HRS §291C-138
Waipio Valley Access: Four-Wheel Drive Required
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗This law says that, except for a few special situations, only low-range four-wheel drive vehicles may drive on the road between the Waipio Valley lookout and the valley floor. All-wheel drive does not count. Breaking this rule costs a $250 fine.
everyone
The statute, as written — Waipio valley access; required four-wheel drive vehicle use
A copy, taken August 20, 2026. The version published by the Legislature is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
(a) No vehicle, other than a low-range, four-wheel drive vehicle, shall at any time be driven through or in the connecting roadway corridor between the Waipio valley lookout and the floor of Waipio valley; provided that any vehicle may be driven in these areas if it is: (1) In the process of executing a legal turn, lane change, or parking maneuver to exit the area; (2) An authorized emergency vehicle performing the functions under section 291C-26; (3) An official federal, state, or county vehicle in the performance of its actual duty; (4) Necessary to assist a stalled or broken vehicle; (5) Necessary to yield to an authorized emergency vehicle pursuant to section 291C-65; (6) A vehicle engaged in or in support of research or maintenance activities; or (7) Otherwise provided by law. (b) Violation of this section shall subject the driver of the vehicle to a fine of $250. (c) For purposes of this section, an all-wheel drive vehicle shall not be considered to be a low-range, four-wheel drive vehicle.
Sections this one refers to
§291C-26 When emergency vehicles can ignore traffic rules
§291C-65 What to do when an emergency vehicle approaches
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.