| This gorgeous, privately-owned valley is hidden from the public eye yet is famous the world over. While its name is rarely heard, the valley has appeared in countless movies and television shows. |
|
Description: Kaaawa Valley is a broad, pastured basin nestled between the Moo Kapu o Haloa Cliffs (which, on the opposite side, stands above Kualoa) to the southeast and the Makaua Ridge to the northwest. A dirt road runs through the center and provides excellent, unhindered viewing opportunities of the spires and peaks shadowing the valley and the icons familiar in many movies and television shows. What to Expect: Kaaawa Valley is not a typical Oahu valley in terms of natural evolution. While it is a gorgeous locale, the rolling hills are carpeted by grass and occasional stands of trees, the majority of which are non-native. Since it is a working cattle ranch, there are adequate dirt paths and roads through the pasture lands. Expect to see ranch workers tending to the roaming cattle herds. The main dirt road (Kaaawa Valley Road) is approximately 2.8-miles-long from the ranch visitor center. After wrapping around the corner of the Valley's southeast wall, the dirt road extends nearly 7/8ths of the way into Kaaawa Valley. Kaaawa valley is flanked by the most formidable peaks on Oahu: Puu Kanehoalani on the southeast wall, Puu Manamana on the northwest wall, and Puu Ohulehule at the head of the valley. The first two are extremely narrow and all approaches require rock-climbing, death-defying feats. The third peak entered the limelight when two Danish tourists stranded themselves atop of it when, too scared to attempt the descent, they elected to remain for six days. Trailhead Location: The hike begins on the mauka (uphill) end of a grassy field along the partially-paved utility road behind the Kualoa Ranch visitor center (adjacent to the petting zoo). The initial stretch is an asphalt road. Accessing the Trail: The entire property around (and including) the cliffs above Kualoa, Ohulehule northeast saddle, all of Kaaawa Valley, and the Puu Manamana ridges above Swanzy Beach is wholly owned by Kualoa Ranch, Inc. Access to this area is solely by permission only. Kualoa Ranch offers public tours of their property in the form of trolly/bus, ATV, and horseback rides. Contact the Kualoa Ranch & Activity Club for prices and availability at 49-560 Kamehameha Highway; Kaaawa, Hawaii 96730 or (808) 237-8515. Property/Access: Privately-owned and controlled (Kualoa Ranch, Inc.). No unescorted, public access: all entry must be arranged through Kualoa Ranch. Verified with City & County of Honolulu public
records March 28, 2004. For detailed property/access info, click More Info. Dangers/Other Considerations: As with all hiking, exercise caution and prudent judgement. |
 Kaaawa Valley (view from mouth) |
|---|---|
 Hideout from Dinosaurs (appeared in "Jurassic Park") |
|
 Puu Ohulehule (northeast side, elev. 2,265-ft) |
|
 Moo Kapu o Haloa Cliffs (southeast wall of valley) |
|
 Kaaawa Valley (mid-valley view) |
|
| |||||||||||||