Memorial Day Weekend: Avoid Road to Hana and Haleakala?
 

Hi,

We'll be in Maui starting this Sat night. Should we avoid driving on the Road to Hana this Sun or Monday because it's Memorial Day weekend? Will traffic be much worse than other days? How about going to Haleakala?

We were going to these places first, and then move to a resort on West Maui. But considering it's Mem weekend, should we switch our plans-- stay at the resort over Mem weekend, and then do road to Hana and Haleakala on the week days?

Please advise!

Thanks!

I don't think the traffic would be much different on a weekend vs weekday.

Right now the Road to Hana has a road closure. Its actually past Hana on Pi'ilani Highway between Hana & Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Pools).

It closed on May 4 for for an expected 3 weeks which means it would reopen on Memorial Day. So if you want to go to Ohe'o Gulch and/or take Pi'ilani Highway around to complete the loop, you ought to do it later during your trip & hope it opens on time.

Info:

Upcoming Bridge Replacement at Paihi to Trigger 21-Day Road Closure

Press Release

April 23, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upcoming Bridge Replacement at Paihi to Trigger 21-Day Road Closure

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii-- The County of Maui Department of Public Works announced today that the ongoing construction of the new Paihi Bridge and the removal of the existing temporary bridge structure at Paihi will require a road closure expected to last 21 days beginning May 4, 2009. Other brief closures lasting up to 3-4 hours may be needed to ensure worker and motorist safety after the road reopens on Monday, May 25, 2009. The Paihi Bridge is located in Kipahulu in East Maui near mile marker 45.

The three-week closure will allow the disassembly and removal of the temporary structure; vehicular access is expected to be restricted for the duration of the closure. The contractor, Global Specialty Contractors, said it will provide a shuttle to transport area residents through the construction area in the mornings and evenings to accommodate students, employees and others needing to travel to Hana town during the day. For more information on the shuttle service, call Global Specialty Contractors Foreman Jeff Francis at (808) 741-8305 (cell).

Paihi Bridge was scheduled to be repaired prior to the October 2006 earthquake, when its footings were damaged by the quake. After it was determined that the earthquake damage could not be safely repaired, a temporary bridge was installed to accommodate road traffic until the design and engineering work for the permanent replacement was completed.

Signs have been posted to notify motorists of the long-term closure; other same-day road closures will be posted on the County’s website at http://www.mauicounty.gov in the “Road Closure Notifications” section and sent out through the website’s e-notification email service. To subscribe, select the notification tab on the home page, and click on “sign up.

http://www.mauicounty.gov/index.asp?NID=643

I've been on Maui for Memorial Day and it's actually a pretty quiet time. If you go to Haleakala via Baldwin Ave (from Paia) you will pass the Veterans Memorial Cemetery right before you get to Makawao. It is an awesome sight, with hundreds of flags waving in the tropical breeze in honor of the holiday.

Thanks, all, for the reply. I guess the beaches will be even more packed on a holiday than Road to Hana or Haleakala. Ok, we'll stick with our original plan then of dooing road to Hana and Haleakala over Memorial Day weekend and beaches later in the week.

Thanks