Waimea, HI: North Shore

Waimea, HI: North Shore

Explore the tropical waterfalls and lush vegetation of the wet side of the Big Island on this Hawaii coast ride.

Author:	wpr4u2
Date:	10 Dec 2007 6:48:20 AM
Activity:	Other ActivitySearchOther
State:	Hawaii (HI)
Distance:	127.6 mi (Change units)
Calories:	7260
Average Speed:	12.5 mph 0:04:49/mi
Duration:	Total: 10:35:51 Active: 10:14:43 Resting: 0:21:08
Elevation:	Total Gain: 14252 ft Total Loss: 14277 ft Net Change: -25 ft
Difficulty:	5 / 10
Tags:	North Shore, Hawaii, century rides, Hakalau, Waimea
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Cool mornings are commonplace at the start in Waimea (elevation: 2500 ft), so arm warmers and a windbreakers are handy on this ride. Leaving town, you’ll roll through cattle country and then take the Mamalahoa Highway turnoff for a lightly traveled backroad with some rough pavement. Continue along the rolling hills and sugar cane country of the Hamakua coast on the way down to Hilo, and take or leave the side trips to Kalopa Native Forest Park (6.4 miles), Akaka Falls (8 miles) and Laupahoehoe Point (2.5 miles) if you want to shorten the route. Better yet, arrange for a ride out to Hilo and check out the sites on the tailwind ride back to Waimea.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Dist: 127.60 mi	Points: 2459	Calories: 7260
Time: 10:35:51	Speed: 12.5 mph	Pace: 4:49 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Straight	Head east on Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd./Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 4.90 mi
4.90 mi	Turn Right	Old Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 8.40 mi
13.30 mi	Straight	Old Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 1.73 mi
15.03 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd./Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 3.54 mi
18.57 mi	Turn Right	Kalopa Rd.	Then go 0.76 mi
19.33 mi	Turn Left	Kalannai Rd.	Then go 0.50 mi
19.83 mi	Turn Right	Kalanai Rd. heading towards Kalopa Native Forest Park	Then go 1.92 mi
21.74 mi	U-Turn	Back to Kalopa Rd. (Optional 1-mile loop in the park).	Then go 1.91 mi
23.66 mi	Turn Left	Kalanai Rd.	Then go 0.50 mi
24.15 mi	Turn Right	Kalopa Rd.	Then go 0.76 mi
24.91 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd.	Then go 25.44 mi
50.36 mi	Turn Right	Old Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 0.97 mi
51.33 mi	Turn Right	Akaka Falls Rd.	Then go 0.39 mi
51.73 mi	Straight	Continue on Hwy 220	Then go 2.18 mi
53.91 mi	Bear Right	Hwy 220	Then go 0.62 mi
54.54 mi	U-Turn	Hwy 220	Then go 3.23 mi
57.76 mi	Turn Left	Old Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 0.16 mi
57.93 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 220/Honomu Rd.	Then go 0.40 mi
58.32 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd./Mamalahoa Hwy	Then go 10.85 mi
69.17 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 200/Waianuenue Ave.	Then go 0.20 mi
69.37 mi	Turn Left	Kinoole St.	Then go 0.15 mi
69.52 mi	Turn Left	Haili St.	Then go 0.16 mi
69.68 mi	Turn Left	Kamehameha Ave.	Then go 0.17 mi
69.85 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 200./Waianuenue Ave.	Then go 0.02 mi
69.87 mi	Turn Left	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd.	Then go 4.69 mi
74.56 mi	Turn Right	Old Mamalahoa Hwy/Onomea Scenic Bypass	Then go 3.17 mi
77.73 mi	Straight	Mamalahoa Hwy/Onomea Scenic Bypass	Then go 0.27 mi
78.00 mi	Turn Left	Kulaimano Rd.	Then go 0.44 mi
78.44 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19./Hawaii Belt Rd.	Then go 13.81 mi
92.25 mi	Turn Right	Kekoa Camp Rd.	Then go 0.30 mi
92.55 mi	Turn Left	Papaaloa Ave.	Then go 0.06 mi
92.61 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd.	Then go 2.85 mi
95.46 mi	Turn Right	Laupahoehoe Point Rd.	Then go 1.23 mi
96.69 mi	U-Turn	Laupahoehoe Point Rd.	Then go 1.24 mi
97.94 mi	Turn Right	Hwy 19/Hawaii Belt Rd.

Points of Interest

Start/Finish

Location: 20.020613°, -155.667515°
Start this ride at the Food Source parking lot in Waimea.

The Old Mamalahoa Highway is a great alternative to Hwy 19.

Location: 20.041418°, -155.570870°
You'll enjoy 12 mostly downhill miles through ranch land and forests to Honoka'a.

Mauna Kea view from the east

Location: 20.053029°, -155.509071°

On this side of the island you can see the observatories on top of Mauna Kea.

Location: 20.064639°, -155.478172°

Road to Kalopa Native Forest Park

Location: 20.050126°, -155.428047°
The road to Kalopa Native Forest Park

Kalopa Native Forest

Location: 20.039483°, -155.440064°
This park lies 2,000 feet above the shore and trails that connect to the adjoining forest reserve.

Short construction delays on Hwy 19 are commonplace.

Location: 20.026903°, -155.341187°

On the other side of the island, stark lava fields contrast with the constant mowing needed to keep the vegetation at bay here.

Location: 20.011581°, -155.289002°

On the down to Laupahoehoe Point

Location: 19.994644°, -155.245743°

Laupahoehoe Point

Location: 19.991095°, -155.239563°
The sea is too rough to swim here, but Laupahoehoe Point is a great place for a picnic. The settlement here was wiped out in the 1946 tsunami.

You will travel through three gulches on the way to Hilo.

Location: 19.951083°, -155.199051°
You'll pick up speed going into each gulch, turn at the bottom, then climb out slowly into the prevailing winds.

This ride crosses many narrow bridges over small, verdant ravines.

Location: 19.919534°, -155.147982°
Each bridge is a little different--some have enough room to ride beside the right lane marker, and some force you to ride in the traffic lane. Check behind you for traffic before entering each bridge.

Another picturesque view from a narrow bridge

Location: 19.906219°, -155.133305°

The town of Honamu--on the road to Akaka Falls--is a great place to take a break.

Location: 19.881038°, -155.119572°

It's a pleasant climb on the road to Akaka Falls.

Location: 19.860050°, -155.126267°

Akaka Falls

Location: 19.852623°, -155.153046°

Akaka Falls are a short walk along a well marked trail.

Location: 19.852623°, -155.153046°

The Onomea Scenic Bypass Road is littered with fallen fruit and palm fronds.

Location: 19.831632°, -155.099831°
You'll see what appear to be regular house plants on steroids: huge philodendrons, rubber trees, jade, mother-in-law tongue, and a wide array of fragrant blooms (wild ginger and gardenia) and tropical fruit trees (mango, papaya, and banana).

Stop for a What's Shakin' smoothie along Onomea Scenic Bypass Road.

Location: 19.826788°, -155.096741°
There are lots of food and water options along the way -- no more than 20 miles between stores. As usual, carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and electrolyte replacement.