Renting a car in Maui
 

I'm thinking about going to Maui at the beginning of June and I am trying to make travel arrangements and figure out if I want to rent a car? Has anyone had any problems? Are there better means of transportation? I had wanted to go to the top of Haleakala and see the sunrise one day as well as take the drive along Hana that I've heard is beautiful. So I thought a car would be advantageous, but thought it would be nice if there was another option as well.<BR>

Cars are easy to rent in Maui....just do it at the airport when you arrive. But also consider tours! <BR><BR> We took a tour to Hana...and I was thrilled I had not driven. It is a difficult road and besides that the tour takes you on past Hana and around the back side where the road is really just a rutted dirt path. I would not dare to drive a rental car on that kind of path...and the views are soo worth while. <BR><BR>We also did a tour to Haleakala in time for sunrise...and Im glad we did that as well. The road was windy and in the dark I would have had to go very slow.....besides we stopped for a super breakfast on the way home that was included. WE took Ekahi tours to Haleakala....and Valley Island Tours to Hana. Both were reasonable and picked us up at our condo.

Book a rental in advance and pick it up right at the airport. Doing your own thing is better than a tour IMO. Took the road to Hana - be prepared to spend all day going and coming back. Also went to Haleakala - be sure to dress warm there - 30 degrees difference at the top. Pick up Fodor's Hawaii - it will guide you step by step.

Please by all means rent a convertable. You will be glad you did

Have been to Maui twice, both time rented a car. Definitely the thing to do. There are so many interesting places to see, and armed with a Fodor's or Frommer's book, no problem at all to get around and do your own thing. I am not big on tours in places that are easy to get around, safe, and present beautiful opportunities to just stop and look at something that catches your fancy. As to Hana, we were in a car, and did the same back road to the Seven Pools without a problem.

Lisa, <BR>I agree with everyone else, you should rent a car..getting it as part of your<BR>hotel/flight package is usually cheaper than making arrangments after you arrive.<BR>My wife and I did the drive to Haleakala for sunrise..do this early in your stay while your bodyclock is still on mainland time. We did not drive ourselves to Hana..instead we did the Heli-trek with Hawaii Helicopters. We drove our rental car to the Maui airport then was driven in a nice van to Hana with a knowledgeable and friendly driver/tour guide. He stopped at the best sites..like the black volcano beach for swimming. Had lunch in Hana then driven to the heli-pad for the scenic flight back to the airport. It was a great experience!<BR>Also with a rental car you can explore the other parts of the island. Have fun!

You definately want a car and preferably a convertible so you can see all the awesome views. We drove to Hana without a problem (except a little rain) and up Haleakala during the day. If you do Haleakala at dawn I would take a tour bus. Its supposed to be dark, cold and crowded early in the morning there.<BR><BR>There are some roads that Hertz wouldn't allow us to drive on but 1) these roads you really don't need to drive and 2) even if you do drive on them as we did the roads really weren't that bad. <BR><BR>Have fun