deeman

Question on Haleakala. I'm not very good on windy roads and hence we probably wont be able to do the road to Hana. How bad is the drive up to the crater?

We're going at the end of this month for 3 days 4 nights and staying at the ritz in kapalua. Any other suggestions? Might do a helicopter tour as most people on this board seem to have enjoyed it. The remaining time we just plan on relaxing and spending time on the beach, driving a bit, eating good food, etc.

regalada

Hi: The road up to Haleakala is nowhere near as winding as the road to Hana. Allow a couple of hours since the going is slow. Also, going early in the morning gives you the best chance to see the crater since the clouds come in in the afternoon. Don't forget to bring a jacket since it's pretty chilly up there.

deeman

chilly even at the end of september?

JohnD

At the website below are maps for Haleakala and Maui:
http://www.nps.gov/hale/pphtml/maps.html

Compare route 378 (to Haleakala) on the link below to route 360 (to Hana) for an overview.
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/hale/...HALEmap2%2Epdf

For a closeup of the Haleakala ascent, see map at link below:
http://data2.itc.nps.gov/parks/hale/...HALEmap1%2Epdf



Link to weather atop Haleakala, which can be below freezing any time of year:
http://www.nps.gov/hale/pphtml/weather.html

SimoneSassett

I get horrible motion sickness....so I'm recommending some wristbands I purchased at Rite-Aid for only $6.99. They're elastic and have a little plastic bump that's supposed to be placed on your wrist that will help keep you from getting sick.

I've gotten sick from kayaking in Maui and thrown up all over the water (much to the horror of my fellow kayakers who were in the water snorkeling by then!) Next, I threw up in a London cab after a plane flight from LAX to Heathrow. Thankfully, I always carry an airsick bag with me, and that helped....

So, after those two bouts of embarrassing motion sickness moments in 2001, I finally did something about it and bought these bands and it has worked since! I've flown from LAX to the South Pacific and even on a small peddle-pusher airplane and have not gotten sick again....

I would be concerned that a helicopter would be worse for motion sickness than a car ride...

bonniebroad

Deeman, it can be freezing at the sunrise on Haleakala. Many people wear sweatshirts, wrap in their hotel blankets, and still have chattering teeth!

carbogilligan

We drove up to Haleakala in August. Left Kaanapali at 9 a.m., got there around 11:30. It was cool and I wished I had brought a jacket. The view was spectacular but the clouds rolled in by 12:15. The drive up was a little harrowing. No one got sick but the turns and steep elevation do challenge one's nerves. The drive back down was a lot easier. We stopped at Kula Lodge for lunch. There is a unique view of Maui from the gardens of the lodge.

travelinandgolfin

How do those wrist bands work? Sounds interesting, especially if they don't make you drousy.

tpatricco

The reason it's cold at the summit of Haleakala is because it's over 10,000 feet in elevation! Wear layers and you should be fine.

midwestgal

We did the drive up Haleakala in the early morning (but after sunrise). There were so many folks on bikes that you had to go super slow, so I think you'll be okay. It was chilly at the top so I'd suggest bringing a sweatshirt as well. I don't know how the wristbands work for motion sickness, but they are supposed to be good for nausea in general but they did NOTHING for me when I was pregnant and had morning sickness.

I was fine on the road to Hana and I get moderate motion sickness at times. I don't know if you've ever flown in a smaller craft before, but I avoided the helicopters (which I at times regret) as I've gotten sick on very small (4 seater) planes before. Don't know if helicopter would be better or worse.

SimoneSassett

I think they work on the premise of accupuncture. I'm sure people will say it's psychosomatic, but if it works for me, I'll keep doing it. My girlfriend bought some battery-operated ones on a cruise ship, and it pulsed along her wrist and that kept the seasickness away. I think Sharper Image has a wristband that's $100 or something... but the Rite-Aid ones were just fine for me. I found them on drugstore.com just now by doing a Yahoo search.

I never heard them working for morning sickness, though. Considering MS is probably more hormonal, I don't think the bands would work for that....

Have fun!

OldSouthernBelle

Bonniebroad, How about trying "hot hands" (single-use hand warmers good for ~ 8 Hrs.!). Also, those new back and shoulder warmers (along the same idea as the hand warmers) are great for people who get cold easily! Look for the former in the sporting goods section of your "super stores" and the back warmers, called "Therma-Care" in the pharmacy area. OSB.

bonniebroad

Good suggestion, OSB. I did pretty well with a sweatshirt, but envied those who had also brought their blankets! Would have killed for a big cup of hot chocolate....... Was so surprised to find it that cold in Paradise!