FaceInTheCrowd

Ekahi Village is a good choice, kind of between the busy-ness of Kihei and the mega-resorts that line the beaches of Wailea. Low density enough that it doesn't feel crowded, even at the busiest times of the year. When we stayed there last year, Five Palms, at the north end of the beach, became our go-to place for happy hours. Food's not particularly memorable, but the setting is lovely. Best snorkeling in the area is at Ulua Beach, about 1/3-mile down the beach south.

iris1745

Hi; I tried the discount site and the cost was $166 all inclusive with Thrifty.

I do like the fact that Thrifty location is at the airport.

All others, except Payless is shuttle off the airport.

FTC; Good to know about the village.

ChiSue

I really like Ekahi and Elua. What's your unit number at Ekahi? (Or the VRBO listing number?)

I don't know of any car rentals that have the cars AT the terminal at OGG. Almost all are on airport property -- two minutes on the shuttle. I collect luggage while DH fetches the car, then he circles back to the curb at the terminal. (May be 50 feet from carousel to curb.)

Any luck with a car via Costco? I wouldn't pay in advance. You know how 'things change', although not always for the better with car rentals on Maui in Whale Season!

iris1745

Hi ChiSue; I tried the Costco site, but I think one has to be a member.

No unit number as yet. I used booking.com

Question; From Ekahi, can I go south to Hana on the lower ocean road?

I talked to a friend today that suggested he drove that lower road and it was paved.

sylvia3

You can round the island, but not south from Ekahi; the road that connects 31 to 37 has been closed for decades. Still need to go back through Kihei to Kahului, then to 36 (Road to Hana) or 37 (south past where 37 turns into 31). I love the road south past Hana around the back of the volcano; spectacular landscapes and ocean vistas. Here's an older travel log of one person's experience: http://travel.amitbasu.org/2010/piil...-road-to-hana/

FaceInTheCrowd

Most rental car contracts prohibit your taking the "lower ocean road" to/from Hana. I've not done it, but have heard there are sections with unguarded, steep drop-offs, and approaching Hana from the south, you'd be on the outside downhill lane, exposed to them. If for whatever reason you had a breakdown or got stuck, help would be hours away and cost a bundle. Not worth the risk for me, especially since it really doesn't save any time.

Inakauaidavidababy

Face, since you are so privvy to what 'most rental car contracts prohibit' would you be so kind to copy and paste those part of most rental contracts that state this. I'd appreciate your first hand knowledge in contract language to back up your statement.

iris1745

Thanks sylvia3 and FaceinTheCrowd' I did do a google map and it did show going up and around.

It said 2 hours and 20 minutes, but probably will take 3 hours, so it's a whole day trip.

Another day we would go north of the Ekahi Village and visit the towns and sites along the coast.

The day we arrive at 11am, I think we will go directly to the Volcano's National Park and then expect to arrive at the Village's, perhaps at 4/5pm.

Any thoughts?

ChiSue

I think you're saying you'll go up Haleakala after your arrival? You might not have much time for Upcountry before heading back down into Kahului -- and west along Mokulele Hwy.then south on Piilani Hwy. to Wailea. You'd want to stop somewhere for groceries. I shop Safeway right off Piilani about halfway from the 'bend' to Wailea. (Open 24/7; no alcohol after 10 p.m.) Most check-in times are 3 - 4 p.m.

Ekahi Village is an older complex. Many of the condos have been beautifully refurbished; some, not so much. I would want to see some photos of THE unit. You can see aerials of almost every hotel and condo complex in Hawaii here: www.hawaiirevealed.com I like the lodgings listings, but not some of the unsafe tips about places to go and things to do in Hawaii. Locals have dubbed this "Hawaii Reviled".

No, Piilani does not continue along the southern side to Hana. You can drive past Makena -- eventually on rough road -- to where the last lava from Haleakala meets the blue ocean. Road to Hana is about a 12-hour day if you stop and look, which is the point of the drive; there's 'no there there' at Hana. You start outside of Kahului near Paia and return along the same road. There are a few car rental companies -- Jeeps, I believe -- that permit driving 'the backside' of Haleakala, but it's a long, slow, bumpy ride just to say you did it. (Locals are also unhappy with tourists using this stretch.) Wailea to Kahului is about 30 minutes on 4-lane roads.

Inakauaidavidababy

ChiSue, I have the same question for you. Could you please site, copy and paste the rental contracts that forbid their vehicles on the backside? And how discourteous to say there is "no there there" on a thriving community of your island part time home. Not a lot of aloha in that statement.

iris1745

Thanks ChiSue; I thought going to Hana would be a long day.

But we enjoy long days.

Good to know the time from the airport to Wailea.

Will continue to monitor our stay at the Village and see if they give me a unit number.

I have until Jan. 16th to cancel if needed.

Agree, will not be driving the 'backside'.

nelsonian

We did the compete round trip on the road to Hana. The rental car company did not prohibit it, in fact they said it was fine to do the round trip. It is not scary, there is a small patch that is unsealed. For goodness sake it is a perfectly okay to drive. It certainly didn't take us 12 hours, and we did it from Laihaina.

sylvia3

I've driven the back way for 28 years in rental cars, except for once when the road was closed. Never had a problem, always loved it, never heard of "locals are unhappy"; it's a beautiful drive.

sylvia3

BTW, contracts often state "unimproved road" in their language (not prohibiting but warning that you would be responsible to get your own tow if needed). That particular route is constantly being improved. I read similar statements about Saddle Road on the Big Island; people are simply repeating old, outdated information.

iris1745

Thanks sylvia3 and nelsonian; I will inquire at the car rental counter.

I would like to do a complete circle from the Village going south first along the lower road.

Visit Hana and then go north on 'the road to Hana' to circle back to the Village..

Appreciate all input and a decision will be made after talking to the rental car agent.

ChiSue; We will look for Safeway. Our first thought is to eat in twice and out once.

sylvia3

Again, you CANNOT drive south from your condo complex to circle the island; that road deadends at Perouse Bay. To get to Haleakala or Hana, you must go north back to Kahului and choose your path from there. I recommend driving to Hana with a few view stops, then go past the town to the gulch (sacred pools, or Ohwyhee, can't spell) then continue on around (lovely views of churches, ocean, volcano back side, Lindbergh's grave, etc.). You will then eventually drive back (on 31 and it becomes 37) past a vineyard, through microclimates, etc, back to where you branched off in Kahului. There is no public road connecting Kihei and environs south with 31 (or 37) and hasn't been for decades.

iris1745

OK, I misunderstood.

Need to digest everything.

Trip still almost 4 months away.

Keep banging away. No harm, no foul!!

All arrangements for 13 nights have been made except a car rental in Maui and possibly a car rental for a day or two in Honolulu.

Inakauaidavidababy

I don't know why they insist on leaving that ranch road on maps. It is so misleading to tourists.

Unless you're friends with Oprah and need a shortcut to Spago or some flambeed strawberries at Nicks, or friends with the other ranch family that has rights to the road, all bets are off. I've often wondered what condition that old road is in, if the ranches keep it graded and in good condition. That little squiggly line on the maps has tormented my wanderlust for years.

ChiSue

No disrespect for Hana intended. However, getting TO it isn't the point of Road to Hana. The point is sightseeing along the way.

Auto rental agency contracts prohibit using unimproved roads -- which the 'backside' of Haleakala is. I could have been more clear by saying that you shouldn't expect some local to bail you out if you have car trouble back there.

Locals DO get tired of tourists going off-road -- hiking in mud, getting stranded by flash floods, whatever -- then requiring rescue service personnel to risk their lives to get them out. This is not an infrequent event around Hana and the unimproved road 'over the top of Maui' between Kapalua and Wailuku -- even worse in the opposite (outside of the cliffs) direction.

Also, some things need to be pared when a visitor only has a short stay on Maui -- like our OP here. Winter weather is another consideration.

Inakauaidavidababy

The back side is not "unimproved" It is maintained and routinely graded on the small unpaved patch. You're just making things up. If the road was truly unimproved would some tour companies decide to give their big van tours counterclockwise?