HANA
 

I posted a message on 11/17 requesting in fo on the road to Hana. Is the road safe, after the huge rainfall they have had? Also, I would like info on ACTUAL tour companies. We prefer a van type mode of travel. Does anyone, with some credibility, have anything they can offer to us. It seems there are people who have nothing better to do, also, with an ax to grind, volunteer useless gibberish to an honest question. Surely, there are sites for the misinformed to frequent. I am assuming that questioners on the Fodors Site are genuinely interested in an honest answer.

I am sorry I do not know the current condition of the road, but on our many trips to Hana on visits to Maui we saw many tour companies, most were using vans. Roberts Tours is probably the biggest on the island so I'd check with them.

Secret ( Travel ) Agent "Joy". Shouldn't "Misinformed" be "Unimformed" ? Ever heard of Search Engines or News Sites ?

Attn: Joy, <BR> <BR>As per the state highway dept. <BR>The road to Hana is cleared of all <BR>debri and in fine shape. <BR> <BR>Here is a list of GOOD VAN tours that <BR>do the road to Hana. <BR>1. Temptation Tours <BR>1-800-817-1234 (www.temptationtours.net) <BR> <BR>2. Valley Isle Excursions <BR>1-877-871-5224 (sorry no web site) <BR> <BR>3. Polynesian Adventure Tours <BR>1-808-877-4242 (www.polyad.com) <BR> <BR>Enjoy your stay on Maui <BR> <BR>JDP

Joy, <BR> <BR>Check out Ekahi Tours. I used them for a Haleakala sunrise tour last month and they were quite good. they also do a Hana tour. <BR> <BR>www.ekahi.com

THANKS very much to Lori, JDP, and Janet for answering my question about Hana. I am very appreciative. Mahalo

Joy <BR>We just returned from Hawaii on Sat.& we did the road to Hana. We had rented a car and drove it ourselves. The road is fine and is not damaged. It is a narrow road in places, speed limit around 15 MPH on most the road. There are a number of tour companies that you can use, however since we did our own driving I did not pay much attention to the names. It will take all day to travel to and from Hana as the road has LOTS of switchbacks. Consider driving it yourself so you can stop where you want, when you want.There is nothing in Hana to see, it is the drive that you go for and the sights along the way.

I agree with Rich. The drive is the great part of the Road to Hana, and you have to allow for a full day. Unless you're absolutely petrified about driving on roads that you don't know, I'd recommend renting a car and doing it yourself. There are numerous places to stop . . . just look for cars pulled off the road. The nice thing about doing it yourself is that you can go at your own pace, lingering at places that interest you and skipping over things that don't.

We drove the road to hana 11/16/2000 in a jeep(great way to do it)check with the ranger station at the state park at oheo gulch they will tell you if the road is open to go all the way around & not have to go back the same way you came.We left at 6am & got back about 7pm but did a lot of stopping so leave early fill your gas tank & pack food & drinks there is not much along the way.

Just got back a week ago - took the road to Hana- it was fine - you should get the tape that tells you what you are seeing as you go - if you are doing it on your own. Just ask (the place we stayed at in Huelo had one for us). Get banana bread and coconut chips along the way - yummy!

Thanks very much to all who replied to my request - all answers are valuable. I have another question - what about the idea that using a tour co. gives the "driver" a chance to see the scenery since, from what I have read, attention to the road is really important. Thus, my question about tour companies. I appreciate all of the answers regarding Hana that I have received.

Hi, Joy! <BR>I am a Travel Consultant and I have done the road to Hana. We drove our rental car and were fortunate enough to be able to go all the way around without having to back-track the same way we came in. It is slow-going so the driver will get to see plenty, and you can stop as often as you like. I have never had a client use a tour company for this trip, so I can't give you much advice on this except that you are "on their nickel" meaning you will have limits regarding how much time you can spend at the places THEY choose to stop. Some of the best sightseeing is a short hike off the road. You may want to give serious consideration to driving it yourselves. Whatever you choose, you will love it!

How long will the drive take to Hana from the airport,at night (hope it is safe, if we drive carefully), without stopping? We're staying there 3 nights and our flight got pushed back until the evening arrivals. We'll do the sightseeing on the return trip. ALso, does anyone know about the construction at or next door to the Renaissance Wailea, posted a message earlier on this forum, but haven't had any luck withanyone that has seen it recently. We're staying there as well next week and hope it won't be too obstrusive (should we move to another hotel?). Thanks

The ride to Hana from the airport is several hours during the day with stops. <BR>I have no idea how long the road will take at night but keep in mind it is a winding road, hundreds of hair pin curves, 1 lane bride. <BR>You might be better off finding an overnight motel near the airport ( there are a couple but I dont know the names of the motels-check the AAA book). <BR>

We've been to Hana many times but I'd never attempt it at night. Too many curves, 1 lane bridges and very very dark I would imagine! I'd get a motel near the a/p as someone else suggested and start out in daylight. I'm not so sure many of the locals would do this route at night unless they lived in Hana and were very familiar with the road.

B...I stayed at the Renaissance Wailea a couple of weeks ago and had a room on the side where the construction was going on next door. They started the equipment about 8:00 every morning but we were up and out by then so it wasn't too bad. It usually stopped around 4:00-4:30. You could hear the equipment noise during the day a little bit while sitting in certain areas by the pool. It wasn't terrible, but every now and then I thought it would have been nice to not have to listen to it. If you plan to stay there, ask for a room that is away from the side of the construction (north side)when you check in. They didn't tell us when we checked in...only found out when we read the note in our room. Despite the construction noise, we really enjoyed our stay there.

Thanks for your help. We moved our room to the extreme end of the South Side of the property...hopefully no problem!

I just returned from Maui a week ago. I drove the Road to Hana in a Ford Ranger I rented from Budget. The ride was smooth and I enjoyed the challenge of the drive. I'd NEVER take a tour. I'd HIGHLY recommend the book "Maui Revealed" for inside info on the Road to Hana. The authors explain in detail places to stop to see exquisite waterfalls where tour companies don't stop. We stopped at several (we ran out of time) and were the only humans there. I'd also HIGHLY recommend staying overnight in Hana or camping at the Black Sands Beach. That would allow stopping whenever you want without worrying about nightfall. I also drove all the way around and wouldn't miss that!

TO:123 Regarding Hana - How much can the driver of the vehicle see? We have read that the road to Hana is made up of narrow roads, hairpin curves, one-lane bridges, etc. Seems to me that a driver must pay extra special attention to the road. Of course that is paramount, so the driver will miss much of the beautiful scenery. This is why I asked about tour companies.

Joy, <BR>I answered you way back toward the start of this but after reading your last response I just wanted to add that there really are two trains of thought about tours. If you don't feel comfortable about driving then of course take the tour, we've seen plenty of them on the road, they have smaller van like vehicles and do make stops along the way. I really have no idea what they are like however having never done it. We always rent a car on Maui so do this ourselves. I usually drive too and really I have to say I have not missed much in the way of scenery. You do have to concentrate on the road, but you are also driving quite slow (there will always be a few folks out there trying to make time tho) and there are so many places to stop that you can literally take all day for the trip. I understand your concerns about the drive, the very first time we did it (before the road was improved I might add, back in the '70's) it was somewhat nervewracking. While it is certainly no freeway the condition of the road is not bad. There are a number of hairpin turns but if you are driving slowly these are not as scarey as you would think. The one way bridges only allow one car at a time so really they are quite safe, you just wait your turn and go across. We've never experienced a problem at a bridge. The advantage of doing it yourself is simply that you stop when you want (or not) and stay as long in a spot as you like. I do not know if the van companies provide lunch or make a stop in Hana. We usually either take a picnic lunch and go past Hana to Hamoa Beach (lovely!!!) or else stop at the large hotel in Hana for lunch. Just do what is right for you. Incidentally, if you are going to be on Maui for several days do go to Mt. Haleakala - they also have tours up there (large buses) but again we've driven. That road is very good, well paved, fairly wide and not at all dangerous. The only bad part of it is the bike folks who are biking down, which I understand is a lot of fun, but not my idea of it! They do (usually) stay to the side of the road tho. <BR>Enjoy your trip!

Thanks everyone for your replies regarding Hana. Thanks Lori for info on the trip to Hana. We are not young people, but are active. That is why the question about the road to Hana was a concern for us. Unfortunately, there are drivers everywhere who will make their own rules - we see it all the time. I think you have convinced me that to drive ourselves is a good idea. Am I right to realize that we should provide our snacks and drinks, and not rely on "roadside" stops? We did see the Haleakala sunrise - it was unforgettable. We were very cold however, but would not have missed it. Many, many thanks

I would definitely not do the drive to Hana at night. We stayed at a cozy studio cottage in Huelo which is about a half hour from the airport and is on the way to Hana (35 miles from Hana). If you want info - you can e-mail me - it is the Blue Ginger Hideaway. <BR> <BR>Either stop in town after your flight to get groceries - or get them in Paia(sp?) on the Hana Highway.

Joy, <BR>Never fear - we're not young kids either!! That said :-) we always take snacks/picnic with us on the ride to Hana. We normally rent a condo above Kaanapoli so we "shop" anyway. You can also buy food to take along in Paia, the last town before the Hana road, (also use the rest room facilities there). It's good to have water/drinks with you as well even if you plan on having lunch at the hotel in Hana, which we've done on occasion too (they have nice restrooms ... this is an issue on that long ride, believe me! -- the public stops along the road can be a bit icky if you know what I mean.) <BR> <BR>If you do decide to drive just take it slow - let the crazies past is my motto. There are plenty of stops along the way. <BR>I just hope if you do drive and find you are not enjoying it you don't blame me! We just like the freedom of doing it ourselves but I can understand not being comfortable with the narrow, winding road too. it's really a personal decision (frankly I found it less nerve wracking then the several times I've driven in England!!!).

Hi Joy... <BR>We traveled the road to Hana back in May and im glad we drove..and didn't take a tour bus. Although I don't know about the tour bus..we liked being in control and stopping whenever we got car sick!! There are soooo many beautiful spots to see. You can pull off..and hike to a waterfall..or just to take pictures and get some fresh air! We also hiked to a remote little waterfall..and found out it was a popular spot for nude sunbathers...so that was a treat! We were able to sit and relax on some big boulders..and take a dip in the waterfall pool. It felt like our own little private spot. Something we couldn't have done if we had taken a tour bus! so give it a thought...traveling it alone.. and taking your own sweet time. I'd plan on taking the whole day to drive to and from...get up early.. the earlier the better!! Enjoy!!!

Message to Joy: Sorry I'm so late in responding. I personally drove the Ford Ranger on the Road to Hana and I really don't feel I missed a thing. The driving is very slow, and if someone came up behind me, I pulled over as soon as I could to let them pass. Natives may drive a little faster, but they're very aware of the tourists. My vote for driving yourself is mostly based on the stops when and where you want. In general, the tour busses all stop at the same places, so those spots can be crowded. I do know people who insist on a bus, but it's not for me.