Waipio_Valley Waipio Valley is a valley located in the Hamakua District of the Big Island of Hawaii. "Waipio" means "curved water" in the Hawaiian language. It was the capital and permanent residence of many early Hawaiian kings up until the time of King Umi. A place celebrated for its red pepper tree known as the "Nioi wela o Paakalana" (The burning Nioi of Paakalana).