has anyone here driven around the nw shore of maui, beyond the west shore resort areas arriving back in the valley (airport area)? and the road past hana back to the vineyards area? if so, iare they safe roads? seems like traveling these parts can offer us a differ beauty perspective on hawaii other than the touristy stuff, which we have done on other islands. thanks alot for your help.

If you want to drive the south road back from hana you will encounter some incredible scenery. But last week my husband and I had to go into Hana and we took our truck via the Pi`ilani Road into Kaupo as we always do. It was a very stormy day and we encountered many rockslides and a few bridges that were flooded. At one point we had to drive under a waterfall that had swollen to overflow a bridge. We have made this drive many times before (my husband has been driving these roads since the late 60's). Each time we travel we see more and more visitors making the full circle. On a normal day this may be fine, but we passed rental minivans and Dodge Neons trying to navigate the road this day. We encountered people stopped dead on the road, often behind blind turns. At one point we came over a blind hill to come within inches of a Chrslyer convertible speeding up the hill. But the scariest are the hotdogs in rental jeeps who think they are on a thrill ride at Universal. The gravel is loose and after a rain it can be dangerous. It is not uncommon to come face to face with a cow in the road or a rockslide on the side of a hairpin turn. It is good sense and common courtesy to pull over and let oncoming traffic pass when necessary and to honk your horn when entering a blind turn. And it wouldn't hurt to pull over and let cars and trucks behind you pass. For about 20 minutes we were behind a driver who obviously was unsure of the road and was breaking for no apparent reason to the point of being a hazard.

It seems that no one who was travelling that day was interested in stiopping and taking in the sights. My husband calls it the Jeep and Mustang race, because everyone seems to be in hurrry, perhaps to make their dinner reservations at Mama's. If you do choose to go all the way around, take your time, enjoy the scenery and practice some common sense. And, for God's sake, if there is a storm and the roads are flooded in Hana Town, the Pi`ilani road will only be worse. It can be a great drive, really.

We did both of these drives last week. There are parts of the road that are not paved, but they are not that bad, and we didn't have any trouble in our rental car (not a jeep or suv). As heretoday says, weather will be a determining factor. Do allow yourself enough time -- it's slow going on these roads.

Your reward will be spectacular scenery and on the first route, the blowhole.

Marilyn - restaurants tips? Leaving for M next week. Booked at Pacific'O and Sansei ... have two nights free. Any suggestion except Mamas, too far).

There were 8 of us in a fabulous house, many who enjoy cooking, so we ate only one dinner out. That was at Sansei (Kihei) and it was really a delicious meal and great value. We love sushi, but decided to try the tasting menu ($65 for two) because it had so many unusual items. Everything on it was excellent and there was so much food that we had the last two courses put directly into a take-home box.

Others in our group ordered a la carte and also thought everything was excellent.

Have a res. at the Sansei in Kapalua next week. The tasting menu sounds like a terrifc idea - will give it a try. Have a good weekend.