Best way to do the trip to Hana
 

We have the option of flying into Hana around 9:30 am (from Kona) and driving from there to West Maui (Sheraton) which would mean driving against most of the traffic. Stopping at just a few places (WAIANU FRUITSTAND, NAHIKU VILLAGE PARK, BLUE POOLS, WAIANAPANAPA STATE PARK)

OR

Flying into OGG and waiting until our last day on Maui and driving the road to Hana in the AM (stopping at the same sights) and flying out of Hana around 2 pm on our way to Molokai.


Never having done this drive before - I'm looking for your thoughts.

Thanks

Option number one would have you driving across the street from most of the sights with a long line of traffic going the other way. Might make it difficult to stop and see things. Also you'd be hugging the scary drop-off side of the road instead of the side against the mountains/land. I would prefer option number two. You'd be on the less harrowing side of the road and have easier access to the sights. Plus, after that scenic but tiring drive you can relax awhile and then have someone fly you out!

Crazy4Hawaii - is the time frame for Option 2 easy enough? Will we easily be in Hana by 1:00 or close to it?

It depends on what time you leave in the morning and how long you plan to stop at each place, but it should be doable. You will probably want to make a few other stops at scenic points as well.

I just made this drive for the third time a few weeks ago. We left Wailea about 6:30am and were at Ohe'o Gulch (past Hana) by about noon. This included about 10 stops/diversions, but none of them particularly long -- i.e., we did not do any significant hikes or stop to swim anywhere. We drove out to Ke'anae Penninsula and Nahiku, but we did not drive to the Blue Pool due to lack of 4wd.

Also, the earlier you start, the less likely you are to end up in a line of cars. We really didn't have too many issues with that.

One caution depending on when you leave: allow some time for getting through Kahului at morning rush. A couple of mornings, we ran into a lot of traffic coming up from Wailea. I don't know if the road from Ka'anapali is as bad (it was in the evening), but it is one lane for most of the way.

Sorry, on that last sentence I meant one lane in each direction -- not to be confused with all the actual 'one-lane' points along the Hana Highway.

If you are going to get out of the car to see things, like Ching's pool, on the way to Hana, I don't think you will have enough time to make a 2:00 flight to MoloKai in comfort. My wife and I and two kids spent MANY hours on the road to Hana, and have great memories. I would not want to rush.
just MHO