bodhijack

1)if we go all the way to hana (from lahaina) will it be less time returning by the southern route? 2)to minimize traffic, best to go during week, saturday, or sunday? 3)if we decide not to go all the way, is there a certain point we should aim for (to maximize scenery)?

DebitNM

Technically, the southern road back from Hana is not allowed on rental car contracts. That said, lots of folks do go that way. We talked to a couple last month who had just done it and said it was very unnerving to drive as it was dark and no lights, often no cars [which is good in a way --oncoming traffic-- but also meant if something happened-- no help.] and a good stretch of it is not well paved/not paved.

I think the ideal thing is to either leave to go to Hana really early so you can get there and turn around and drive back or stay overnight in Hana and drive back.

Not sure when you are planning on going, but it gets REALLY dark, early in Hawaii. There is no real dusk...it goes from light to dark quickly.

Hope this helps...
Debi

bodhijack

geez debi, you are good (and fast)!!! all your 9/30 work must be done, and it's still 2 months to y/e........ anyway, thank you!!! jack

DebitNM

LOL jack...you in the field too?

Debi

sylvia3

"Technically" the rental car contracts specify no travel on "unimproved" roads. In fact, the route around from Hana is improved constantly, and I have driven it in every type of vehicle over many years with absolutely no problem (lone older female). Leave Lahaina (very) early in the morning, enjoy the stops all the way to (past) Hana, late lunch/swim at the gulch ("7...pools"), then continue around and enjoy the spectacular back side desert, volcano, ocean vistas, then the rain forest as you come back to the main road to Lahaina. I took the same way back from Hana only once, and found the oncoming traffic to be a nightmare as the one-way road was crowded with people still driving to Hana. Go all the way around, you will never regret it! Of course, it's never wise to drive unfamiliar roads at night... but if you calculate the actual mileage (not that much), and allow for slower speeds on the east (back) road (which seems to get better each year), you can enjoy a very full day of incredible sights and be back on the west side in time for sunset cocktails.

bodhijack

good call! cpa(retired). we moved from joisey to so.cal. loving every minute....

bodhijack

thank you, sylvia! good info! if we choose the "all the way" option, i will do as you suggest for return trip. i'm assuming that coming back the southern route will be less time. true? (also, remember, "older" is relative!)

DebitNM

jack-

me = NY -> NM -> CO

mostly retired too

Debi

OldSouthernBelle

Isn't it still closed since the recent earthquake?

DebitNM

jack...this might be worth your reading:

http://www.hawaiianstyletravel.com/f...story.php?t=40

Debi

jd

We just did the road to Hana a few days ago-the southern road is still closed due to a bridge being out from the earthquake.

123Go

Just returned from HI yesterday. Article in the Honolulu Advertiser said the bridge in the Kiahulu area (beyond Hana) will probably be closed for another 3 weeks. Not sure when you plan on traveling, but this may be a consideration.

Lori

Just curious .. why do people feel the rental car contract does not apply to them ? Are these special people ? Another case of "rules do not apply to me" I guess.

We've been to Hana 7-8 times with rental cars and always returned via the "main" route. Perhaps we missed some scenery but that's better then car problems on a stretch of road your contract states you should not be on in the first place.

sylvia3

Lori, no one breaks the fine print of the rental contracts by driving all the way around the island on a state road (although this could be true if you rented a high-end sports car, I wouldn't know). Read it carefully, and you'll see that the road is constantly maintained, and miles of paving added almost every year. I am not a scofflaw by any stretch of the imagination, and would never take chances; but if you haven't seen the fabulous scenery because of a misconception, perhaps you the next time you should do your own research and not assume.

DebitNM

Think about this for a moment. IF that rental car breaks down or some other issue on the southern route from Hana...[no cell service, few other cars, dark...you get the picture] how happy are you going to be when you have to spend the night in the car? And when you finally get a hold of the rental car place...I don't think all the talking in the world is going to convince them that that road is maintained ! And they really do have the final word. When you rent a car, you sign that contract and believe me -- it is worded in their favor, not the renters.

Personally, I think there is SO much to do in Maui without driving "all the way around" that I wouldn't take this particular risk.

IMHO of course.

Debi

OldSouthernBelle

Lori: There are many laws (and seem to be more every day)that are a bit silly over the top about liability. It does make for confusion as to what is a functional liability.

For example: I remember being very surprised as a child to learn that walking downtown in high heels (very in vogue back then) was against the law. However, all the business women wore them.
It was based on the grated vents in the sidewalks and danger of stepping off the curbs - and the law prevented women from sueing the City if they had an accident.

We did and I'm glad we did. The road was bumpy pavement (washboard type)most of the way. It is long and VERY dark if you wait too late...we were on the cusp.

That said, I would not have been a happy camper if we had broken down!

Each will have to weigh the risks and decide for themselves.

newcomer1

To (somewhat) answer your questions:
Do go during the week - fewer people on the road.
We went 2 years ago at this time of year and went back the way we came, though I know several people who went the other way and had no real problems.
The road to Hana is all about the drive - you won't really "see" what it's all about if you stay in the car. My advice is to get out and hike at every opportunity; if you do, it will be a trip to remember rather than just another pretty drive. We took all day just getting to Hana (pick up a picnic lunch in Paia and take one of those unpaved roads to a private beach for lunch), did an overnight in Hana, and then the next day did the Red Sand Beach, Black Sand Beach (Park), and on to the 7 sacred pools (take the morning ranger hike, and, if you are really into hiking, go beyond to the Bamboo Forest). Even if you just drive, go all the way to the park where the 7 sacred pools are - awesome scenery on the way. Make reservations for Mamma's Fish House on the way back, if you return the same way. And, if you are at all prone to carsickness, take Bonine and buy some ginger candy for the road (frequent hiking stops will alleviate that, though). Have fun!

dusty56438

The temporary bridge will be completed within a month. So you will be able to get to Seven Pools then.

Most people that go back the same direction go as far as Seven Pools or Lindbergh's grave a mile or so past Seven Pools.

kamahinaohoku

bodhijack - I suggest you call the rental car company you're planning to use in Maui and ask THEM about their policies regarding off-road driving. You might be surprised about what the consequences are for taking their car off-road. Years ago, I worked for Dollar RAC for 2 years, and they were very strict about no off-road driving. That may have changed. I think I remember that the backside of Haleakala has a stretch of a mile or two that's not considered a state highway (so it's considered off-road, but I could very well be wrong about that.)

As much information as you can garner on this site from us Fodorites, it's best to ask the people who own the cars and make the rules regarding them. The rest is just pure speculation.