kipahele tour series

book your EXCLUSIVE pass to the unseen world of waimea valley

The Waimea Valley Kipahele Tour Series features an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the history and wonders of this culturally significant ahupua‘a (land division). The series features two huakaʻi (tours), botanical and cultural, which include a 75-minute guided tour on an eco-friendly electric shuttle with limited seating for the ultimate intimate experience. Explore the historic sites of the valley through a cultural lens conducted by a cultural specialist or navigate through the 150 acres of 50-year-old botanical gardens with a horticultural specialist guide.

cultural tour

Learn about Waimea Valley’s prominent archeological sites through a Hawaiian cultural lens and historical perspective. Let the intrinsic nature and character of this sacred and culturally sensitive site become a keepsake experience. The tour picks up at the Visitor Center and ends at the waterfall turnaround.

Wednesday and Saturday, 1 pm

Botanical tour

Spend some time with our horticultural specialists as they guide you through the 150-acre botanical gardens showing you Waimea Valley’s most extraordinary plants and collections. The tour picks up at the Visitor Center ends at the waterfall turnaround.

Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 am

faq

  • Each guided tour is 75 minutes long once you board the electric shuttle with your tour guide.

  • Both tours, botanical and cultural, end at the waterfall turnaround. You have the option to ride back down with the tour guide on the shuttle or explore the waterfall. Your wristband is your ticket for a ride back on the regular shuttle. Please show your wristband to the driver. Seat availability is first come first serve. Please wait in the shuttle stop seating area. The normal shuttle has not stops. The drop area is located at Hale Hoʻike near the ticket booth.

  • We ask that you arrive 15 minutes before your tour start time. The tour schedules are:

    Cultural

    12:45 pm Check in at the Visitor Center front desk

    1:00 pm Cultural Tour begins

    2:15 pm Arrival at the waterfall turnaround

    (option to ride back with the tour guide driver or use the tour wristband to take a later shuttle )

    Botanical

    9:45 am Check in at the Visitor Center front desk

    10:00 am Botanical Tour begins

    11:15 am Arrival at the waterfall turnaround

    (option to ride back with the tour guide driver or use the tour wristband to take a later shuttle )

  • The botanical tour check in time is 9:45 am. The cultural tour check in time is 12:45 pm.

  • Once you arrive please check in with your entire group on the reservation at the Visitor Center front desk.

  • We will have your reservation information at the check-in location but it doesn’t hurt to have it on your phone or a print out.

  • No - this tour is inside Waimea Valley only. You will drive to Waimea Valley on your own, use the regular visitor parking in the valley and proceed to the Visitor Center for check-in.

  • You can park at any of Waimea Valley’s parking lots. Parking for Waimea Valley guests is free.

  • Yes, your tour reservation includes admission into the Valley.

  • There will a few stops on the tour to get a close up look at sites and plants. You are welcome to join us or stay on the shuttle.

  • We kindly ask that you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. You can email info@waimeavalley.net or call 808-638-7766 to cancel. Please make sure to have the name on the reservation available on time of cancelation.

  • You can check in at the Visitor Center front desk staff member. They will be able to coordinate for you and your group with a tour reservation to meet the rest of the group.

  • The Valley opens to the public at 9 am. A staff member will be available to check you in at the Visitor Center front desk starting at 9 am. You are welcome to enter the Valley through the ticket booth entrance once you are checked in. We ask that you please arrive at the tour shuttle pick-up area 15 minutes before your tour starts.

    Hale Kope Coffee located in the Visitor Center area is open at 8 am where you can enjoy caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks and fresh baked goods. The Wahi ʻĀina Grill serving hot and cold dishes opens at 10 am.