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Kohala Mountain Road, North Kohala, Hawaii
Photo: Madereugeneandrew · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Hawaii Hawaiʻi Island

Kohala Mountain Road

HI 250, HI 270, Hawi Road · Waimea → Pololū Valley

Sweeping27 mi1 hr2,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 3,600 ftOne way
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The drive

Kohala Mountain Road, Highway 250, climbs from Waimea over the Kohala Mountain to Hāwī. Locals call it the High Road. Ranch land lies on both sides, and conifers line the road, a sight that can surprise first-time visitors to the Big Island.

At Hāwī the road becomes Hāwī Road, and the drive continues on the Akoni Pule Highway, Highway 270, to its end at the lookout above Pololū Valley. Pololū is the northernmost of the erosional valleys on the east side of Kohala Mountain, with a black sand beach at its mouth. A graded trail leads from the lookout down to the valley floor.

Along the way

  1. Waimea
  2. Kahua Ranch
  3. Hāwī
  4. Pololū Valley
Elevation
2,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 3,600 ft
WaimeaPololū Valley
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
WaimeaPololū Valley
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • The lookout at the end of Highway 270 is the trailhead for the trail into Pololū Valley.
  • Highway 270 ends at the Pololū lookout.
  • Check HDOT's roadwork page for closures on Highways 250 and 270 before you go.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Hawaiʻi DOT Highways: roadwork.

Questions about this drive

How long does Kohala Mountain Road to Pololū Valley take?

Kohala Mountain Road from Waimea to the Pololū Valley lookout is 26.8 miles and takes about 1 hr.

Where does the Kohala Mountain Road drive end?

It ends at the lookout at the end of the Akoni Pule Highway, Highway 270, above Pololū Valley. A graded trail leads from there to the valley floor.

What is Kohala Mountain Road known for?

Highway 250 is known for ranch land and conifers along the High Road between Waimea and Hāwī.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Kohala Mountain Road, from Waimea to Pololū Valley