Waipi'o Black Sand Beach Waipio Valley Road, Honokaa, HI 96727

"You need 4 wheel drive with a low gear to drive down to the beach. The grade is so steep you need to gear down to save your brakes. You can also hitch a ride or walk. Absolutely heaven on earth. This is the most majestic beach that extends maybe a milenor so. There is also wild horses at the bottom. If you cross the river the beach is all to to yourself."

"Worth the hike down as a tourist if you can't hitch a ride. It is very steep. And slippery in spots. Would want hike/drive down in the rain. The beach is amazing. Especially if you cross the river to the main beach. Black sand. Careful for the tide. Knee deep crossing can turn into a treacherous swim in a few short hours of beach relaxing."

"Beautiful beach. If you keep going north/west on the beach you will find a hiking trail that goes for about 30 miles (supposedly.) Minus the potential for wild pig encounters, I would happily run part or all of the trail. I got a 4x4 Jeep while on the big island, without one, the way down would have been awful. It's still possible without a 4x4, but not great. As much as I like hiking, this road is not what I have in mind. Either way, there were no signs when I went so I wasted about a half hour round trip going the wrong way. Make sure you take the first right possible at the bottom of the hill, otherwise you end up driving into areas where people probably marry their own cousins and eat road kill. You may be forced to marry your cousin, too, and eat possum pie at the reception."

"We drove our jeep down to this beach from the lookout. The road down is steep and narrow. You need to watch for uphill traffic and stop in the pullouts to wait for it to come up. Coming back up you need to use 4wd low. When you get to the bottom of the road, turn right to go to the beach. The beach on the road side of the rivers is big cobbles. To get to the black sand beach you have to cross the river. I saw people wading across the river to get to the beach."

"Plan on a 1/2 day for this experience. Due to steep grade you need to either hike down or have a proper vehicle with 4 wheel drive, like a Jeep. Wear good shoes and bring water. Hike down is on a narrow paved road with a 25 percent grade. It will do numbers on your calves...at the bottom you can go 2 directions. Road to the left has a nice waterfall, you cannot get super close but it's a nice walk, just stay on the road and don't go on locals property. If you go to the right at the bottom of the descent, that path will take you to the beach. Water was ok temp but it's very wavy, saw a surfer or two. Nice area to have a picnic lunch. We did about 4 1/4 miles that day, we did both paths left and right. Mileage was=1 mile down, 1 1/4 mile path to the left to the waterfall, 3/4 mile path to the beach, 1 mile back up. The paths at the bottom are pretty flat, thank goodness. The beach path can get really muddy. If you see mud, look to the right, in the woods, there is a small path people walk through that will drop you at the beach. Take breaks as needed going back up that mega hill. Your body will thank you! Just stay to the side to allow vehicles to pass."