One of the most beautiful drives in the north shore is along Hanalei where you pass through a few one-way bridges. Taro is a tropical Asian plant healthily cultivated in Hawaii and it is where poi comes from, which is taro that is boiled, mashed, and eaten like potatoes. There's plenty of vegetation surrounding Hanalei but the giant taro leaves are what you see first.
Stop the car when you see the sign for Hanalei Lookout because what you will see is a postcard waiting to happen.
Hanalei Lookout
Highway 560
Once inside the Princeville Resort, Queen's Bath is a necessary stop. Inside Princeville, you take a right on Ka Haku Road, another right on Punahele and right again on Kapiolani. As soon as Queen's Bath became popular, the government provided a small parking lot before the entrance to the trail. It gets so crowded you might have to spend a few minutes in the hopes that someone will drive out and free a space for you.
There is a dirt trail along the stream right next to the parking lot. When you reach the end, you will be rewarded with a view of the ocean and beautiful lava shelf formations. If the surf is not pounding, it is easy to walk on the rocks; otherwise, you have to watch your step to keep from slipping. Several pools have been formed from the lava shelf.
If you're just there to check the scene out like us because there were too many people, check out the tortoise trying to feed from the moss against the rocks below. They swim and tumble with the strong current.
Queen's Bath
inside the Princeville Resort
Ka Haku Road
Princeville, HI |
