Waikolu Valley Lookout

Visiting the Weaikolu Valley Lookout is absolutely worth it, but do not trust Google Maps to get you there. Only attempt the drive if you have a 4x4 or AWD vehicle and some off-road driving experience. Otherwise, you’re asking for trouble. I got lost twice trying to follow Google Maps. At one point, it even sent me up a private road. Instead, head toward Homelani Cemetery directly off the main highway. From there, take the dirt road straight up. Ignore any other directions from Google Maps, if you don’t, you’ll likely end up lost or stuck again. Important tips: • Leave early in the morning to avoid afternoon clouds and rain. • Check the mountain weather before you head out. If it’s raining or looks like rain, do not go, the road becomes dangerous and impassable when wet. If you prepare properly, the lookout is unforgettable.

An amazing location. When I think of my time on Molokai, this is the place. It had rained the morning we came to the lookout, the intense aroma of the forest was unlike any scent I have smelled anywhere else. It was beautiful, and yet haunting, the way the mist swirled through the trees and up the valley. I will return to Molokai, just to experience this forest.

Unfortunately, the easy forest road is closed with warning signs and 10 cameras, LOL. Someone feels important. That being said there is a much longer way around with lots of jagged rocks, and ravines. Made it up in a 2wd truck on a dry day. Only got stuck when we finally made it into the forest, but, put the truck in 3rd gear and punched it and it was able to gain grip and after that it was drama free. The outlook is stunning. The current route takes about two hours, so be aware.

Need 4WD to get to the lookout. Nice little picnic area and lookout. It was a misty day on our drive up and bog trail hike. On the way back the clouds parted and we could see the view from the lookout!

First off, the sign says 4wd required. It's a really good idea to follow the rules. With 4wd, you'll make it up easily. It's a rough ride, but not too challenging. I'm used to back road driving, but if you aren't, you may find the narrow rocky roads tough. The lookout is pretty, the fog is constantly there, but earlier in the day will give rent nice views of the valley to the ocean. There are 2 flush toilets (no sinks) and a picnic table in the woods. You can't get here with Google maps! It will send you too a place that is gated with a private property sign. Get yourself to Maunahui-Makakupa'ia Trail Head, and you'll be on the right road. As far as getting up to the bog, we walked the 2.5 miles up from the lookout. We probably could have made it in the Jeep, but the first mile would have been iffy. After that, it's not that bad. Still, we enjoyed the hike.

Moloka'i is not the most well known of the Hawaiian Islands, which is good because there are things like this that you can see/do and have no other tourists around. First and foremost: CHECK THE WEATHER BEFORE YOU GO. Oddly, the best two ways to do this is pay attention to weather in the days leading up to your trek and second, (if you can) around 9am look at the mountain. If it is shrouded in clouds, rain, etc...it may not be the day for you to try out your 4WD/AWD rental for your first forray of semi-off road driving. Do not overestimate your abilities here. Just because you have a SUV at home and live on a gravel driveway does not mean you are experienced. The drive to the lookout definitely requires 4WD/AWD and a decent ground clearance. We took a manual transmission 2003 Honda Element to the lookout and while it made it there were a few questionable moments. I cannot stress this enough, get the proper vehicle before you go...because there are few people up here and if you get stuck you will be there for awhile. Then you may have to hoof it for help because cell phone coverage on Moloka'i is spotty at best. Up here, non-existent. Once you make the turn off at Homelani Cemetary, it is 5.5 miles of bumpy, hard packed red dirt road to the gates of the nature preserve. The road starts out wide enough for two vehicles but eventually winnows down to a single lane. From the turnoff to the gates is about 20-30 minutes, depending on "traffic," weather and how fast you drive. As you drive, the red turns to tanish then dark brown. The fauna changes from dry scrub land brush to rain forest. The road also gets wet more often, causing messy, muddy roads. From the gates, it is another 4ish miles to the lookout or about 15-30 minutes depending on your driving style, confidence and road conditions. Approaching traffic (occasionally you'll see someone) requires an artful dance of vehicles to negotiate who goes past who. Be polite and work with the other driver(s) and you will be fine as there are many pulloffs. No one on this road is in a rush and you should not be either....because that will get you impatient and that leads to you driving off the road, which results in a tumble down a nice, steep cliff or ravine. And these ravines/cliffs are no joke. In total from the turnoff, it took us about 45 minutes to the lookout. You'll average doing 7-10 MPH the entire way up. As for the lookout, it is breathtaking. Even if you do not go past the lookout (and you can with a vehicle or on foot) you will not be disappointed. We went during a recent dry spell and saw no less than four waterfalls. During the wet season, people have reported seeing as many as 11 waterfalls. Also, these are seriously high waterfalls, some may be as high as 3000 feet from top to bottom. According to my watch, we were just over 3800 feet. The cliffs around you are just as high and this is where the waterfalls begin. The falls are just amazing and so is the view of the valley and to the ocean. The mountains and valley are lush and green. The water is a beautiful blue, so much that it is hard to see where the water ends and the sky begins. The reward for the drive up is worth it. Bring a lunch because there are picnic tables and also bathrooms (but no sinks so you may need some wipes). Lastly, the drive down can also be a little difficult as gravity is assisting you. Take your time, use a lower gear, be polite & respectful and enjoy the views of the South Shore on the way down. Going down took us a few minutes less. Be mindful of wildlife both going up and down! As always, tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return...in case something happens to you, at least they'll know where to start looking and cell phone service up there is intermittent at best.

Google does NOT show the proper route to the Waikolu Lookout or Pepe’opae Bog Trail. Use the road going east from Maunahui-Makaupa’ia Trailhead. High ground clearance needed beyond the Homelani Cemetery and 4WD needed for the last 3 miles to the Waikolu Valley Lookout due to very slippery surface. The road is the same between the Lookout and Bog Trail and perfectly 4WD accessible, but doing it as a hike, 7 mile round trip, is nice. Lots of birdsong. Toilets at the Lookout were fine.

The road leading to the lookout is just a bumpy single track road (nothing technical) with pullouts in case someone is coming the other way. But I wouldn't attempt it without a 4x4 or a Mtn bike (not a road bike). It does become slippery when its wet and probably a mess when it rains. For me it was misty to light rain so the roads weren't bad but the Lookout was covered over by clouds. Because it was starting to rain harder and there had been some flooding already from the heavy rains I choose not to go to the Bog, but the road from the Lookout does go further to that trail. This would be a fun Mtn Bike ride if you have the time. How to get there.... It's simple enough by just using Google Map to get to Homelani Cemetery (if it won't show you the way to the Lookout).... from there it is exactly 5.3 miles to the Molokai Forest Reserve Gate and another 4.2 miles to the Waikolu Lookout.