Kukuihaele: Art and Local History

Kukuihaele is a very small town with a specific cultural landmark: Waipio Valley Artworks. The gallery is housed in a historic plantation-style building and represents more than 150 local artists working in a variety of media. The N. Kaneshiro Store also began operating in the same building in 1920. This address brings together the present-day representation of local artists and a tangible piece of the town’s history.

A Building with Local History

The former N. Kaneshiro Store supplied farmers in Waipiʻo Valley with goods they needed and bought their taro. The farmers were therefore both customers for essential goods and suppliers of a crop. This dual role gives the building’s history a concrete connection to agriculture in the valley.

For getting your bearings, Waipio Valley Artworks is about five minutes from the Waipiʻo Lookout. Parking and restrooms are available at the gallery; the café offers food and drinks to go.

Koaʻekea and the Valley’s Cultural History

Koaʻekea is an area at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout, above the descent into the valley. Koaʻekea is an ʻili—a small land division—with a deep-rooted cultural history; it offers a view of the Waipiʻo Valley below. Pōhāhā I Ka Lani offers groups, classes, and workshops in Koaʻekea focused on caring for the land and cultural education.

The two cultural landmarks differ in location and focus: Waipio Valley Artworks is in Kukuihaele and represents local art and the history of the commercial building; Koaʻekea is at the lookout and connects the significance of an ʻili with views of the valley and educational programs. This makes it possible to understand local history and cultural connections to the landscape as distinct aspects of the trip.

The Lookout and Hāmākua Heritage Corridor

The coastal Waipiʻo Valley Lookout is at the end of the Hāmākua Heritage Corridor drive. From there, you can look out over the valley. King Kamehameha I grew up in nearby Waipiʻo Valley. The lookout focuses attention on the landscape, while the historical connection adds to the valley’s cultural significance.

Valley Access and the Muliwai Trail

Access to nearby Waipiʻo Valley is via a county road from Honokaʻa-Waipiʻo Road; local restrictions may apply. So check access conditions before your visit. The Muliwai Trail is a separate route: unlike the road access, it is an 18-mile-long, steep, challenging hiking trail across the western cliff of Waipiʻo Valley to Waimanu Valley. Its length and terrain are important factors to consider when planning this hike as part of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Pahoa, Fern Forest, Pepeekeo, Holualoa, Keaau, Hawaiian Beaches, Kalaoa, Kailua Kona

For the broader travel overview: Hawaii.