I am going to Maui with my 70 year old parents in Feb. We are staying in Kihei. I would love to do the road to Hana, but it seems like a long trip from Kihei. Because they have already booked the condo for the whole time, we won't be staying overnight. Should we short cut across the island to Kahului and go northwest to take the loop home. Or should we go the other way. Not knowing anything about the sights, I wonder if anyone can offer advice. With my parents in tow, I have 2 concerns: 1) I will be in the back seat the whole time, 2) They will not be able to get out and run around at all the attractions.
Also, are the waterfalls really dried up from us tourist tyes drinking all the water?

Hi Simone,
personally I think the Hana run is over hyped. That being said, have you considered one of the van tours ? We used Ekahi and were well pleased, didn't have to drive etc and they take you all the way around too.
Have a good trip.
Paul

Simone...I think pspercy(above) post is correct. The van tour may be a good choice for you....I made the trip in Mar
02. Drove with a friend...Driver gets limited views....road is very narrow with lots of curves. Usually busy going to Hana in AM, and busy on the return in the PM. So the van would allow all to enjoy the views.

Hi: I checked my post and saw your note. Since we only had four days, we didn't think going all the way to Hana was the best way to spend our time so since the drought had dried up most of the falls, we turned around. It was interesting the short time we were on the road but I think I would rather spend the night in Hana if we tried it again. We wanted to see different beaches mainly and just relax - not into hiking and climbing (also didn't want to pack extra). Kihei was convenient - we ate at a Korean place by us (mile marker 1 on S. Kihei - can't remember name), also at KKO, Peggy Sue's, Margarita's and the Pioneer Hotel in Lahaina. Kihei has a lot of fast food type places to eat also. Hope you have lots of fun.

Simone, if you think they could handle a helicopter tour (Blue Hawaiian), you may want to try it. Not only do you see many other areas of Maui, but you see an overview of the road to Hana, albeit not as close, but you can get an idea if you want to take a van or a car and spend a whole day driving there and back.

The problem with taking a van tour is that there is no turning back if you don't like the Road to Hana or someone is sick. You are committed for the whole day !

We took a combination helicopter/van tour through www.temptationtours.com, the air carrier was air Maui. We were very pleased. You take the helicopter in to Hana, and then ride in the van on the way back. it was air conditioned and my husband was very happy NOT to have been driving that road. We both enjoyed it very much.

I was the only one in our group (they can fit 3 couples per trip) that got slightly sick from the helicopter. Our guide had dramamine, and I was fine for the entire 4 hour drive back.
Missy

Thanks to everyone for their advice. The helicopter ride sounds pretty cool. I will check into it.
Now . . . on to snorkel trips, kayaking, hiking, luaus ... so much to do, so little $$$!