larad: I enjoyed your report! Did you see the shave ice place as you round the cliff side going the wrong way to Paia called Auntie Ululani @ Kahulua? If you didn't try it, GO BACK! I'd like to hear if your top rating stays the same. :) No kidding, it was the best of the 4 major islands, imo! The ice was very very fine.

Stephy: We did the whole drive as well - yes, it's exhausting but SO worth it! If you have the time, spend at least one night in Hana (we didn't & wished we did).

Stephy, spend the night at the Hotel Hana Maui. You'll be glad you did.

Hi all - thanks for comments. Stephy - I don't think you need to stay the night in Hana, although I'm sure it would be nice - I'm glad we did not. Yes, it is a LONG day, but I wouldn't do it any other way.

larad, glad you had such a wonderful trip! Maui is indeed a heavenly place. One question, though ... since you're about the first person I've heard critique the Old Lahaina Luau in that fashion, did you not like the types of food they had and that type of entertainment, or did you simply think THEIR version of those things was lousy? Thanks ...

larad,
we are going to Maui in 3 weeks with my 80 & 83 year old parents. Will they survive the road to Hana? My mom will need several pit stops along the way. Thought we may do a partial trip. Can't decide.
Thanks for your report.