Waipio Valley Head

Day 4 began with a hike through the Kohala Forest Reserve on a trail leading to the valley head of Waipio Valley.  The hike took us through a bamboo forest, along an irrigation system, and to the ridge of the valley.  At the beginning of the hike, the bamboo forest was not very prevalent.  About 20 minutes into the hike, the bamboo was completely surrounding us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The irrigation system was built to transport water to the sugar cane plantations.  The ditch took 600 workers and 18 months to build.  The ditch is about 22 miles longs and consists of 57 tunnels. 

At the end of the hike, we found ourselves standing on the 3,200 foot contour and staring straight down a 2,000 foot valley wall.  On the other side of the valley was a 1,000 foot water fall, with thick vegetation surrounding the valley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The irrigation ditch is no longer used for agricultural purposes because the sugar cane plantations have moved to other islands.  The ditch is now used to supply water to the low land areas for domestic uses and as a source of  recreational tourism.  The weather for this section of the hike was extremely foggy and in the high 60's for the temperature.  There was scattered showers which made the hike a little wet. 

                

Day 4: Waipio Valley Main Page

Hawaii Field Study Main Page