sylvia3

Au contraire, Chi, that road is continually being improved. It is not "off road" and is not the Kapalua-Wailuku trail.

sylvia3

Iris, check out close-up views of Googlemaps; it's pretty cool.

iris1745

Thanks sylvia3; As you can imagine I am a little confused right now, but that's not unusual for me.

I have started doing google maps and need to spend more time on that site.

It is a fun site and informative.

FaceInTheCrowd

My understanding based on having asked a rental car agent on one recent trip is that contracts prohibit driving on unpaved roads. You can make whatever argument you want about unimproved vs. unpaved, inakauaidavidababy, but unless you're willing to be on call to come to Iris's rescue, it's a moot point, because you'll never win the argument with a car rental agency.

Speaking of aloha, interesting that you'd come on this thread for no other reason than to argue. Where's the aloha in that?

Tabernash2

Sorry, I haven't read all the posts. Just wanted to comment that we once stayed at that Sheraton, below Kona. In fact, we have always stayed either in that area of the Big Island, or up north. Have never had a problem with vog.

The Sheraton is nice, and there's snorkeling right there, with a place to get snacks and drinks at the beach, as well. If you're adventurous, I think you can snorkel/swim to the Disappearing Sands public beach, as well.

We found ourselves staying overnight at this Sheraton, when our family's United flight home was cancelled, and they put the four of us at the Sheraton. Funny that everyone else in the family was ecstatic to stay one more night in Hawaii. However, because the kids were little and I am the one who shakes out the sand and packs all the kids' stuff-- was not excited to go unpack and repack for one night. Killjoy, I know. At least I thought to request two connecting rooms at the hotel.

Enjoy your first visit to Hawaii. I predict it will not be your last!

iris1745

Hi sylvia3, ChiSue and FITC; I finally see how I cannot get across to rt37 from Wailea.

Now seems like we will take the 'road to Hana.'

On another day, we would go north from Wailia to just beyond Kapulua. A senic drive and a few stops.

At some point will attempt to get to Haleakala National Park.

If we don't we will surely get to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and it looks like I can take the lower road from Kona to visit that park.

All is good and have much time to adjust between now and Feb. 1st.

sf7307

I would definitely take the drive to Haleakala (even if mid-day, which is what we did last trip) because the drive through upcountry and up to the volcano is beautiful, the volcano interesting (we hiked in), and on the way there or back you can stop in Makawao and Paia (cute towns) on your way back to your condo.

iris1745

Thanks tab2.

sf7307; I first thought after arriving at 11am, that might be a good time for us too visit, even if we don't get to the Village until 5pm.

So, that's a possibility. If we didn't have time to do much hiking, then just a scenic viewing and hiking on the Big Island volcano where we could spend a day.

sf7307

It's a long drive up to the top, but we left west Maui around 8 and got back (after eating an early dinner in Paia)around 6, but that included a 5-mile hike, so I think that's doable (probably 3 hours less if you cut out the hike and the meal).

Inakauaidavidababy

Face, I came to this thread with aloha and for the truth. I did not come to argue, but to disagree with your and Chi's insistence that the back road is not allowed on most rental contracts. I asked both of you to prove that in writing by copying and pasting your many contracts.

A single conversation is hear say and not proof of anything. How did you pose your question to the agent? How long have they been on the job? Put it in writing that I can't drive the backroad and I will consider this old argument. By your argument visitors better not go to Honolua Overlook to watch surfers and many other places that are not paved. Heck even parts of Wainapanapa is gravel, so best not risk it??? I stand by BS.

This disagreemnt has been going on for over a decade. Just as was sighted the Saddle Road on Hawaii which is now named after the famous Senator and fully paved. People still say, no no no no with nothing substantial to back it up. (I still wouldn't do the Saddle in the dark)

Per my experience staying in Hana 4 times, not once did an agent warn me about where I could and could not drive after I disclosed I was staying in Hana. However agents did suggest upgrading my vehicle for the drive. And three out of my four lodgings did not have paved driveways, so by your argument I would not be allowed to go to my rental in my rental. Hogwash.

Iris, I'm glad you now understand the old ranch road is on maps but has been closed for decades. Wear good walking shoes on the plane, as I have had to run from gate to gate in Atlanta, and they can be some distance for connecting flights in short time.

sylvia3

I was also going to recommend Saddle Road to Iris, but noticed they are at the Sheraton, so the southern route might be a good option; it's a scenic drive, if a long one, and they could do the park only. (If I drove back at night, though, Saddle would be my personal preference; streetlights are few and far between everywhere on the B.I.)
Listening to old "facts" about the back road to/from Hana (and the new Daniel Inouye Highway/Saddle Road, too) make me roll my eyes, too.

Shar

Ionai Palace is a nice visit also Shangri La which is the Doris Duke estate on Oahu.Incredibly beautiful. You need tix for that and they are obtainable on line or at the Honolulu Museum of Art. They take you by van.

BI...Flumin the ditch. google it and sign up. We just returned from Big Island so can vouch for it. It was very fun. about 3 hours from start to finish but it is not all in the ditch. there is a scenic ride to some lovely look outs. ALso Poholu Valley look out and hike down to the beach is great BUT wear study shoes no flip flops as it is rocky and can be a bit muddy. Not a swim-able beach but stunning with the black sand and rocks and green valley behind it.. On the way back from that hike look for Gill's taco's. excellent!

FaceInTheCrowd

Inakauai - you don't have to look far - i.e. a simple google search - to know you're in the minority on this issue, and as I said before yours is a moot point unless you can convince your rental car company to bail you out if you're ever stranded on the backside of Haleakala. And BTW, I wasn't insistent about anything; just thought Iris should be aware of the potential problems.

sylvia3

Nonsense.

Inakauaidavidababy

I called our bluff, and this is the first hit from a google search, which I hope you are never in court and say, "Well your honor, I googled it"

http://mauiguidebook.com/adventures/...to-ulupalakua/

Does driving back side (Haleakala or West Maui) void your rental car contract?
Some rental car companies discourage renters from driving in these locations.


Does driving here void your rental car contract, and can the car even make it?

First, lets dispel the pure myth that it is difficult for regular cars to circumnavigate either side of the island. It’s not.

On both sides there are portions that are perched precariously on the cliff’s-edge – West Maui has the longest of these spots.

Short portions of the back side of Haleakala are unpaved, but they are well graded and graveled. Some other sections look like they were paved one bumpy shovel at a time.

If you break down or get a flat in the wrong spot out here, you may revisit the experience in stories (and perhaps nightmares!) for years after – but except during extreme weather events, both are navigable by any vehicle, and if your vehicle is reliable, the odds are quite slim that you’ll encounter an issue.

“Driving on this side voids your rental car contract” is actually based on what appears to be intentionally discouraging/misleading exaggeration of the terms of the rental car company contracts. Put into context, the truth to this exaggeration won’t be enough to deter most folks with an adventurous spirit.

I called five rental car companies and, sure enough, when I called to ask, they all repeated “it voids the contract” word-for-word. But the nagging reality of what this statement means doesn’t actually add up – so, I pressed all for a real answer as to “well, what does that mean, voids the contract? Does it mean I don’t have to pay? Thats the part of the contract that most concerns me!” Well, all five reluctantly confirmed was pretty much the same thing: your contract will not actually be void – basically, if you get in trouble out here, you’re on your own to get yourself out of it, no matter what the contract promised they would do to help.

So caveat emptor: if you smack into an unsuspecting cow around the other end of a blind corner on the back side of Haleakala, you’ll likely be paying for the tow truck (and maybe even the cow!)"



I've never been given a car in Hawaii with more then 10,000 miles, so unless you hit a cow, which is an insurance claim and not an expected call to the car rental to come take you hand and bring you home to your condo - Hana does have a service station with tow trucks. Nor would I expect a rental agency come hold my hand if a Nene smashed my windshield up on the Volcano. Yes you insist on spreading your myth and protecting iris from the boogyman.

iris1745

Listen everyone==I'm out of here for a while with a lot of info to digest.

Thanks for all the help.

iris1745

OK friends. Car booked on Priceline bidding for Maui, 3 days at $144 all inclusive.

Everything is now booked for our 13 nights except a car for Oahu.

We can wait until we arrive and then decide if we rent a car or not.


Thanks All.

nelsonian

If you book a car for a day at Oahu, make allowances for the long queue at pickup time. We had a car booked for 9.30am and got there about 9am. The queue was VERY LONG!!!!.

Dave0099

Wow a lot of material to digest. Your trip is very doable, just remember that you are going to loose time with the arrival and departure. Thats a long flight and you will find you need a day just to recover. When I do the other Islands I usually like to go the reverse and end up with the major portion in Oahu, but no biggie. Also have don day flights to see the other Islands, flying out early in the day and returning in the evening.

I would definitely rent a car in Oahu, there is just so much to see around the island. You can circle the entire Island in half a day stopping to see things. Rentals are all over the place, I never have reservations, I just walk to any of the many rental places in Waikiki and there is almost always something immediately available unless there is some big event going on. While you cant actually completely circle the Island, you can go nearly around, and then go off in "spokes" crossing the central plains area where the Pineapple fields are, from the North Shore which is one of my favorite areas. There is just so much to see and do, I personally prefer to spend most of my time on Oahu and stay in Waikiki where there are lots of great restaurants.

Have fun!

dusty56438

Rent a car the entire time on Oahu & get out & see Oahu just like you would any other island.

Oahu has the most beaches of any Hawaiian island. Oahu has many of the best beaches in Hawaii.

Don't try to see the island (outside of Honolulu) in one day. Stop & smell the roses.