For
a sense of how Hawaii used to be and an adventure not easily
forgotten, you must experience Waipi'o Valley, an enchanting
place that means "land of curving water". From
the valley lookout the land drops sharply for nearly a thousand
feet. Below is an emerald landscape as fresh and verdant
as Eden. A brooding sense of Waipi'o's rich historic past
emanates from the valley, which is still except for the
pounding of steep waves on the black sand beach and the
timeless motion of farmers tending their taro patches.
In
ancient times taro cultivation and fishing were the traditional
lifestyle of the people who settled here and prospered into
a complex and powerful kingdom. Waipi'o is known as the
Valley of the Kings because so many important rulers came
into power here. Many fierce battles were fought and the
rivers ran red with blood. Waipi'o contained five major
heiaus or temples of the highest class including Pakalana,
or place of refuge build in the 12th century. The spirits
of the past are still felt here today. Powerful are the
forces of nature in Waipi'o. Waipi'o is an alluvial flood
plain carved by water erosion and washed clean by the fury
of huge tidal waves. Some of the most spectacular waterfalls
in Hawaii grace its cliffs, like the 2,000 ft double falls
Hi'ilawe, and Nanewe, home to the notorious "shark
man" of Waipi'o.
Today
about fifty residents populate the valley. It is dotted
with taro patches and lotus ponds, and the surrounding jungle
is a tangle of exotic fruit trees, ferns, and medicinal
plants. Bananas, oranges, mountain apples, guavas and mangoes
drop their fragrant bounty along the valley trails. Kukui
nut groves, hala and ti adorn the cliff walls and white
and yellow ginger bloom throughout the valley floor. Chinese
rice farmers settled here in the 1800's and introduced mules
and horses as work animals to pack rice and taro up the
steep gravel road out the the valley to market. This type
of horse was brought over from Mexico in 1803 and was of
Spanish Barb stock. Today, bands of rugged Waipi'o Hawaiian
horses run wild here. The Hawaiian horse is a tough, sure-footed
creature that is part of Waipio's past and an ideal way
to get around its difficult terrain today.
Sherri
Hannum, a long time resident of Waipi'o, began Na'alapa
Stables nearly twenty years ago, an outgrowth of her fascination
of Waipi'o's history and beauty and her love of horses.
Na'alapa is the name of a sheer waterfall on the far side
of the valley. Today Waipi'o's Na'alapa Stable is a favorite
Island activity for those who want to get off the beaten
track.
Riders
meet at the Waipi'o Valley Artworks in Kukuihaele village
and are driven to the stable via four-wheel drive van. Our
horses are all from local Waipi'o stock and our experienced
guides, including Sherri's daughter Maile, are well versed
in Waipi'o's legends and lore. The stable provides morning
and afternoon rides daily except Sundays. Please join us
for a unique Hawaiian adventure.
For
a sense of how Hawaii used to be and an adventure not easily
forgotten, you must experience Waipi'o Valley, an enchanting
place that means "land of curving water". From
the valley lookout the land drops sharply for nearly a thousand
feet. Below is an emerald landscape as fresh and verdant
as Eden. A brooding sense of Waipi'o's rich historic past
emanates from the valley, which is still except for the
pounding of steep waves on the black sand beach and the
timeless motion of farmers tending their taro patches.
Today
about fifty residents populate the valley. It is dotted
with taro patches and lotus ponds, and the surrounding jungle
is a tangle of exotic fruit trees, ferns, and medicinal
plants. Bananas, oranges, mountain apples, guavas and mangoes
drop their fragrant bounty along the valley trails. Kukui
nut groves, hala and ti adorn the cliff walls and white
and yellow ginger bloom throughout the valley floor. Chinese
rice farmers settled here in the 1800's and introduced mules
and horses as work animals to pack rice and taro up the
steep gravel road out the the valley to market. This type
of horse was brought over from Mexico in 1803 and was of
Spanish Barb stock. Today, bands of rugged Waipi'o Hawaiian
horses run wild here. The Hawaiian horse is a tough, sure-footed
creature that is part of Waipio's past and an ideal way
to get around its difficult terrain today.
Sherri
Hannum, a long time resident of Waipi'o, began Na'alapa
Stables nearly twenty years ago, an outgrowth of her fascination
of Waipi'o's history and beauty and her love of horses.
Na'alapa is the name of a sheer waterfall on the far side
of the valley. Today Waipi'o's Na'alapa Stable is a favorite
Island activity for those who want to get off the beaten
track.