but not to sit & talk story with Philipo. I'm not sure how long the hike takes. The drive is about 45 minutes each way.

This area is well worth driving the relatively narrow one-lane highway. From waterfalls to beach, it's all worth taking the day(s) to explore and relax in! Very few people on the beaches during the week we visited. I can't wait to come back again!

We had a great time driving the winding road to Halawa Valley and Beach. Just go slow and be careful. The sites are gorgeous so take your time. We arrived at the beach and it was nice, surrounded by gorgeous views. You can see the waterfall on the way there, and a part of it from the beach. We didn't hike to it but it's pretty!

We took this drive to the beach twice on our trip. It is a long twisty drive, but so beautiful. The beach at the end was a great reward. We were able to swim and enjoy the nice beach. There were several nice little beaches to stop at along the way, too.

This is truly a unique Hawaiian experience...from the meeting at the park in Halawa to the Hawaiian chant and greeting at the home of Anakala Pilipo Solatorio this was a cultural experience. Anakala told us the story of the valley, the tsunamis of 1946 and 1957 and the changes he had seen in the valley from the perspective of the last person actually born in the valley who is still living there.

The history and cultural lessons provided a foundation for understanding the valley and the property gave us a gateway to the trail that leads to Moaula Falls which lies at the end of the valley. We spent approximately 45 minutes with Anakala before taking the 2 mile hike to the falls with his son as our guide.

The hike to the falls takes you through a forest of huge trees, across streams and old Hawaiian settlements. The trail is not difficult but with the roots and some sharp stones sturdy soled shoes are recommended (I used Tevas). Once we reached the falls we had time to eat our lunch and for those who chose to do so, take a swim in the pool below the falls. From my own experience I can tell you that the swim is very refreshing after the hike. On this hike you also may want to take a good bug spray...

There are several guides who will take you up the Halawa Valley to Halawa Falls. Kelani is excellent. Very relaxed, friendly and informed plus the most reasonably priced so leave him a generous tip. Plus you get the added bonus of a tour of his flower farm and free tropical fruit and/or a smoothie. Be prepared for a 1.5 hour hike in each direction through tall trees, tropical plants, and old Hawaiian settlements, and then about a half hour at the falls where there is a large swimmable pond. Mostly flat trail - hiking shoes recommended although it can be done in just about any shoe.

If you took all the time to come to Molokai, you already know its chief attraction. As they will famously tell you, "Why do you want to go to Molokai, there's nothing there?" "Exactly. That's what I'm looking for." This remote valley is as far away from the insanity that engulfs most tourist destinations as you can get. Molokai Outdoors will arrange this cutural tour for you. Go. Greg Solatorio is the latest in a long line of deeply respected Cultural Practitioners from a family who has lived in this valley for many generations. This is the cradle of Hawaiin civilization and you will emerge feeling like you have not only taken a course in Hawaiian culture but been IMMERSED in it. This is far more than a cool hike through a jaw-dropping tropical rain forest to an amazing waterfall. It is that but it is also a deeply immersive experience that will leave you humbled from all we can learn from a culture that has lived close to the land and sea for generations. It is a joy to know that men like Greg still exist and are carrying values of respect for our planet forward in a time when we've never needed it more. You will emerge from this tour a better person. And then there is that drive out to the valley. Mind-blowing beauty. The Big Sur and Cabot Trail and the Road to Hana have got nothing on this place!

At the northeast corner of Molokai is Halawa Beach Park, at the end of the beautiful Halawa Valley. My wife and I were staying in Kaunakakai, on the south central coast of the island. The drive from there to Halawa Valley takes about an hour, and the road is narrow and winding in places, more so the farther east you go. A small rental car is not a bad idea... And watch out for the numerous school buses.

We went there to participate in the Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike. We arrived at the beach park early - well before the hike was to begin. That gave us time to explore the beach park, which was beautiful and peaceful. We headed back to the small parking area as other participants arrived. Our guides were also there by the scheduled 9AM start.

Basically, native Hawaiians, father and son (mostly the son), who still practice a traditional Hawaiian lifestyle (when they're not guiding the hike...) teach you about that traditional lifestyle and history of the island while guiding you on a short (2 miles?) hike up the valley to a waterfall. Their family roots in the valley go back 50 generations.

On the drive into the valley, a waterfall is apparent. The destination of the hike is not that waterfall, but is another, only the very top of which is visible from the road. I did not notice it when taking pictures from the road, but see it in my pictures.

The hike begins with conch blowing to announce our intended entry, and response indicating acceptance. As we approach the father's land, we participated in traditional gift and greeting rituals. (You will be nose to nose with everyone in the group.) We saw their home and taro fields before starting on the hike itself.

The valley is lovely, filled with trees, all of which have grown since the 1946 tsunami. Along the way there are ruins of old temples. The only visual negative is old water supply pipe along the trail. Our guide says he has been removing sections as he has time to do so.

The hike includes a few stream crossings. I wore simple water shoes, which were adequate for the entire hike. They were useful at the destination as well. Below the waterfall is a large pool. The water is cold, but the swim over to the base of the falls is done by many of the guests. I am not a strong swimmer, but was able to fight the noticeable current using my rock climbing skills along the base of the cliff on the right side of the pool.

One bit of advice: You are paying a) to be on private property, and b) for the guide. The guide stops in several places to show and demonstrate things. The whole group (of about a dozen guests) gets to see and hear all of that. But if you can, stay close to the guide while hiking. That way you can hear other interesting conversation. On the way to the falls I listened. On the way back I got to ask a number of questions, which the guide was very happy to answer.

Greg and Shauna were wonderful cultural guides as well as patient and expert help in getting me across the boulders and over river. Learned more about Hawaiian culture than ever knew after visiting here many times in the past, and especially fascinating info about Molokai itself. A must adventure for all and I'm 75!

It is a long sometimes winding, one lane drive. You may have to pull to the side to let the car past coming toward you. The views are great. Take your time enjoy the drive. Take food and water for sure. I love Molokai and this is one of the reasons why - not over populated with tourists. This is an island of native Hawaiians and you are on island time. Enjoy!

For those who hope to go on a cultural tour of the valley, I wanted to clarify that Lawrence Aki no longer leads the hike up to Moa'ula Falls. He has turned the business over to his niece and nephew who lead the hike for $79. Lawrence Aki stills grows taro but he now teaches workshops on the spiritual aspects of Lomi Lomi Hawaiian massage. We booked the hike after reading an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer 1 month ago saying that Lawrence Aki led cultural tours of the valley and the hike. The hike was rained out, but as luck would have it, we met Lawrence in the valley and he graciously invited us into the valley and showed us his taro plants. It was the highlight of our trip to Molokai.

Sean and Gabe were the most amazing tour guides. They took us on a private guided tour through the Halawa Valley- introducing us to fruits of the island, parts of mother nature that were new to us, and to the traditions and the history of the island. It was just the right amount of intensity as we made our way to the waterfalls. We stopped and had a bit of a picnic there and we had the opportunity to go swimming in these refreshing and untainted falls. The scenery was incredible.
We came out of this tour feeling so knowledgeable about the Molokai traditions and culture and history. What a breathtaking hike!

The pre trip talk before hiking to the falls was a great way to get immersed to the local lore and history. First time eating a Hawaiian banana from the tree and starfruit. Great hike and swim at the falls. Guide was excellent and very helpful.

We booked the Halawa Valley hike direct with Greg Solatorio. When we arrived at the park before 9 a.m. there were signs that the hike had been cancelled until further notice because of trail conditions and danger of flash flood, but a guide did show up. We gathered in the park pavilion while Pilipo Solatorio shared stories of life in the valley and showed us some historic photos. Pretty neat that the grammar school he attended is where the park now stands.

At the beginning while we were signing our waivers and he was collecting our money he asked what brought us here, and I was not able to ascertain whether he found our answers satisfactory or not. There was an awkward moment when Pilipo talked about the practice of makana, which is the custom of bringing gifts when you visit someone's home. He looked at us for a long pause and I wasn't sure if he was expecting us to give him something. Is our $60/person admission price not makana enough?

Much has been made in other reviews about the breathing ceremony and sharing ha (breath of life). I'm not sure if Pilipo just wasn't feeling it today, or didn't deem us worthy, or what. But we didn't do that at all. What he had to say was very interesting, but I would categorize it as historical background rather than cultural experience.

Our guide, Shawn, was great. He offered us walking sticks and we were glad to have them. The trail isn't particularly difficult and we are not hikers at all. But it was a muddy mess due to all the rain Molokai has had lately. There was one river crossing, but there were several large boulders you could step on and Shawn stood in the water to offer us a hand for balance as we crossed.

The waterfall at the end was pretty spectacular and worth all the muck to get there. Only three of us got in and the water was freezing cold. It took our group of seven about 1 hr and 50 mins to reach the falls. Shawn stopped us along the way to point out different trees, fruits, and flowers. We also walked passed archeological and culturally significant sites, like a fishing temple, birthing temple, cemeteries, and rock formations said to contain the gods. It was all very interesting. Time back was only 1 hr and 15 minutes.

The drive to the park isn't bad at all if you proceed cautiously. There are curves and blind turns, but reviewers who describe it as a white-knuckle road must not have experience driving in Europe, the Black Hills, or any rural, mountainous region.

My wife and I took a guided hike through the privately owned rainforest trail in Halawa valley. Our Hawaiian guide, Lawrence, is articulate and well-educated, eager to share his knowledge of Hawaiian culture, history, and flora. He can trace his lineage 1000 years to the founding of this orginal Hawaiian village, so he really is the guy to guide you. The trail can be strenuous, traversing boulders over rivers, steep inclines, and heavy rainforest undergrowth, but the final destination is worth it - a double waterfall cascading in a cool pool ready for hikers to jump into for a refreshing swim. The hike took from 9am to 2pm, mainly because Lawrence was ready to answer all our questions and allow us time to view the centuries old temple and taro field sites. Allow extra time for the drive to Halawa Valley, as it becomes a one lane, twisting cliff-side route with dramatic views - it took almost 90 minutes to make the trip from the airport. Worth the time and cost!

It's heaven on earth. My daughter and I drove to Halawa Valley and it was breath taking. When we got to the beach, we were the only ones there. This spot is great for hiking, fishing, camping and picnicking. This place will mesmerize you, and it will be an experience like no other. There are no stores or restaurant in the area, so pick up a quick bite in town before headed to Halawa Valley.

My wife and I had but a brief encounter with Hālawa Valley during our trip to Moloka‘i back in January 2000. We had driven the narrow road all the way to Moloka‘i’s far-eastern side and marveled over the lush, verdant valley below us. The valley was surrounded on three sides by steep cliff walls with a slender waterfall seemingly slicing the cliffs in two at the back of the valley. It seemed enticing.

As we descended the valley access road, we pondered what a hike back to those falls would be like. So we pressed on to the end of the road near the mouth of the stream. We hiked around looking for a trail, but found nothing but “No Trespassing” signs. Not wanting to get anyone upset with our unwanted presence, we left.

We had heard about a company leading hikes back into Hālawa Valley, but our short stay on this island was over. So we made a promise to ourselves that we would return in the future for a more thorough exploration. We just did not realize then that it would be almost seven years before finally making that promised trip.

Our plans were prodded along after reading an article in the January/February 2005 issue of Hawai‘i Magazine entitled “A Rebirth in Hālawa”. The article highlighted the efforts of Hālawa Valley native Lawrence Aki, born and raised here until age 9, who is attempting to reclaim the lo‘i (irrigated terraces) from the jungle and replant kalo (taro) as his ancestors did over the last 13 centuries. It is his personal mission to make pono (proper, in perfect order) with the land because, as he says with a spiritual sense, if the kalo dies, so does man, because they are one.

As if his valiant effort in clearing this land of its “weeds” and farming kalo wasn’t enough, he also leads cultural hikes through this beautiful valley to tell tourists the story of his direct ancestors who lived and worked here. Because of that, we just knew our next trip had to include Moloka‘i and a hike here. So the reservations were made.

Our hike’s destination was the waterfall you see when facing into the valley. Much to our surprise, there is another waterfall that is just as large and beautiful and sits to its left, but is unseen from the valley access road because of the protruding cliff wall. As another surprise, we learned that neither of these falls is named Hālawa. Their names are Hipuapua, which is on the right and Mo‘oula, which is on the left. We also learned that the names of the falls are incorrect on some maps.

This hike was a cherished educational experience. However, it almost did not happen.

We were on Kaua‘i for the first week of our vacation. As luck would have it, there was an earthquake the morning of October 15, 2006, which was the day of our island switch. Because the earthquake knocked out all of O‘ahu’s power, our inter-island flight from Kaua‘i to Moloka‘i was delayed going through Honolulu. We were only delayed about an hour getting to Moloka‘i and when we finally got to our rented condo, much to our dismay, it had not yet been cleaned since the previous renter departed. We were unable to reach the owner and had no intention of staying there. So we called Hotel Moloka‘i and, luckily, they had a room. We took it! Unfortunately, we had to pay rack-rate.

We were scheduled to go on the “Hālawa Falls” hike the next morning (our first full day here). But when we called Moloka‘i Fish and Dive to verify our reservation, we were told that the narrow road leading to the valley had been blocked by rock fall. There was also the threat of flashflood, which made it too risky to hike along the river. They canceled it.

I expressed my disappointment and let the man on the phone know how much I had been looking forward to this hike. I told him we only had one more day here to make a try of it and that I really hoped things would work out.

The next day we stopped by their store in downtown Kaunakakai and spoke to the proprietor about the next day’s possibility of the hike. He told me that he had not yet heard from the guide so I would have to call back later. I reiterated how much I was looking forward to going on this particular hike. He apologized and said he would know more after 5pm.

Sure enough, when we called later, it was a go!

At the bottom of the valley access road next to that stone shell-of-a-building, we met our guide. From a distance, he looked familiar. As we drew closer, I immediately knew who he was. I had seen this man’s pictures in Hawai‘i Magazine and saw him in a couple episodes of Samantha Brown’s “Girl Meets Hawai‘i” on the Travel Channel. Our guide was none other than Lawrence Aki.

After the greetings and chit-chat, Lawrence proceeded to tell us a little about Hālawa Valley’s history. This place was still a robust island community less than a century ago, with the majority of the valley filled with lo‘i that were farmed with kalo. Archaeologists say that their findings indicate that it was just this way as far back as 650AD. However, during the 1950’s, the valley was almost completely abandoned.

As Lawrence gave his presentation covering the history of the valley and explained the various pictures that he had setup, one photo stuck out from all the rest. It was a photo dated 1909. Its perspective was from one of the cliffs above us peering into the valley. It revealed the contrast of then and now. It framed a treeless valley being farmed in kalo and dotted with small huts/houses. Today, the valley is completely overgrown with trees reaching 50 to 60 feet high. .

In another photo there was a church sitting prominently in the valley. Lawrence pointed out that the church in that photo was the rocky hulk of a structure next to us. He said the County workers who were clearing and burning brush near it back in the early 1970’s accidentally caught fire to it. Obviously, it burned everything but the stone (see pictures accompanying this review).

Lawrence remarked that it was during the 1950’s when the majority of families left the valley. Because kalo farming is hard work and you are growing food to merely exist, most had sought the higher income and the better life that brings from working the ranches and sugarcane fields on the other side of the island. Of course, he says, this lifestyle change brought its own problems to his culture and left the land in the valley to return to its wild state.

As times got harder for some families, some sold their plots in Hālawa. Many of those were purchased by “nā haole” (the white men) from the mainland. Until that happened, Lawrence had ties to just about all the landowners in the valley through blood and marriage. But now, ownership of the parcels spread like seeds in the wind.

We found out that on top of the various cultural tours that Lawrence escorts around the island, he also runs the Hālawa Valley Cooperative. According to him, the cooperative owns or has operational agreements for most properties in Hālawa Valley. Getting those agreements from so many people, especially “nā haole” from the mainland, was a monumental task. But Lawrence persevered.

He says he does the best he can, but it seems that there is never enough of himself to spread around. From trying to reclaim the lo‘i from the jungle to finding State and Federal grants to keep things working, from convincing locals to not grow illicit plants here to getting family members’ operational help, from operating many different cultural hikes around the island to keeping trespassers off the property. Busy is he – and then some.

All along our hike we learned plenty about both the land and of our guide. We were told the purpose of various archaeological sites we passed and intently listened to stories of Lawrence’s youthful days living here. We learned where he has traveled and of where he now lives. We heard of his trials and tribulations in dealing with the State in proclaiming rights to all the property in the valley (which they finally agreed to). He even related the ancient Hawai‘ian story about how man and kalo were one with the land – if one died, so would the other – at least spiritually (this explains his drive to return kalo cultivation to the valley).

We were honored that we had the chance to listen while he chanted in his native tongue to his ancestors alongside the pool below the falls. Although there is a greater movement by many Hawaiians to learn their native language, of all those in his extended family, he says there are only two of them who are fluent in it. But he is trying to change that, too.

It was not until the end of our hike that we learned the real reason behind us getting to go. You see, since it was just the two of us scheduled to hike, it was not really a high priority to them. After all, we were just two tourists that scheduled a hike for something to do and, because of the access road issues and possible flashflood, it would be easy to cancel. However, it was my expression of real regret and disappointment to the proprietor at Moloka‘i Fish and Dive about the previous canceling, which was passed along to Lawrence, that inspired him to go forth with this hike. Lawrence said it was that disappointment that he could not let pass. We thanked him for being so honorable.

Because it was just my wife and I on this hike with Lawrence, we had more personal attention. We were able to ask many questions and get a lot of information. That inspired a greater respect by us for the Hawai‘i of the past and for people like Lawrence who are trying to re-invigorate their past culture with the Hawai‘ians of today. We can only hope that his success in this endeavor continues.

We had some real headaches on this trip. The earthquake snarled our inter-island flight in Honolulu; we had plenty of rain and flashflood warnings; and we had to make last minute accommodation plans; but it all seemed worth it. Everything had a great ending because we got our full refund for the prepaid condo rental, the rain held off the day of our hike, and, most importantly, we got to go on this hike!

I love it when things work out like that.

Ā hui hou aku!

Keep in mind that if you go to Moloka‘i and want to hike to the falls at the back of the valley, you will be trespassing on private property if you go it alone. The trail that follows the stream and crosses back and forth sits completely on private property. By contacting Lawrence to schedule a hike, you will not only get to legally enter the property, you will have the honor of learning more of the people and history of this beautiful valley. On top of that, the fees paid go to support the Hālawa Valley Cooperative.

My husband & I recently experienced the Halawa Valley Tour & we would highly recommend this to everyone! This is a rare, authentic, cultural, educational, hands on experience that is one of a kind in Hawaii. A MUST DO when visiting Molokai!!

Getting there involves a fairly long and slightly hair-raising drive, but take it slow and beep on the tight curves and you won't have any trouble. The beach area is amazingly gorgeous, though not for swimming; at least when we were there, the water was much rougher than would be safe. We met some locals (say hi to Ipo!) who were very friendly.

We then took the cultural hike up the valley. The guide is extremely knowledgable about the history of the area - his family has lived there for many centuries, and he currently farms taro as they did. The hike itself is somewhat challenging: it starts by wading through a river (well above my knees, and I'm 5'10") and involves quite a few places where you're climbing piles of boulders. If you're reasonably fit you should be fine, but I recommend that you wear shorts (because long pants will get wet) and good footwear.

The scenery is well worth the hike, though. The jungle is beautiful, with several historic sites along the way, and the waterfall at the end is spectacularly gorgeous. Definitely bring water and preferably food as well, you'll want it when you get there. We didn't swim, but the other folks did and they said it was cold. There's nothing like a beach, getting to the water is another scramble over the boulders.

Overall, definitely worth it.

Unfortunately, we did not have the opportunity to take a tour, but the drive is well worth the time even if one is staying on the west side. The drive, much shorter than the Road to Hana on Maui is beautiful. There are stopping places along the way to have a picnic, take photos or swim. At the end is a small park, a pretty bay with beach and nice views.
From what we were told, one must have a guide to do the hike as it is on private land. Check the options: some guides carry insurance and cost of tours vary.

The views are fantastic. After following a two-lane road along Molokai’s southern shore, a single-lane roads cuts across Molokai’s mountainous eastern end to reach Halawa Bay near the island’s northeast point. This view looks down upon the bay, and it’s another 5 to 10 minute drive down to the bay’s Halawa Beach Park. Bring your own food and drinking water. Once there, one of the two high waterfalls along the stream that feeds into the bay can be seen in the distance inland. The land along the stream before it reaches Halawa Beach Park is largely privately owned.

The valley is very scenic, even if you only view it from an overlook. We hiked to the end of the valley where a spectacular waterfall falls into a plunge pool (yes, people swim there). The hike is not overly difficult, but you will have to ford two streams (each about 20 feet wide) in order to get there. The hike is five miles, round trip.

The drive out to the east coast from the main town takes about an hour each way. For the last half, the road gets narrow and curves a lot; it reminds me of the road to Hana on Maui without the traffic and all the waterfalls (we only saw one waterfall). There is a very pretty view of the beach, but it was packed with locals when we got to it. It looked like a nice place to swim though. If you looking to drive around Molokai, then it’s definitely worth heading to the east coast to look around.

This is a small, single to two lane road down a steep winding mountain. There are some of the most awesome views on the way down. You need to be very careful about traffic and road conditions. The parking at the bottom is very minimal. The view and the beach are worth the trouble. It would be better not to go on a week end.

I did not have a guide, so I only went as far as public access (end of hwy and walk down a little bit of dirt road to the cove) Beautiful views on the way there and at arrival. You can see two waterfalls off in the valley from the cove. The roads are narrow to get there - some one lane only, but traffic is very light. Worth the trip - absolutely. See posted pics. I expect a guided tour is excellent as well.

Extremely pretty drive but extremely sketchy. I never write reviews but felt this is necessary.

Most of the road was a one way. If someone else was coming I really don’t know what I would have done other than reverse which sounded terrible given the road is on an ocean cliff side and is all twists and turns. If you are the one driving, you don’t get to enjoy the scenery as much as passengers as you are focusing 110% of the drive, one error could leave you and everyone in the car dead.

Really pretty though

A bit of a nerve-wracking drive to the end of the road on the east side of Molokai, but well worth it. We got to see some Nene's, some beautiful coastal views, and then the road ends at a nice spot where a river reaches the ocean. Walk a bit out towards the ocean and you look back and get a nice view of some waterfalls. Very nice drive. Glad we did it.

The road to the valley is very beautiful, but a bit dangerous. We've seen bulls in the top of the mountain, fallen rocks on the road, beautiful trees with flowers, amazing valley, waterfall! Came late, so we did not hike, but spend some time on the beach.
Recommend to visit! Beautiful nature on beautiful island!

Everything about this place is amazing. The drive there is fun and beautiful. There is a new view around every corner. Be careful and keep your eye on the road, as the locals go faster than the speed limit and it's often one lane.

Once you get into the valley, you'll find the ruins of an old building on the right side of the road. Behind that is an old cemetery with tombstones that have overgrown brush all around them.

A little further down the road you'll come to a small parking lot with paths to the two bays and beaches. There is a small pool right away, and you can choose where you'd like to set up shop for awhile. I found myself all alone on a stunning beach surrounded by amazing scenery in every direction.

Looking back toward the valley wall, you can see Halawa falls. There are tours that do hikes back to it, although I didn't go on one. If I ever go back to Molokai, I'll make sure to spend a day down here.

We stumbled on the valley by accident--just wondering what was at the end of the road. The drive was beautiful. Incredible shoreline, ranch, and jungle views. The narrow road with drop offs was a bit scary for our driver--who was seriously afraid of heights. Despite that, she managed the required backing up on the curves that was necessary to let uphill bound drivers get by. This was such a beautiful and isolated spot. So serene. I believe the original settlement was destroyed by a Tsunami and only a few houses remain. It was actually Christmas Day and we needed to get back to our rental house to make dinner, so we didn't hike or enjoy the beach, but both seemed like they'd be great.

This is a very winding and narrow road in places, especially after MP 20. Lots of blind corners and a few sections where there is no place to make room for an oncoming car. Take it VERY slowly in those spots and you'll be OK. There is a beautiful and tall waterfall in the valley. We did not take a tour with the landowner, just drove the road in to see the valley and for the adventure of it. If this sounds like your cup of tea, do it.

fertile land below, watered by the river, had ancient taro fields, now renewed by efforts to re-grow taro and other ancient traditions which are being taught to young generations. best poi i ever ate!

The drive to Halawa Valley is exquisite with beach stops, fish ponds, windy roads, ocean views, a couple of little markets and churches, and untouched land. At the end of the road, the east end aquifer, a beautiful river running into the ocean. So very serene.

Getting to the valley involes a long drive on a 1 lane track. The water fall is a long hike 1.5 hrs one way. Its muddy in November and you cross the water which can be tricky when's it's been raining. It is a great waterfall and swimming hole. But not worth paying a local $60 to take you there. There is not a beach area here to hang at other than a rocky spit off the dirt parking lot.

People really should drive to the end of the road. On East Molokai this is it. Local families come up here to enjoy being together and really need their us time. Drive to the bottom, take a quick look out your window, and head back down the highway. When you get up this way there's a lot of one-lane road, and this is really the only safe place to turn around.

We were staying at the beach on the far west end of the island and Halawa Valley is at the Far East end. It’s narrow, windy, roads but oh so worth it!! We saw the falls from the road but didn’t pay to walk to it as you must book this private tour in advance since they don’t go everyday. This is privately owned land. Driving there cost nothing but gas $$$ there are plenty of nice stops to make along the way at parks along the shore, a small church honoring one of the Priests who spent years working with Leprosy patients.

I wasn't able to actually take the hike because it was rained out but the people who run it contacted me almost immediately and offered to reschedule for a future hike or refund us our advanced payment. We were leaving the island the next day so we opted for the refund. It was back on my credit card within 48 hours. We'd been burned by another event operator on the island so the folks at Halawa Valley Cultural Hikes not only restored my money - but my faith in people.

This is one of the most beautiful, peaceful places I've ever been to. The drive to the beaches has breath-taking views of green mountains, waterfalls, beaches, and the ocean. I even saw some whales spouting from the shore. The beaches at the end of the journey feature lush scenery. Once there, you are surrounded by cliffs and vegetation-covered hills. It's an amazing place to swim. I've been here 3 times, and I had the whole place to myself. I didn't find the drive to be difficult or scary...more fun! Just go slowly, take your time, and enjoy the journey.

It is a long drive on a narrow, but good road. Just watch for oncoming cars. This island is not full of tourists, so traffic is not a problem. It is definitely worth the effort. Drive to the end where the park is at the old deserted church ruins. It was destroyed by the tsunami in 1946. The paved road ends, but you can drive to the beach from there. DO take the cultural tour and hike to the falls! It is gorgeous and you learn a lot of the history of the area. You will also get to see photos of what it looked like BEFORE the tsunami hit!

The drive there and cultural tour were wonderful. Be RESPECTFUL or be prepared to pay the $1000 (per person) fine for trespassing. First of all, you're not paying a "local" to hike there, you're paying the property owners for the tour and access to THEIR property. The term "local" implies no property ownership. The hike used to be open to the public until the property owners got tired of being sued by visitors who hurt themselves on THEIR property. That is the difference between being a "local" and a property owner. Now, by no fault of their own, they require all visitors to sign a waiver. We came across two trespassers during our tour and our guide took their picture - which gets sent to the police and airport. Good luck getting off the island without paying the $2,000 fine! These folks had no respect and make the rest of the visitors to the island look bad. With that out of the way, the history of the valley is fascinating and this is one of the few places in Hawaii willing to teach Hawaiian culture to visitors. We had a great time. It started at 9:00am and ended around 3:00pm. I recommend water shoes (the closed toe kind that look like sneakers) or Teva style sandals as you will be stepping into knee high water.

This was an unexpectedly gorgeous drive (very different from the west side of Molokai)! It was Sunday and we had almost no other cars to worry about on the narrow twisted road. At the end we walked across the stream to the ocean and enjoyed the unspoiled view. Also at the end were the locals - having just completed a pig hunt! The dogs were so proud (and tired out). We did not do the hike to the falls. On our flight out from Molokai to Maui, we were able to see it from the air and truly enjoyed the additional perspective.

At the far eastern end of Molokai is the magnificent Halawa Valley & beach. The road leading to the area is narrow, winding & often single lane, but the drive is beautiful & definitely worthwhile. The main beach area is in a protected cove & is accessed by wading across a shallow stream of water. The views back over the Halawa Valley are so beautiful & glimpses of the waterfall can be seen in the distance. The land in the Valley is privately owned, but local guides can be hired to hike into the waterfall for those desiring to hike to the falls.

Halawa is a gorgeous valley at the end of a beautiful drive, but isn't for the faint of heart. The drive is on a long windy road that in many places is not wide enough for two cars to pass each other going opposite directions. That said, the scenery is fantastic and the view to the waterfalls in the valley top notch!

You can feel the presence of Hawaiian royalty..... Truly a breathtaking view. The road is scary ( narrow ) but definitely worth the harrowing experience. I can't say enough about the love I have for Molokai and the wonderful people we met! If you want to experience a real Hawaiian island..... Molokai is it!

It’s a very scenic and exciting drive to get over to Halawa Valley. The road is narrow and steep with rockfall and definitely won’t appeal to everyone. We went for a short walk around the beach when we got there.

Getting to the Halawa Valley involves a very, very long drive on a road with hair pin turns, sheer drop offs and spectacular views. It was stormy on the day we went, but the sun would come through the clouds occasionally, providing a different view with each turn. The drive goes through forests, ranch lands and past multiple beaches- take your time and stop off as much as you can (although it is only a two lane road, so you have to be careful).

If you enjoy nature and the beauty of ocean cost lines backed by mountains, the drive to the Halawa Valley is a "Must Do!"

Because of limited local and tourist population, you can actually enjoy the winding drive on a narrow road to this spectacular spot. We passed only six cars during both ways on the day we went.

At the end, the ocean view with waterfalls behind you is outstanding. It is peaceful and simply beautiful.

We didn't / couldn't do the trail but the view from the road is fantastic and the beach area too, and quiet also

Beautiful drive along coast and mountain areas to get to end of the road. Small bay with black sand. Nice for swimming. A lovely afternoon. Just know that there are no facilities.

We hiked up the valley to one of the greatest waterfalls I have ever seen, a long drop down to a refreshing pool where I went for a swim. We made our own poi, and reveled in the natural beauty of the island as it has been for many years. A must do for anyone visiting Molokai.

drove to the end of the road and saw a sign that said it was the end of the highway. I cautiously proceeded down the hill and onto the dirt road. So glad I did. Just another couple hundred feet to a big parking area and views of the ocean and freshwater river.

this place is very beautiful. I want to take the hike to the waterfall next trip out.

We arrived after a very rainy few days and we're not able to hike the valley… But the views of the water falls from the mouth of the river, and the people themselves, Philipe in particular and his son… What an amazing and magical memory.

The Halawa Valley is lush and gorgeous. The drive to Halawa, spectacular. The hike in to Moa'ula waterfall- fairly easy, interesting and laden with items of historic importance, from petroglyphs to stone walls and a heiau (temple). Swimming under the falls-divine!

So why the low marks? Quite simply, because the guide delivered a 90 minute cultural harangue- it can only be described as that, before handing us off to a guy with little knowledge or understanding of what he was describing on the way.

By cultural harangue I mean a long guilt-inducing lecture on how badly the local Hawaiians have been treated- by the State and County Governments, the National Parks people, the federal government, the military, and on and on.

Not that the lament is unsubstantiated, but the facts remain that the valley was depopulated after nearly 1400 years due to NATURAL events- a devastating tsunami in 1946, followed by land slides and flooding a few years later.

A few people have moved back in recent years, and have eked out a meagre living emulating forebears, but without the critical mass needed to sustain themselves. So it is understandable that carefully managed tourist visits for a $75 fee seems like a good idea.

Problem is that the affair just isn't well organized, and after being assured we were an exclusive group, we encountered another group of a dozen plus people who came in with another guide offering same. On 'boat Wednesdays', there can be 30 plus marching the trail at one time, definitely diluting the experience.

I would still recommend this, but try to ensure you get Anakula Pilipo Solatario to host and lead. He's the real deal.

The drive to the Halawa Valley from Kaunakakai is slow but gorgeous. It is one lane in places and very tortuous, but it is an excellent pavement. Allow about an hour. If you do not pack a little lunch or bring water with you, a stop at Manae Goods and Grinds may add a few minutes to the trip, but it's a nice place to purchase something to take along for lunch at the falls. The 450 highway ends at the meeting place for the hike, but a little road goes on to a parking lot with a very short walk back to the "old pavilion" at which the guide will arrive between 9:00 and 9:30. There may be a hand-written sign on a tree near the pavilion and porta-John that says: "no hike today due to storm warnings". Unless the weather is awful, just disregard that sign and wait for the guide. Don't expect him to be prompt. It's on Hawaii time.
Hiking shoes are suggested, but waterproof shoes with good treads on the bottom would be a better choice or even "Tivas" with good tread. The instructions say: "closed-toed shoes", but the guide told us they had to say that for insurance purposes. The guide goes barefoot, but that is not for the average tourist. There are two places in which the "path" takes one through at least 10-foot wide and 2-4 foot deep rivers with rocky bottoms, so your feet and clothing may get wet.
The hike itself is not strenuous, but the footing both through the streams and especially at the pool under the waterfall can be challenging for the non-athletic person.
It is all worth it, however, because the ancient sites and the historical narrative combined with the unspoiled beauty of the valley are spectacular. It is a wonderful way to get in touch with the true spirit of Hawaii. I highly recommend it, but it isn't even close to being handicapped accessible.

Our first day on Moloka'i we rented a vehicle and drove highway 450, the southern coastal road of the island. Along the way there are beautiful little pockets of beaches and ancient fish ponds being restored. After Kumimi Beach (west of Waialua) the road becomes narrow and some places only one lane - this continues to wind through the hills of west Moloka'i until you reach an overlook where the Halawa Valley can be seen. This along is spectaluar and a photographers dream! Continuing on the road bring you to the valley below, follow the road until you see a sign that says "End State Highway" with a dirt road ahead. This will lead you to a parking area. Get out and walk across the mountain stream that snakes it way along the valley toward the bay. This section along reminded me of photos I'd seen of Thailand and other countries in Asia. There is a long stretch of beach on both sides of the stream. The left side has sand. The right side is covered in large black rocks. The day we were there, locals were surfing in the bay. Looking back into the valley, which is about half a mile wide and about 4 miles deep, is a breathtaking sight - lush and green walls frame a towering waterfall. We just sat in the valley relaxing and taking photos from various angles (and we were not the only ones :)

The review previous to this one talked about saving your $75 to see the waterfall. That person apparently paid an individual to serve as a guide to hike closer to the waterfall. But the waterfall can be seen from both the highway overlook and the beach. The journey to the Halawa Valley is worth the time and the only money you'll put into it is for the cost of gas in your vehicle :)

The road is long, winding but takes your breath away. This drive is indeed worth it. Make sure you go early. We rented a Jeep Wrangler. The road actually ends and then the parking is off-road.

We made the drive to this beautiful, untouched valley and met a nice man and his grandchildren maintaining the restrooms and property just as the road ended. We also saw people across the water bbqing and playing in the water. The drive is a narrow, winding road, but it is beautiful. And totally worth it once you get to the ocean.

We had a great day out and a swim taking a guided tour and hike up the valley. The walk is not too challenging almost any level of fitness could tackle it. The last part, at the waterhole does require some climbing on boulders.

A local took our group and we stopped along the way to hear about the ancient stones, agricultural areas, procreation and birthing area and cemetery! Its all there. Early Hawaiian culture was matriarchal. Very different to how we live today. I found it fascinating to learn about it.

The drive in is very windy. Take your time. There is a shop before the windy part if you need anything. The coastal parts of the drive home are very romantic, passing little beach shacks miles from anywhere.

Don't miss visiting Halawa Valley if you are on Molokai.

It's a winding drive along the coast of Molokai to get to Hawala Valley but it's so worth it. The drive itself is very scenic, just make sure to leave with plenty of time so you don't feel rushed on the many sharp turns and narrow roads.
The actual rainforest hike was amazing. Devak was a great guide who clearly knows everything there is to know about the forest, plants and history. The prehike talk with Greg was also very informative and interesting and we had an amazing time swimming in the pool by Moa'ula Falls. I would just like to thank Greg and his family for sharing all their experience and enthusiasm for the valley and their family and island history.

Halawa Valley is a secluded paradise. The drive to get there is nearly as beautiful. I biked out and back which gave me a unique perspective but you could capture nearly the same essence coming out in a car. If you can get up early enough, you will be the only one on the winding road, I didn't see any other traffic till after 6:30 AM. Definitely plan a full day to get here and back and to stop at some of the sights along the way. I did not walk to the falls as I wasn't ready to part with $60 for a chaperone, however, a local told me you can go for free on Sundays without getting on the bad side of the family who thinks they have a right to charge for access.

The last seven miles (mile 20 to 27) takes about 45 minutes, so allow time. The views are spectacular. It is one lane at times and blind corners. Do stop at the overlook and take a minute. We took the hike and tour with Kalani Pruet of the flower farm. DO take bug spray. The hike is beautiful along ancient walls and taro fields. Crossing the river/creek was fun. The swim at the bottom of the waterfall was chilling, but you have to get in! Kalani was informative, but a little lacking on the cultural side. It might have been a little better to have someone who grew up in the valley to make it a great tour. Overall, a very good experience not to be missed.

Beautiful views. Be patient, pack a lunch snacks and drinks. You can drive as far as the park but cannot go further unless you are with a tour. Would have loved to go further in but drive is on private land. We did not hike into the gorgeous falls. You need to be in good physical health to do so. But those views in were spectacular. The waves were way to strong to swim but we did see one family swim/snorkel in a fish pond area where it was more calm.

We drove out to Halawa Bay on our own from Kaunakakai town. The route takes you along the waterfront as far as Murphy's Beach and then up into the hills to Puu O Hoku Ranch. Along the way, watch out for Kewala Plantation, Kakahaia Wildlife reserve, The Pukahuwa Battlefield where Kamehameha defeated the island rulers to add Molokai to his kingdom, the Smith-Bronte Landing (or crash) site, the Bellstone, Lihuopae Haiue (difficult to find), the Pukoo Grindz store (great for local lunches and strong coffee), a number of taro patches, the Dunbar Cottages, and lots of beaches, harbours and lookout points. If you are lucky you might see a mongoose (which we did see), deer, and even a nene. The road is paved all the way to Halawa, although you should watch for rock fall on the switchbacks down int to he bay. We regretfully had not booked the hike up to the falls, and the local tropical flower farms was closed the day we drove out. We parked at the end of the road and walked the beaches and waded in the river, and then headed back. If I ever go to Molokai again, I will book the hike and if it's available might stay at one of the cottages at Puu O Hoku ranch because this end of the island is really something.

This is so much more than a hike to a waterfall. Anakala Pilipo Solatorio was 7 years old when the 1946 tsunami hit Halawa. You share a Honi ceremony (Hawaiian breath exchanging) before he tells you the history and culture of the valley from his own personal experiences. His son leads the hike to the falls. No offense but all the other guides do not include the cultural part and are just hikes to a waterfall.

Such a wonderful time learning from Father and Son about the Halawa Valley, its history, its culture, its way of life today, how to identify trees without looking at leaves, and learning to love this valley on Molokai that many may never see. Am glad there is a documentary being made to let others know of this unique place and where it fits into the greater global picture of ohana.

it will be worth your time to take this hike

A slow ride to Halawa Valley a must-book a visit in the flower farm and visit the
water falls!See black beaches,native,book deep see fishing with Walter Naki.
The road is narrow and there are lots of turns with poor visibility.
Bring lunch,sun screen and water.Maui will be so close!
On the way stop and buy local fruits,ice cream,lunch half way to Halawa.Talk to the locals!

It was a very nice view from on the way there. We got there and there's a lot of people swimming and having a picnic. The river was kinda murky and people were washing their pots and pans there. We went to the ocean side and there's a lot of kids surfing. Fun to watch and makes you wanna go swimming. The waves are too rough though.

I scheduled our visit and hike directly with Kalani Pruett at molokaiflowers.com. It is less expensive than scheduling it through the Hotel or other places. The drive to the valley was exciting and delightful, especially when the road turns to 1 lane.
The hike up the valley was about 1 1/2 hrs. The grade of the trail is gentle. There is a place where you have to cross a large boulder field where one of the streams comes off the mountain, burt all in all, everyone made it find through it by just going very slow and careful.
The tour of Kalani's flower farm was very enjoyable as well. I love bright, colorful flowers.
All in all, a very pleasant day spent in Halawa Valley.

An incredibly enriching experience in every way. Your guide will take you on an enthralling journey of history and adventure, beauty and meaning. This is a profoundly moving and soul-filling place.

We went there today with our two kids and we walk around the beach, my husband went back to the car to get something for our kids and 3 locals guys who leave there in the tents physical attack my husband without any reason in front of me and my kids be aware there is not signal there to call the police if something happens, this was a really bad experience and traumatize our kids with this people behavior, luckily we ran out to our car and leave.

It wasn't really a sunny day during our visit in April but the gloomy weather even intensified the whole experience. We felt like being at the end of the world. We dipped our feet in estuarial waters and chatted with two local guys about life in Molokai. By the way, when you go down to the valley through a forrest, there's a tiny green and white chapel on your left. It was open when we passed by and it's worth stopping there.

We highly recommend taking the Culture Hike through the Halawa Valley to Mo'oula Falls with the Solatorio family. Before heading out on the trail they gave us a wonderful overview of the local cultural history. During the hike our guide Shaun taught us about the native plants and trees, worship sites, and burial grounds. We ate lunch at the foot of the beautiful falls and swam in the waterfall pool.
We did this hike by ourselves 20 years ago but this trip was so much more meaningful with a local guide.

My adult daughter and I took the guided tour to Halawa Falls through Molokai Flowers on Labor Day. We met Kalani at the Saturday Growers Market in Kaunakakai; his flowers are stunning and grown in Halawa Valley at his farm which has been in his family since the 1840's; Kalani receives tour requests via email and tells you date, time and what to bring for the hike via return email. (Cell phone reception is limited in this deep beautiful valley). It is a long drive to Halawa, several miles along a serpentine, single lane road, so allow 1.5 hours from Kaunakakai or 2 hours from Maunaloa. The scenery is breath-taking, looking down from high cliffs to the ocean and Maui across the channel. John, Kalani's son, took us on the hike - 2 hours up and 2 hours back with 30 minutes to swim at the base of the falls. John was great with lots of information about the plants, trees, and ancient Hawaiian remains along the trail. John does the hike barefoot!! Upon our return, Kalani and his wife, Joan, were ready with fresh fruit smoothies, a tour of the flower farm, and great stories about life off the grid in this lush valley by the sea. This tour is worth the trip!

As far east as you can go on Molokai. Narrow but paved road with respectable altitude changes making for some great views. Wonderful, shady forest at the end. Nice beach and beautiful views of the cliffs to the east. Covered picnic area before you get to the beach parking along with port-a-potties. Also there are the ruins of a large building with some graves from the late 1800's out back. You also go past Murphy's Beach on drive out. Worth a trip.

We spent four night on Molokai, While there isn't a lot to do on Molokai, it is beautiful. and the drive to Halawa Valley is totally worth it. The road narrows and narrows, curves a lot, then just ends. It's great. And beautiful, and serene. And not many people either. Highly recommended.

The drive is very difficult and you tube videos we watched ahead of time made it seem a better destination than it really is so don’t be fooled by the you tubers who like to put out click bait. Small rocky beaches and brownish sand with no amenities. Any hiking in area is on private property so you need a local guide to arrange ahead of time. Disappointing.

5 stars for sure. First, when you book, prepare for the following: 1-1.5 bour drive to the valley depending on where you are driving from, stunning scenery along the way, 6 miles of one-lane road with tight spots, hairpin turns and steep declines...but nothing as bad as Maui's road to Hana. Prepare for no-notice cancellations due to weather...this is because the rivers that you cross rise suddenly and can trap hikers putting everybody at risk..
and there is no way of knowing until Greg scouts the falls out and reads the flow volume from afar. Also prepare that this place is stunning yet off the grid completely...and the 12 people that still reside in Halawa Valley, to include Pilipo and his son Greg, run the tours...by themselves. There is no way for them to communicate that am if weather changes and tour cancelled... you won't know until you drive to the meeting point...but understand that is part of the experience...you are truly stepping back through generations of time. The cultural experience you receive is true Hawaiian...and the island of Molokai is perhaps the most native of the islands I've seen. The Halawa Valley is the oldest settlement in HI. During the tour, you receive quite the learning experience of their family, ways of life, language, customs, and the land. Part of the tour is the hike to the falls...and Greg narrates/explains enthusiatically about his culture and history. The hike is moderate...with two significant river crossings...the second containing lots of rock and slippery. While trail is moderate, it isn't meant for someone who never hiked before. The tour claims to end by 1:30; however, in that depends on stream conditions and, most importantly, how inexperienced (slow) the fellow tour mates are. In my case, tour didn't finish until 3:30 (note, there was one older lady who shouldn't have hiked). Incredible experience, can't replicate this anywhere...but set aside the entire day to go account for the scenic rural stops along the way. Mahalo!

Long beautiful drive to halawa valley
Lots to see along the way- fr Damien churches, battlefields, ancient Hawaiian sites, and beautiful Murphys Beach at mile 20...the beach at the bay is pristine and protected- bring a picnic and book and wading shoes to cross a little creek...wish we had booked a cultural tour to the waterfalls

We made reservations online for the orientation and hike to the falls, but on the day of the hike, the tour guide and owner of the property met us at the Halawa park pavilion to explain that the river was too high at 9 a.m. to take the walk up the valley safely on his family's property, but we could stay for the "cultural tour" and then maybe hike up to the falls if the water levels went down. While we were glad not to be endangered, but paying $40 per person to sit for 3 hours indoors in a small lanai to listen to a very repetitive talk was not pleasant nor fair. Greg should have explained he would charge us $40 apiece even if we didn't get to experience of getting outside at all to see ancient Hawaiian archeological sites and the taro gardens, etc. It's not just the waterfalls, Greg, that we wanted to see, but also the Halawa Valley and your activities in it.$20 apiece would have been more than enough for a short lecture and a tour of your gardens and a demonstration of how you do traditional throw net fishing. And don't play favorites and do more with some visitors for the price but not everyone. Be fair!

We were honored to take a tour up the valley with one of the old owners of the Halawa Valley. We had lunch under the waterfall and enjoyed all the natural scenery.

A spectacular drive to a beautiful beach. Wish we had taken suits to swim. There were surfers even in the drizzling weather.

This valley is beautiful! We just drove down without doing a tour and explored a little bit. The views were all amazing.

Getting there the road becomes a little treacherous, with a single, narrow lane, that has plenty of sharp curves. If you are riding down there along the outside of the cliff, don't pull your car over to let another pass. Let the other car, on the inside of the lane, next to the mountain, figure it out! Once there, it becomes magical. There is an ancient burial site which is overgrown with bushes. There is a small beach there and a picnic table to sit at. Bring some snacks, and water. Relax and stay awhile, so you can feel the ambiance of the ocean and quietude. My friend and I met up with some Hawaiian locals that were there setting up tents for a birthday party. They were all so friendly and loving people, and told us stories of growing up nearby and spending many outings on this beach as children. Halawa Valley will always be a very special memory for me.

The drive to the Halawa Valley is picturesque. Even though the hiking trail to the waterfall is no longer open to the public (i.e. those without a paid guide who don't want to hike for hours), the road there is very scenic. I couldn't imagine going to Molokai and not taking this drive - you never know if you will ever be back, so don't miss the great views.

The black sand beach at the end is unique. The beach has some powerful surf waves and is not recommended for poor swimmers. I went in and it felt a little dangerous, but that was part of the experience. Wouldn't want to get dragged out to sea, though, which felt like a possibility. Besides three surfers in the water, there were only two other people on the beach.

There are 3 separate guides now that give this hike. The niece/nephew of the original now retired guide can be arranged through Molokai Fish/Dive, and a student of Hawaiian history that lives in the valley can be arranged through the Hotel Molokai. I'm not sure how the 3rd choice is lined up. I had the Hotel Molokai choice, and it was a deeply cultural experience. Further, I felt it was heartfelt, almost a religious undertaking by my guide. I dug this trip! I learned all about the spiritual history of the valley and its people, while having a nice walk through a beautiful valley, ending at a very tall and first class fall. This is my idea of an ideal morning. i felt the guide was able to tie together the micro events in the valley with the macro events in Molokai at large, and the past with the future, in a meaningful way. The sincereity was real and a joy.

We followed the highway at the base of the cliffs as it wound around up and up, ever higher, leaving the crashing waves below us. The trip offered the most breathtaking views of ocean and Maui. We continued until the highway gave way to sand and then finally the beach. Once we disembarked and followed a path, we found ourselves surrounded by cliffs, standing on the shore, with the ocean waves crashing before us with resounding roars. I had to sit in the sand and just take it all in. There was a mist, and the waterfall could be seen in the distance behind us. At one point, I couldn't tell if the roaring crashing was coming from the waves or in the form of thunder from the skies. At that moment, I just felt that I was at the beginning of time. This is how life was meant to be. Peaceful, wondrous, and being present.

Like the rest of Molokai, the Halawa Valley is pretty secluded and private. The road to get here is pretty quiet and not for anyone who is prone to carsickness. Nice black sand beach and some decent surfing here. You need to have permission to hike up to the falls or take a tour. They are worth the trek...last time we grabbed a bunch of lillikoi and mountain apples. The swim in in the pool is so refreshing...the closer you swim to the falls the harder it gets....the water comes down really hard. Love this area of the island

One of the highlights of my 2-week stay in Molokai. Starts with an interesting hour-long discussion about the history and culture of Hawaii, Molokai and Hālawa Valley. Fascinating. Learned a lot. The hike was moderate but not easy—had to navigate over and under fallen trees and over streams. Be sure to bring good hiking and water shoes. The highlight of the day were the waterfalls and the swimming hole—brace yourself for chilly water! Acclimated quickly. The drive to and from Halawa was a treat unto itself — narrow, winding road along the cliff with outstanding views. Halawa Valley Beach itself was not as nice as Murphy Beach (mile post 20) or Sandy Beach (about two miles further east), which you pass along the way. Even though the guides charge $75/person, I highly recommend — the trail and waterfalls are on private property so you can’t do it on your own.

It was late in the day when we made the drive to HV plus it had been raining pretty heavily so we opted to stop at the end of the road and enjoy the surf and the views. As others have noted, the road narrows from two lanes to one for a good part of the way. I made a mental note of the mile marked where this happened but, of course, promptly forgot. The drive is reminiscent of the drives along the coastline of the other islands in that there's lots of vegetation and the road regularly swoops back into the valleys.
Slow down and enjoy. Not to be missed.
Recommended

I can absolutely recommend the Halawa Valley Tour on Molokai! It is one of my top highlights during my Hawaii trip and definitely a must if you are on the island. I took part in it today and am still fascinated and inspired by Greg and his passion for teaching you about Hawaiian culture and history. The hike to the beautiful waterfall was the icing on the cake.

Greg is such a friendly, warm-hearted person and it is impressive how he is connected to nature and shares all his huge knowledge about it.

Mahalo Greg for sharing your culture and showing us your beautiful home. You are doing a great job!

Scheduled thru Hotel Molokai. We expected a quick 2 hour hike to the falls and back -

The teachers son met us, led us onto their land and taught us about the formal Hawaiian greeting - complete with conch shell horn and chanting to announce our arrival. The breathing in of the hosts essence - hard to describe but we felt honored to be treated as friends by someone we just met. We sat on his lanai and he talked about the history of the area for almost an hour - WOW - talk about a cultural wake up call. Then his son took us up the trail. Be prepared for river crossings - if you aren't good with balance, be prepared to walk in the water crossing the stream 3 times. Along the way, he pointed out the foundations of homesteads. He picked plants, cut them up and gave us a taste - showing us how they could live off the land. Becoming one with the land. The waterfall was beautiful. My wife swam in it, but it was a little chilly for me. A little faster on the return trip. What we thought would be a quick 2-3 hour hike was a 5 hour adventure that we are really glad we didn't miss. After coming back down, we walked to the end of the road, swam in the salty ocean in the cove, then rinsed off in the fresh water stream that started at the falls we saw earlier. GREAT DAY -

We agree about the windy road to get to the meeting spot. It can be fun if you like this kind of driving. Be sure to leave extra time to get there as the road gets narrower and more windy the closer you get to the end.

You have to do this tour to get a real appreciation of the history of the islands and the peoples efforts to maintain their heritage.

We spent an inspiring and beautiful half day learning about local cultural traditions and hiking to one of the waterfalls with Halawa Valley Falls Cultural Hike, the only way to explore this valley. We were lucky to meet three generations of the guide family, all incredibly friendly and very knowledgeable about this area.

This is a very pretty drive. The road narrows to one lane, so you have to watch for oncoming traffic with only a few places to pass. You see waterfalls in the distance. Several nice beaches along the way with great snorkeling.

The drive on the east side of Molokai was stunning, I did in on bike and car and it was remarkable. The beach at the end of the drive is something out of a Hollywood movie imo.

The only disappointment was the hike to the falls. At 60 bucks a pop it would have cost our family 360 USD for a hike.....can't say I've every paid for a hike before. Didn't take away from the experience though, there's other places to hike on the island.

We had flash flood concerns so couldn’t do the hike to the waterfall but still did the cultural portion. (Getting a prorated refund for not having the full experience - had option to reschedule the hike) The history was interesting and very personal to the family. I loved that. We had two kids with us (4 and 6) and the discussion was great for them. The 4 year old got a bit bored but the 6 year old is still repeating facts he learned so that’s awesome. I’m mostly here to say that I was prepared to bring kids on the hike and there were four other kids under 7 that showed up prepared to do the same. The reviews don’t cover kids much and I wanted to mention them so other people have some info. Sadly, we didn’t do the hike so I can’t speak to appropriateness of the hike to my kids’ ages. Just that they were welcomed and we felt like we weren’t the only ones braving the experience with kiddos.

A very enjoyable drive along the coast to this valley. The views along the coast are some of the best. Molokai at its BEST. Take your time and enjoy the view. The road at times is quite narrow with a few blind spot corners, but well worth the drive.

A long, beautiful drive to this amazingly gorgeous spot. Lots of places to stop and see on the way, lava to climb on and places to put your feet in the water. Historical sites, man made fish ponds, churches. At the end you can see three waterfalls in the distance, the gorgeous mountains, the ocean, black sand beach, just breathtaking.

The guide takes you through the remnants of an ancient Hawaiian village and fields they once worked. He describes in detail the many trees and their uses along the way. Most of the fields are overgrown but the remnants of lava stone walls are still present. You can see a birthing stone, alter, and foundation of the chief's home. The only difficult part of the hike was crossing the river and that was only because the large boulders required some "fancy" stepping. It should be no problem for most people, especially if they are willing to let their feet get wet.
The falls are quite nice. Our group encountered two other groups at the falls. These pool below the falls provides an opportunity to swim and cool off.
The description indicates that the hike takes about 3 to 3.5 hours. We spent about 5 but we asked a lot of questions and enjoyed every moment of it.

This was an amazing experience! Be prepared for it to last the full five hours. I thoroughly enjoyed the first hour of Greg sharing parts of his culture and family history coupled with photographs. I don't think I'll look at anything that I do in Hawaii the same ever again now that I've been given a glimpse into the "authentic Hawaiian culture" that is still alive in the Halawa Valley.

Greg's son, nephew, and cousin did a wonderful job helping with the river crossings (more on this later) and were a wealth of knowledge being able to answer just about any question that we asked. They made my mom (just turned 60 and hates water) more comfortable crossing the unexpected rivers.

A thing to note: this hike is not super easy (but nor is it super difficult), you are going up and over obstacles the entire way up. It is roughly 2+ miles from the picnic area that you meet at. There isn't much elevation gain, but lots you can trip on so you have to pay attention to where you walk. Also, depending upon the rain, these are definitely river crossings. My husband and I started with hiking shoes but quickly changed into high quality water shoes with rubber soles for the remainder of the hike. I would highly recommend this option so you don't have to carry your hiking shoes, but make sure that they are higher quality ones that have a rubber sole (not foam). The river crossings were higher than usual due to rain, but be prepared to cross in knee deep water with current. As mentioned the guides did an amazing job getting people across without incident, but that was something we weren't expecting when we booked. I also wouldn't recommend this for young children, I'd probably keep it to a capable 7 year old and up, otherwise you might end up carrying them across the rivers which looks dangerous.

Overall, an AMAZING experience that I would do again in a heart beat. My husband and I loved every minute of it. Don't let the price tag sway you, it is well worth the amount paid.

It is well worth to take the drive to the Halawa Beach park. The road was very narrow in many places, but the drive was extremely beautiful. The highway ends at the park. The surroundings looked kind of deserted and there were signs indicating no trespassing. There was also a sign that said no hiking today due to rain and the track was dangerous. It seemed like it has been there for a long time. We could see a tall waterfall far away, but there no way to get there without a guide.

The beach area was serene and there were two families with kids who were on floaters. Other than that there was no sign of life. One could see the destruction caused by past tsunamis in the area.

My friend and i visited from missouri and decided to take the cultural hike. Omg, im so glad we did it..it was one of the most amazing things i have seen and felt! We had the honor of being guided by the grandson, Devak, and wow, he was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. Thank you for the wonderful history lesson and a fabulous hike and extraordinary scenery. I feel honored to be allowed to share a glimpse into your life..thank you for a great time!

Get a tour with the locals who are descendants of the original family that continues to live here. It is so interesting and fascinating to learn the history of the place as well as the culture. The tour guide is incredibly knowledgeable...he's lived here his whole life and is just such a rich resource! You need to go here. Go east until the road ends and meet at the Halawa park...you need to get there before 9am! Only day there is not a tour is Sunday. It's $65 for the tour if I remember correctly...and that is the only way to hike and experience Halawa Valley since it is privately owned. There is a beautiful waterfall at the end of the hike that you can swim in...just lovely.

The drive to Halawa Valley was as beautiful as the actual destination. Many pristine beaches and breathtaking views of the Moloka’i coastline and cerulean blue water. To say this is sacred space is an understatement!

My gf and I drove to the valley from Kaunakakai. Took us about 90 minutes because we made a few stops at some pretty little beaches along the way. The road goes to one lane the last few miles, but there's virtually no traffic. We met 2 other cars on the road, and getting around them was not an issue. Near the end of the road, we saw a beautiful waterfall down the mountain on the left. The rest of the valley was green and lush with vegetation and wildflowers. What a beautiful place!

We were privileged to experience the Halawa Valley with Kalani Pruett and it was an incredible journey. We were with one other couple in our age group, 60 plus, and Kalani's patience with our speed and ability was perfect. Kalani shared his extensive knowledge and passion for the land as we progressed up the trail. We knew what accomplished navigators Hawaiians were but had no idea of their extensive agrarian accomplishments over many hundreds of years. And, of ourse, the Falls was magnificent! Our hike was followed by a tour of Kalani's Kuleana Flower Farm and his delicious fresh fruit smoothies. Even though I have bad knees, I found the hike to be very doable in Kalani's care! Mahalo Kalani & family!

Firstly, if you are a nervous driver or passenger, this drive is NOT for you. To get to the Halawa Valley, the road is narrow, full of blind corners, steep inclines and high cliffs. But the reward at the end of this drive is worth it all: a gorgeous jewel of a pristine valley and small bay. It is about as isolated as you can get in Hawaii, and a great place to come for a picnic, a swim, or just to admire the unending and unbelievable natural beauty.

This is a must place to see. We drove down to bottom of valley along a spectacular road with views round each corner. There is a car park with plenty of space, and you can walk to the beach. You can see the waterfalls from the car park this we just photographed them, didn't walk up to them. There is a beautiful church just of the road on left going down and ruins on right hand side of the other old church which was neglected then destroyed by fire.

I booked the hike to Halawa falls months in advance of my vacation. When I checked the website a few weeks before our visit it stated that the date I had reserved was now cancelled. I never received an email or phone call stating that it was cancelled. When I emailed Jenn she told me that the hike was indeed cancelled on the day I reserved. I was unable to schedule for another date because I was only on Molokai for four days. What a disappointment. I will probably never get another chance to go back to Molokai. I did receive a refund but be prepared for your hike to be cancelled without reason or notice!

My gf and I drove to the valley from Kaunakakai. Took us about 90 minutes because we made a few stops at some pretty little beaches along the way. The road goes to one lane the last few miles, but there's virtually no traffiic. We met 2 other cars on the road, and getting around them was not an issue. At the end of the road we were rewarded with some gorgeous views of this beautiful valley with waterfalls streaming down the steep cliffs

The drive to get there takes about an hour but plan on booking a hike through Molokai Fish and Dive to get the real experience. If you just drive there you can just see waterfalls from a distance. If you do the hike you will learn about the culture and what a small portion of the actual culture is actually like, not what your hotel tells you. The hike is pretty easy if you don't spend your entire day sitting in a chair. Plan for a decent path in the woods with hills and rocks. If you are not sure footed you may want to rethink this walk as there plenty of tripping hazards along the 2 mile one way hike. The whole tour is worth it and the views are great, don't forget the bug spray and your swim suit. This is actually one tour I would tip on as well, the guide does a great job.

It's a tough road in but worth the effort to see this beautiful verdant valley and nice beach at the mouth of a mountain stream. Two beautiful waterfalls in the distance as an added bonus. It was raining so we didn't have a chance to go up the trail to the falls- but the beach was fine and we enjoyed body surfing the mellow waves

The "Road to Halawa" is gorgeous and not nearly as harrowing as the Road to Hana. The ride along the southern shore of Molokai is breathtaking. There are places to pull off and take in the beauty. There are also several beaches along the way to stop and spend a few hours. Be sure to stop at the beach at MM 20. As the road turns away from the water and starts heading up you are nearing Halawa. Once there the valley and sculpted mountains are awe inspiring. The waterfalls are very far away. We did not do the hike. Honestly, we enjoyed the drive and views along the water more than the valley.

Visited this early one morning before there was not much traffic on the road and had a wonderful time. It is a much more enjoyable drive when you don't have to fight traffic on the narrow roads in this part of the island.
The view at the end of the road was great and there were many great views along the way. I think the drive back offers better views than the drive there. It was also much easier to spot the beaches on that side of the island when driving back from Halawa Valley.
If you are thinking about road biking while on Molokai, this would be a good part of the island to consider.

Do NOT miss this! Call Eddie Tanaka for your guide. Soak in the culture, swim in the astonishingly cold waters below the falls.

After the interesting and winding road leading into to the valley (plus picking up a tourist out there hitch hiking in the middle of nowhere) we were ended up at the beach at the end of the road. There we got to meet Anakala Pilipo Solatorio the last living native Hawaiian that was born, raised and still lives in the valley. He was there with his granddaughter while his wife was baking. We had a wonderful time chatting about his life and the history of the valley. You need permission from a local or to be on a tour to go to the 240 ft waterfall. (Sad story about a lawsuit to thank for that) Pilipo used to do the tours himself but his son Gregory does them now. I would try to go with them if you want the real deal. You won't be sorry. His son's website is www.halawavalleymolokai.com and his email is slydahsurf@gmail.com

If you book the correct guide Phillipo you will not be dissapointed his indepth knowledge and warmth is unmeasurable, if you wait at the hut/toilet area just before beach at 9am you can cut out the middle man and save $20 per head. The walk is worth reaching the waterfalls, I got to swim out to the falls, there is talk of a campsite in the valley soon.
uncle Phillipo and his son Greg are fantastic reliable people who make the experience memorable, I have made the trip to the valley 7 times and infant was married in the valley at the picturesque church at the bottom of the road, Molokai and Halawa Valley are fantastic

We arranged our hike through the Hotel Molokai, and this hike to the bottom of the falls was excellent! The trip out is a bit strenuous with 2 river crossings, but the guide took good care of us, and explains many plants, trees, and historical items along the way.... The end of the hike at the falls bottom is worth it... Pure old Hawaii....

We did this walk with Eddie Tanaka, and it was a deeply moving experience. You are walking through ancient Hawaiian sacred space. Eddie takes you on a quiet lovely journey through space and time. He can be reached at 808 658-0190

You feel like the only tourists on the island. You might be! There is nothing here for tourists to "DO". No boat rides. No surfing. No parasailing. No shops but very old, primitive ones. Just one market, you buy what they have, not what you want. Two gas stations, one health center, all unpainted and in poor repair.

Then there is the natural splendor you hear about! The lush green cliffs rise 3500 feet above the sea. Waterfalls fall miles into long green valleys. Warm bays and coves are splendid. Lots of hiking, exploring abandoned sugar and pineapple company towns, now ghost towns. Found a place that sold wild Axis deer meat .. The deer are natives of India, a gift to King Kamehameha. He let them go free on Molokai to give them room to roam. They are everywhere. The mildest, sweetest venison ever.

A huge problem is that the ferrel pigs, or boars, are totally ruining the land by overuse. Land is eroded to red bareness. The streams run red with run off, polluted with feces. No one can swim or fish on the south side of Molokai due to this vile pollution. A beautiful reef holds the nasty run off inside its walls, so the ocean is spoiled on the south shore. By pigs!

But water around the other sides is clear. Tomorrow we do the one activity.: fly down to Kaunuapapa (sp?) to the oldest, largest leper colony. The only other way down the cliff is by mule. The sadness, inhumane treatment of those with Hansen's disease was unnecessary. The people are so friendly here, always ready to joke and laugh with us. It has been a great adventure!

Our hike was actually cancelled. It seems there was a flash flood watch out for Maui county and the company could not risk taking us out in the event of a flood. Instead we spent a couple of hours in the classroom at their house learning about the Hawaiian language, culture and life in the Halawa Valley before the Tsunami of 1946. Anakala Pilipo and Greg Solatorio spent a considerable amount of time explaining the culture of Molokai and the way of life followed by people in this valley since 650 A.D. It was a very moving experience and we felt like friends in their home as they shared stories of the area and their lives with us. While it was disappointing to miss the falls and the hike, the time we spent learning from these two practitioners of the traditional Hawaiian life was incredible and we will remember it forever. The drive to the valley was very beautiful and the scenery is spectacular but after learning about the people that settled this area and the life they lived we felt like we had a much deeper understanding and appreciation for the people and the place. This is truly an experience that can't be replicated!

This experience was Magical! The drive to the East end of the island was beautiful and the beach looks like a postcard. We are so appreciative of the Solatorio family for making this adventure possible! This is not your typical tourist tour, this is an adventure to remember always!

The ride out the east side of the island turns into a one lane road along rocky beaches, then winds up to the top of a hill, then back down to the Halawa valley. At the end of the road is Halawa beach park. The hike up the trail to the falls was closed when we visited due to muddy conditions and high water. We had a picnic at a table a the end of the trail, then walked out into the park. This is a small bay at the east end of the island where the river down the mountain meets the ocean. We saw people fishing, families with small children roaming the bay and beach, and plenty of ocean, mountains and beach. This is a quiet and peaceful place.

Very much enjoyed the hike. Waterfall is spectacular. Enjoyed commentary. Leader was very good with our adventuresome seven year old.
One word of caution: path very irregular, must be steady on feet

Take the last few miles of the drive to Halawa very carefully. Philip and his family are very proud of their culture and they took about an hour to talk about their experiences and how they interact with others that reside in the valley.
The hike is quite intense and would not recommend this to someone that is not athletic or in questionable shape. The first crossing of the river has the hiker up to their knees in swift water, stepping on quite large, slippery immersed rocks. The second crossing of the river near the end of the hike is across boulders. Again, BEWARE, this was not easy for me and suspect that it will be difficult for many if not most people.
Wear shoes that you don't care about the condition after you complete the hike. They will get wet and muddy. Bring Bug Spray because misquotes are plentiful.
Bring a sandwich with you because the tour stops at the falls for an hour or so. Don't expect a sandy beach somewhere near the falls. You will have to find a comfortable rock to rest and eat. Don't forget the camera.

Let my pictures speak for themselves. I am too fat and pregnant right now to do the hike but just the drive past the old ancient Hawaiian fish ponds and the views of the waterfalls and surf was well worth the trip. Make sure to stop at Mana'e for food, reasonably priced and delicious sandwhichs, fresh fruit, and mahi mahi plate lunches and delicious breakfasts like French toast and bacon

Fundamentally this is a fairly easy hike to a pretty waterfall. You must be guided on the hike because the waterfall is private. My main issue here is that the guide was somewhat overbearing and preachy. The hike runs pretty slowly, mostly because the trail is quite muddy and slippery. There is one small stream crossing, where you don't need to get wet feet, but you may end up a bit wet anyway. This is far from the prettiest waterfall in the islands and the history is interesting, but should be toned down a bit.

This is a nice drive, it takes a while to get to the end but very scenic. some great beaches to visit on the way. Some of the locals may seem to give you a little stink eye at the bottom. Just be respectful.

Plan on leaving early in the morning to make the drive out the Halawa Beach Park. It is a long twisty road that has more turns than the road to Hana on Maui. Beautiful secluded place!

Culturally awakening, physically demanding, intellectually challenging, emotionally satisfying. Don’t miss.

We wanted to hike into the Halawa Valley to the Moaula Falls and Hipuapua Falls, but the only way you can do this is through a tour led by, I think, the Nature Conservancy which departs from the parking area at 9 a.m. Since we were staying at the West end of the island in Maunaloa, this just wasn't going to happen as that is about a 2 hour drive. We decided to drive down so that we could at least see the falls from the beach area and the road on the way. This in and of itself was a spectacular view.

We were just arriving and getting our chairs and picnic lunch to go out to the beach and we were approached by Suzanne, who is a resident in the Valley, to see if we'd like to hike out to the waterfall? We told her that we definitely would and made plans to meet her later. After lunch and some beach time, we met her and hiked out to the waterfall. It could not have been a better situation!! She showed us many of the wild fruits (which we tryed), plants, etc!! We stopped at her home on our way back where she gave us passion fruit, star fruit, coffee beans and cocoa beans to try that she has been growing!!! She can take small groups of people out to the falls since she is a resident, otherwise you need a special permit to go out there. You can contact her through her artist website at: http://www.hawaiieventsartist.com

This is the end of road on the east side of Molokai. The last few miles of the road are narrow and very windy, but certainly worth the drive. Two waterfalls are always flowing inside the valley and guided walking tours are available.

Don't miss a stop at this beautiful beach area. There is a parking area at the end of the road, literally. There are two beach areas, one more accessible if the tide is out. The sunrise here is amazing. Most weekdays this place will be lightly used, so enjoy the solitude and the beauty. And beauty it is.

I learned so much from the pre-hike talk, and am glad I did this before other touristy things in the other islands. Greg and Devak were so kind to share their land, food, knowledge and family with us. The hike itself is around 3 miles each way, and the toughest parts were the river crossings. Pro-tip, wear shoes in the river, even if it means hiking with wet shoes the rest of the way.
This is a great way to get immersed in real Hawaiian culture, I highly recommend it as a top thing to do.

You need to get an early start out to the end of the island on a windy and beautiful road. You will meet your guide Greg at a park with port-a-potties. Layer on your bug spray and plan on getting dirty. The hike is, as mentioned, muddy and slippery with two stream crossings. Tennis shoes, hiking boots or Tevas would be great. During the hike there isn't a whole lot of talking as everyone is trying not to fall, but once you are at the falls the pool is fresh and it isn't often you get to swim beneath a waterfall. Greg is passionate about his culture, so is his father, and if you aren't interested in the history of the island, the presentation is probably too long. I just wished they had encouraged us, or even explained how to get down to their beach when we were returned to the park.