{stateside} hawaii: day eight - valley of the kings

on saturday morning A and i went out on our own to explore the valley of the kings.  the drive to the waipi'o lookout was scenic, but the views once we got there were jaw-dropping. absolutely stunning. one look and you can tell exactly why the kings of hawaii used to make this sacred land their home.
there's a road that leads from the lookout down into the valley with an average grade of about 25%.  it's only accessible to four-wheel-drive vehicles {and by foot, of course, which is how we did it}.  we hiked down and over to the back of the valley where waterfalls were supposed to be. the falls were dry, so we back-tracked a bit and headed through the jungle and past the taro farms to the shoreline.  we ate lunch on the black sand beach and waded in the water where the waipi'o river meets the ocean.  the hike back up was a monster, but well worth it for sure.
that evening we had one last incredible dinner with our friends.  we drank champagne and ate delicious seafood and relived all of the best moments of the last eight days {last few years actually} while listening to the waves crash on the beach.