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Need opinion! Driving from Kaanapali to Hana and back through the south...take 2 days?

Need opinion! Driving from Kaanapali to Hana and back through the south...take 2 days?

Old Mar 18th, 2005, 11:27 AM
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Need opinion! Driving from Kaanapali to Hana and back through the south...take 2 days?

We are staying at Maui Kai near Kaanapali Beach. I'm wondering if its best to drive to Hana, stay in Hana for the night, and then drive back to Maui Kai along the southside the following day. Is it too much to do all in one day? We don't tire easily. Just wondering if it is worth paying for 2 hotels 1 evening (we would leave our luggage at Maui Kai). Thanks!
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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 11:36 AM
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My vote would be not to stay in Hana but to drive back the same day. I didn't find that much to do in Hana to justify changing hotels for one night.
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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 11:36 AM
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I have only done it in one day but you have some lovely country on the hana side. It all depends on how much you want to explore.
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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 12:24 PM
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We would not be switching hotels. We would leave our stuff in Kaanapali and just take an overnight bag to Hana. I was thinking of booking at the Hana Plantation/Accomodations. Any thoughts? We would like to enjoy the ride and get the most out of the island. At the same time, I don't want to waste a day if the whole drive can be done in 12 hours, without rushing!
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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 12:54 PM
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Jenna you would not be wasting a day Hana side some of the most beautiful parts of the island are over there.

Go to digitalkauai.com and see what is over there. I would not stay over if I did not have definate trails or beaches in my head to visit.

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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 03:10 PM
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Thank you to all who have responded!
The only reason we thought of staying over was so that the day wasn't so hectic. We could enjoy the drive from Kaanapali to Hana, rest that night and then take a nice ride from Hana southbound and back to Kaanapali. Not really planning on touring the town of Hana beyond the "Road to Hana" spots. Hmmmmm I'm still unsure of what to do! I guess either would work out. If anyone else has an opinion, I'm open to hearing it!
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Old Mar 18th, 2005, 04:29 PM
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We drove from Ka'anapali area to Hana and back in one day. We left early in the morning and bought a tourist tape pointing out all the sites of interest. We took a picnic lunch, stopped along the way to see botanical gardens, hiked along the cliffs at a state park, swam at two beaches, went out to O'heo Gulch, visited Lindbergh's grave, and drove back. Did not feel rushed at all.
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Old Mar 19th, 2005, 07:22 AM
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did the whole drive in one day, very doable.
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Old Mar 19th, 2005, 12:30 PM
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stay, stay, stay!!!!!!!!!

Many who don't get Hana have never truly seen Hana. Many say it is not Hana, but the drive to Hana. I say hogwash! I blow thru the drive to savour Hana's true hawaiin beauty.

stay!!!
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Old Mar 19th, 2005, 03:31 PM
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Dear JennaJ, You can do the Hana trip in one day at a lovely, leisurely pace, if you depart in the morning (by nine or ten). Be sure to savor the Kona coffee, yum. My husband and I were able to do the trip, including visiting all the botanic gardens on the island (I'm a botanist, so we looked at 'everything'-- and there were four or five gardens?), in just a day. Our excursion included stopping in a small town just before the Hana road, to purchase a delicatessen sack lunch (that we planned to enjoy on the beach in Hana, but ended up feeding to a large colony of stray cats -- they were starving -- that lived around a picnic area adjacent to an arc of waterfalls, halfway to Hana). When we reached Hana, there was a snack bar where we bought ice cream cones (it offered other foods as well) and stolled along the beach taking-in the peace, sunshine and mild breezes. It was still sunny (in February), so we drove to the dry side of the island (wherever that was), to see what kind of cactus grew on Maui and spent time watching surfers from a beautiful cliff area. Eventually, as evening began to fall, we stoppped at a restaurant for a delicious sea food dinner. And, still not being at all tired, we drove up to the top of Mt. Haleakala (so that I could see the endemic silver sword plants). At the peak we wandered around, delighted in seeing the glow of nearby astronomical observatories, did some night time photography, sat on rather large rocks and gazed into Mt. Haleakala's dormant crater. My husband set-up his camera to take a picture of us sitting in front of the crater, under the full moon, and surprize !!! he asked me to marry him (in the photograph, my face is just a blur, from turning my head back and forth, to look at him and the camera). He hadn't planned it, but it was the perfect moment. Obviously, I said yes. So . . . you definately have enough time to do the Hana trip in a single day. On the other hand, the Hana side seemed to exist at a quieter, slower pace, and I imagine is more reminiscent of "old Hawaii." If you really want to disconnect and unwind from an urban pace, I think that a very kicked-back day in Hana would be a great way to do it.
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Old Mar 19th, 2005, 03:52 PM
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Not only have I done this entire drive in a day, but I started with sunrise at the Crater - we must have left the hotel @ Kaanapali @ 4am - saw the sunrise, had breakfast & then drive down the way you go to start the drive to Hana (by the hangliders - can't recall town name!) ... we drove the entire road to Hana - and reuturned around the other side of the island (it's like being on the moon) back to Lahaina for dinner by about 8pm.

It was an incredibly long day. But, if you skip the sunrise at the crater which requires leaving incredibly early, it is definately do-able! Good luck!
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Old Mar 19th, 2005, 08:15 PM
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Aloha Jenna,

Yes, obviously you can do Hana in one day... but to take your time... be leisurely... explore... having an overnight accomadation makes that all very wonderful.

We did exactly what you are thinking... booked an oceanfront cottage on Hana Bay... packed an overnighter and left our luggage in our room in Kaanapali. It was perfect!

We stopped at an orchid greenhouse... checked out numerous off the beaten path spots... and I loved every minute of it.

The next morning we were up early and had no traffic to contend with. We also drove around and loved that drive. We stopped at so many places, and got some breathtaking photos. We also hit the winery in the upcountry on the way back to Kaanapali. Fun time.

You certainly won't be wasting a day... the island is gorgeous over there... next time I head to Maui, we'll be staying in Hana much longer than just one night!

Happy travels... aloha.
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Old Mar 21st, 2005, 08:24 AM
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Thank you everyone for the terrific advice!
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Old Mar 27th, 2005, 07:06 AM
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Jenna,

Originally, I was going to Maui alone and was planning to take a tour from Lahaina to Hana so that I can enjoy the drive. I'm now likely going to drive as someone is joining me on my trip next month.

Based on advice from this board, I plan to drive to Hana and then beyond (weather permitting). Have decided not to stay overnight. Will get an early start, have breakfast at Charleys in Paia, grab a box lunch, and just enjoy the day. I'm not into hiking or anything, so don't think it will be too bad of a drive for me.

Can't wait for you to post your trip report and let us know what you decided.

Have fun.
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Old Apr 30th, 2005, 09:49 PM
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..a humble vote on the side of slower paced agenda.. My husband and i stayed in maui (at the Sheraton..that place is awesome) and then stayed 2 nights in hana. We drove on the coastal west maui pali road(towards kapalua and so forth). I know it sounds kooky, but the mana (place energy) in this part of the island was amazing. almost palatable.The views from this cliffside road are incredible. We took our time getting to paia where we stopped for lunch. By the time we got to Hana is was early evening and checked in at hale malamalama (It's said that Tom Robbins gives the place a thumbs up, too!) and then had a lovely meal at the hana-maui hotel restaurant. Spent the whole next day exploring the area starting with the awesome, if somewhat prdictable ohe'o pools hike up to the falls. The bamboo forest there was breathtaking and it sounded great, too! There are mosquitos..wear repellent here. There is no proper grocery store there (although there is a fascinating general store which does have some provisions). So you might consider bringing food for dinner that 2nd night or eat at the hotel (which is quite good, though not inexpensive) if you were to stay 2 nights.
Affording a little time to explore the area and having a place nearby to sleep was really super nice. I noticed stuff about the area around there that i wouldn't have had i kept a faster pace. ahh.. the sound of the surf upon the different kind of pebbles there. so cool.
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Old May 1st, 2005, 07:22 AM
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I could not agree with hmmmm more! Screw the drive. Even though there are some very worthwhile destinations along the way, Hana is indeed THE destination.
I've stayed in Hana for a few nights and for a week. The early mornings were my favorite time for exploring and hiking. It was peaceful and gorgeous.

State of mind is extremely important when planning a visit to this part of Maui. If you know you are spending the night, you trip over there will be so much more rewarding because you won't be thinking about the drive back later that day. It makes a huge difference! The next day you can explore the area in quiet and solitude before the hoardes arrive on their forced march through this paradise.
Have a great time!
-Bill
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Old Jan 7th, 2010, 07:36 AM
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Appreciate everyone's responses, I have a similar concern in driving this in one day. I've seen several responses saying it is very doable in one day but can anyone share how long it actually takes to leisurely drive from Kaanapali to Hana? I'm hearing 4 hours each way. Is that reasonable or completely off base?
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Old Jan 7th, 2010, 08:51 AM
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Leave very early in the a.m. (avoid a lot of traffic, don't feel rushed); stop at the state park, maybe swim in the lava tube. Go to/through Hana, maybe stop for body surfing, then visit the gulch. You can then take a leisurely drive around the dry side, with stops, and be back early p.m. (I'd save the volcano for another visit, though.)
If you get an early start, it can be a rewarding day, with awesome sights and activities, and lots of fun.
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Old Jan 7th, 2010, 10:15 AM
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tylerfr - I'd say 4 hours or a little more each way is reasonable. We usually stay in the Lahaina or Ka'anapali area - leave about 7:30-8am. We make a lot of stops along the way & get back around 8-9pm, so part of the drive back is done in the dark, but no problems. My advice is to make sure you fill up the car with gas the night before - you really don't want to run out of gas on this trip! Also take a lunch along, as there are many beautiful spots to sit down & relax while eating & enjoying the view. Take along more beverages & snacks than you think you might want.
Dianne
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Old Jan 7th, 2010, 11:15 AM
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This blog is better than a concierge! This is really good advice, I appreciate it. Originally I had planned to visit Hana and then try to get back in time for a Luau. Based on this blog, it confirms my suspicions that isn't really feasible. So I'll plan on just making a day of it.
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