sean1

hello,

I'd like to know what the roads and driving conditions are like traveling from Hilo to Kohala on the upper road Hwy 19? We're thinking of driving back at night instead of spending an extra night in Hilo. However, my night vision isn't the best over the years. I've read the lower road 11 on the Big Island is curvy/steep. The Blue Book doesn't give details on the northern drive. It appears the drive from Hilo to Waipi'o Valley to be along the cliff, but after that I can't tell from Waipi'o to Hapuna Prince/Kohala. We would stop at Rainbow Falls, Akaka, and the botanical gardens on the way in the daytime and make it to Waip'io by sundown.

What's the terrain like, mountainous, curvy, steep etc?

I've driven back from Ke'e Beach on Kaui to Kapa'a at night, no problems. But I wouldn't attempt the road to Hana or north Maui at night. Those headlights on our rental car were so weak.

Thanks locals and Fodorites! Any help is appreciated.

Sesamee

I prefer the 19 route from Hilo to Kohala. 11 takes longer, and yes there are some sort of curvy and slow areas. Neither roads are at all dangerous. Neither roads are cliff-hangers if that's what you are asking.

I'm not sure why you are asking about the road to Waipio. This road is extremely steep and narrow and runs along a cliff. If you are looking to avoid that type of drive, skip it. It is not on your route anyway. You'll bypass the road to Waipio and head through the Waimea area and on down to Kohala.

I hope this helps answer your concerns.

Sesamee

fdecarlo

The highway itself is excellent, and very well marked. But as with many roads on the Big Island there are no street lights for much of the route -- strict lighting ordinances are in effect because of the Mauna Kea observatories. Really you shouldn't have a problem unless you're very night blind, or run into heavy rain.

The only part of the route that's curvy is the first 20 or so miles from Hilo. The highway winds along mountainsides and over some deep gorges. Once you're past that (and you will be, well before nightfall), it's relatively straight except for a few short spans in and near Waimea.

As for Hwy 11 I'm not sure why anyone would think it's especially curvy or steep. It's not.

Sesamee

11 can get curvy in some of the areas and it really slows down as you near the Kona area. The part from Naalehu to Kealakekua just seems to take forever. It's going to make for a lot longer drive if you choose this route, so take the other route. Easier, faster, better.

memar1

Just returned from 8 days on the Big Island yesterday. We did the drive from Kohala coast (Hapuna Prince) to Volcano via Highway 19. It is a very nice, scenic, curvy, steep, windy drive.
One thing we said to ourselves is that we are glad we didn't have to make that drive at night!