Parking at the Waipio Valley over night (Kukuihaele: rental, camping)

[wikiwikirunner]

Me and a friend will be hiking the Muliwai trail up into the Waimanu Valley later on this week. If we park at the Waipio valley parking lot overnight will the car be safe from break-ins etc. during the night? As a side note has anyone hiked the muliwai trail and want to share the experience?

[atp162]

It's not advisable to park at the overlook parking lot overnight, though some people leave their cars on the side of the road outside the lot, at their own risk. Most people who are camping in Waimanu park at Waipio Artworks in Kukuihaele for about $5/day. It's about a 15-min. walk to the lookout.

Get an early start if you intend to make Waimanu Valley in 1 day. It's 9 miles and a 1200' elevation gain from Waipio Valley going into Waimanu, and the climb can get very hot. You also need to cross Waipio Stream, so bring reef shoes or something to protect your feet from the rocks unless you don't mind wet boots.

[whynot?]

In my experience, it is never "safe" to leave your car -- especially a rental -- parked with anything in it. Even if there is nothing left inside you'll risk a break-in, sadly. The bar code on the window makes any rental vehicle vulnerable. Local vehicles do not fare much better, mind you, as desperation tends to drive this kind of pernicious, annoying crime.

You can leave a note that says there's nothing in the vehicle, but you would be assuming that the potential perp could read, would read, and wouldn't just break in to prove a point (or "test" you). This is one of the most embarrassing things that locals have to explain to visitors. I long for an earlier day when even locking the car was unnecessary.

[Kohala Coast tennis]

Has anyone heard of a hostel near the lookout? Maybe they would let you park your car there.

[Galactastica]

i did the muliwai trail last month. you are not allowed to park at the overlook, there is someone there everyday and they will tow your car. waipio valley artworks charges $15 a day for parking there over night. that's what we did and as expensive as it was, our car was safe and sound.
i would suggest parking there and hitching as far as you can into waipio, you'll be happy you did once you are on that z trail.
the only real advice i would have is don't under estimate bringing bug spray.
other than that, it's amazing. you will love it. the 2 Z trails are the only parts that are tiring/hard at all. i assume you've done research if you're hiking it at all so i won't go into where to get water and stuff but if you have any questions i might be able to help you with just let me know!
haylan

[wikiwikirunner]

the car we're going to park isn't a rental, just to clear that up. we're still planning the trip out, but my friend who was going to come with me injured his foot, so i might have to wait a little while before i have someone to go with me. i've been up to the waipio valley before and seen the Z trail, looks pretty tough, but ive hiked plenty like that before, dont think it should be too bad. I'll let everyone know when we do it and how it was!

[Kohala Coast tennis]

wikiwikirunner, I asked around and there is a private hostel near the lookout. Send me a direct message and I will get you the proprietor's name and number. You can ask about car storage during your adventure.

[Tiger Beer]

The bus system is really good in Oahu...it took me everywhere I wanted to go.

Why not just use that to the trailhead? Or is the trailhead that far off the bus routes?

[SkyBob]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

The bus system is really good in Oahu...it took me everywhere I wanted to go.

Why not just use that to the trailhead? Or is the trailhead that far off the bus routes?

The Waipio Valley isn't on Oahu, is it? I know there's a Waipio Valley on the Big Island, I've been there, but I also know there is much duplication of names in the various islands.

Bob

[nwcountrygal]

Wrong Island Tiger but nice effort!