forgot to put this in the Hawaii section

Hi, we're traveling with my Mom who, though still a young 52, is not that active and would have trouble doing a long hike or walk on some of the waterfall trails. Are there any beautiful waterfall sights that aren't too long or rough of a hike? She has never seen anything close to the lush, gorgeous scenery that Hawaii has to offer.

Also, how is taking the backroad to Hana lately in a midsize car rental? We did the entire drive once before but it was in a jeep. I know my daughter and mother would not be up for the full day of driving the entire trip takes, so I'm trying to figure out how to give them a little taste of it.

We're thinking of:
1) Taking back road to the pools and turning back

OR

2)Starting at the beginning of the Road to Hana and just doing part of the drive b4 turning back.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Iao Needle is an easy hike and very lush and beautiful. The Road to Hana can certainly be done in parts, with stops for short hikes to waterfalls.

thanks rjscott...I think we'll do that.

there's no Hawaii section, everything posts on the general *united states* board together. that said...

wishing you a great time on your trip!

You could easily hike to the first waterfall in Seven Pools area. It is only about 1/2 mile.

There are several other places along the road for even shorter hikes.

The waterfalls may be pretty dry this time of the year though.

It will take you the same amount of time to drive either way. You can pretty much budget yourself 2.5 - 3 hours to reach `Oheo no matter which direction you drive. If you take Hana Highway you will pass by waterfalls along the road. If you take Pi`ilani/Kaupo Road, you be driving on bumpy, unpaved roads and pass no waterfalls.

We've been having some unusually wet weather the past few days. It rained in Kihei last week--twice!

Hey, ggrtist, I see that you are into snorkeling, from another post of yours. Rather than Molokini, try the various reefs at, and past the Maui Prince. A lot easier (and cheaper) to get to than Molokini, and you won't risk getting seasick on the ride back! Maybe you can leave Mom at the beach at the Maui Prince, its a very nice quiet beach there. And then talk her into snorkeling with you. (52 is still "a kid".)

I've been meaning to ask this, but are you "allowed" to do the drive to Hana when you rent a car?? When we were on Maui a few years ago and we were picking up our rental car, there was a sign that said you weren't allowed to take their rental cars to do the Road to Hana. I believe they also put it in the contract you sign. I believe we were renting through Alamo. Is this still the case or does everybody just ignore the "warning" and do the drive anyway??

From what I gather, it's like the law many cities have against women wearing high heels...people ignore it.

Belle

Big Jim - you are allowed to go to Hana and beyond to Seven Pools area and to Lindbergh's grave in a regular rental car.

Shortly after Lindbergh's starts the area not allowed in regular rental cars.

Thanks a bunch everyone for the info.
kanunu- I'm sure I can definitely get Mom to try snorkeling and she'll probably get a real thrill out of it.

As for the Road to Hana, since there's that closure a few days during our trip, I guess we'll just have to make that decision on the fly. I didn't realize it's the same distance in either direction to get to Oheo Gulch, so guess if we do it, we'll do it the "legal" way

Suze, when you post while in the United States section you have the option to select a specific state. Then your post comes up for people who are only searching and responding to threads for specific states...such as Hawaii.