Maui Drives
Jan 11th, 2007, 05:20 AM
#1
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Maui Drives
We will be making our first trip to Maui for a weeklong visit in late April for our 29th anniversary, staying in Kaanapali. Looking for some nice drives to sightsee. Jon's Maui website (excellent) recommended a drive to Hana, Lahaina, Iao Valley and West Maui. Can't do them all, just looking for the most enjoyable two or three. Any other thoughts on this ? We've pretty much narrowed our accomodations down to the Mahana. Any other condo suggestions in this area for under $200. Ocean view above ground level and air conditioning are the only other requirements.
Open to any other Maui thoughts or opinions you wish to offer.
Open to any other Maui thoughts or opinions you wish to offer.
Jan 11th, 2007, 11:59 AM
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I think most peoples must drive is the Road To Hana and another we really liked is on west Maui to Kahului just past Kapalua it becomes one lane for about ten miles or so. Be sure and have the video camera going as it is fun watch for oncoming traffic not alot but there are areas for two vehicles to pass. One thing to do before any of the questionable trips is read your rental car agreement as some of them are not allowed.
Jan 11th, 2007, 12:40 PM
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trg:
someone here recommended this site and I found it amazing www.alternative-hawaii.com. It helps for those of us who want to do our own thing.
Hope this helps. Have a great time
Gina
someone here recommended this site and I found it amazing www.alternative-hawaii.com. It helps for those of us who want to do our own thing.
Hope this helps. Have a great time
Gina
Jan 11th, 2007, 12:46 PM
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There are only 2 really long drives on Maui.
1. Road to Hana & beyond to Seven Pools. You can go as far as Seven Pools with any car rental. Right now the road is closed just past Seven Pools so you cannot go all the way around anyway.
2. Haleakala
Any other drives can be combined or are close enough to the resort areas so you can do as many as you want in 7 nights.
Maui Jon does have a great site.
Here is another that has driving tours:
www.alternative-hawaii.com
This one has nice maps & a good restaurant guide:
www.driveguidemagazines.com
Others:
www.gohawaii.com free brochure
www.visitmaui.com free brochure
www.thisweek.com This Week on Maui XXX
www.spotlighthawaii.com Maui Gold XXX
www.101thingstodo.com 101 Thiings to do on Maui XXX
www.hawaiiweb.com
XXX - These also have free brochures that you can pick up at airport baggage area and other places on Maui. Lots of info & coupons.
1. Road to Hana & beyond to Seven Pools. You can go as far as Seven Pools with any car rental. Right now the road is closed just past Seven Pools so you cannot go all the way around anyway.
2. Haleakala
Any other drives can be combined or are close enough to the resort areas so you can do as many as you want in 7 nights.
Maui Jon does have a great site.
Here is another that has driving tours:
www.alternative-hawaii.com
This one has nice maps & a good restaurant guide:
www.driveguidemagazines.com
Others:
www.gohawaii.com free brochure
www.visitmaui.com free brochure
www.thisweek.com This Week on Maui XXX
www.spotlighthawaii.com Maui Gold XXX
www.101thingstodo.com 101 Thiings to do on Maui XXX
www.hawaiiweb.com
XXX - These also have free brochures that you can pick up at airport baggage area and other places on Maui. Lots of info & coupons.
Jan 19th, 2007, 11:18 AM
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I highly suggest watching the sunrise at the top of Haleakala Crater! Arrive early for a good view and put on layers--it is cold. You can even take a tour to the top and then bike down after sunrise.
I'd skip the road to Hana--I don't think it's worth all the hype (unless you plan on extra stops along the way, it's just a line of tourists heading to one point only to turn around and go back).
Kaanapali is beautiful and Lahaina is cute.
Have a great trip and Happy Anniversary!
I'd skip the road to Hana--I don't think it's worth all the hype (unless you plan on extra stops along the way, it's just a line of tourists heading to one point only to turn around and go back).
Kaanapali is beautiful and Lahaina is cute.
Have a great trip and Happy Anniversary!
Jan 19th, 2007, 12:05 PM
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I suggest Haleakala for the sunset; go up before the visitor center closes, watch the rocks change color as the sun leaves, then pick a west-facing pullout to enjoy.Advantage is driving up the unfamiliar road in the light, no people (no bikes!!),no huddled freezing waiting for what might be total clouds anyway.
Iao is a very short trip; one pathway to walk, and it's very short. Likewise Lahaina, it's down the road from Kaanapali.
Hana is all about the stops along the way, then the gulch (seven pools). Terrific places to swim/bodysurf along the way to the gulch.
BTW, car rental agreements want you to stay off "unimproved" road, which the highway all the around from Hana (closed now) definately is not.
Iao is a very short trip; one pathway to walk, and it's very short. Likewise Lahaina, it's down the road from Kaanapali.
Hana is all about the stops along the way, then the gulch (seven pools). Terrific places to swim/bodysurf along the way to the gulch.
BTW, car rental agreements want you to stay off "unimproved" road, which the highway all the around from Hana (closed now) definately is not.
Jan 20th, 2007, 08:10 PM
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There are two coastal highways on Maui that offer spectacular views along with a challenging "driving experience." The Hana Highway is the more famous (and more crowded one), and features the waterfalls and mists of the wet eastern (Haleakala) half of the island.
The lesser-known drive is the Kahekili "Highway" along the West Maui Mountains from Wailuki to Kaanapali. Some people look at a map and think it's a shortcut from the airport to their hotel in Kaanapali, since it looks much more direct than the recommended route. But they're very surprised to find a narrow road barely wide enough for their car. But the scenery is in some ways more spectacular than the Hana Highway. This is the dry part of the island so there are no waterfalls, but the views from the sheer cliffs are magnificent. Do the Hana Highway first, since the experience you gain from driving its narrow roads and one-lane bridges will provide the necessary preparation this drive.
<a href="http://www.tedsimages.com/text/mauihwy.htm">This page</a> has a description and pictures of the scenery on both of these roads.
The lesser-known drive is the Kahekili "Highway" along the West Maui Mountains from Wailuki to Kaanapali. Some people look at a map and think it's a shortcut from the airport to their hotel in Kaanapali, since it looks much more direct than the recommended route. But they're very surprised to find a narrow road barely wide enough for their car. But the scenery is in some ways more spectacular than the Hana Highway. This is the dry part of the island so there are no waterfalls, but the views from the sheer cliffs are magnificent. Do the Hana Highway first, since the experience you gain from driving its narrow roads and one-lane bridges will provide the necessary preparation this drive.
<a href="http://www.tedsimages.com/text/mauihwy.htm">This page</a> has a description and pictures of the scenery on both of these roads.
