Would you drive the road to Hana or take a tour? Which is the best? Opinions needed from people who have done both.
Mahalo,
Leaving for Maui in June

I've driven it twice. It is a very easy drive. Take your time and stop often.

Lots of info:

www.alternative-hawaii.com Good narrative drive guides including Road to Hana w/photos.

http://www.alohafriendshawaii.com/roadtohana.html

http://www.hawaiianstylemedia.com/Gu...ana-Deluxe.htm

http://www.dartmouth.edu/~volcano/te...Haleakala.html

I've driven back and forth to Hana a few times. I'd do it on your own. I did take a guided hiking tour one time that was good. I was staying in Hana and met the guide beyond town. A guided tour with four or five people from Wailea met us there and joined us on the hike. It seemed like they were having a good time.

-Bill

Rent a convertible for this drive! You'll see/enjoy it SO much more! Also, if you have time, stay a night or two in Hana so that you aren't rushed, otherwise you will not have time to see all the sights/explore.

Having driven it on our own, I wouldn't even consider doing a guided tour. Rent a convertible, get one of the cd guided tours and/or the "Maui Revealed" book - no guided tour can beat it!

I agree with the above, rent a car, plan lots of time, buy the CD, and be sure to go beyond Hana to O'heo Gulch, and HNP. Hike up to the waterfalls its about an hour hike up and half that down. Worth the effort.

Buy some of the baked goods from the road side vendors. We had some fresh baked pineapple bread that was wonderful.

Leave early in the morning and on a weekend day if you can to avoid the commercial truck traffic and the tour vans at the popular stops.

If the weather is good, take the southern road back. It save a fair amount of time on the return trip.

Leave VERY early, stop at the waterfalls (might be able to actually park if you leave early enough), lava tube in the state park, etc.; enjoy, go all the way around! It's an easy drive.

There are several waterfall hikes you will have to choose the ones most important to you.

Yes leave by 7 am if you're staying on the south or west side. And take your time and enjoy the sights on the way.

teach4thgr, definitely drive the road to Hana. Do not take a tour. Driving yourself allows you to stop when and wherever you want. There are many trails to walk through, waterfalls to see, and different views to stop and take pictures. Also, something that I think is very important, that made the road to Hana even better, was driving all the way around. Don't stop and turn around. The rental car companies tell you to turn around and go back the way you came. DON'T TURN AROUND. I can't stress that enough. Driving around the back-side of Haleakala was some of the most beautiful views we have ever seen. It looks like the island is completely uninhabited. I got the same advice from someone else on this forum and it turned out to be priceless. Hope this helps. Have a great time. There is nothing like the islands of Hawaii.

Yes, yes, yes, keep going--stop and swim at gulch, then keep going. The road has been much improved in the past few years, and the parts that aren't paved are usually well graded. The back side of the volcano is stunning, the ocean views are amazing, and when you come around to the west side from the south, you enter the rain forest almost right from the desert--just a wonderful drive.

As everyone has told you, please drive it! It is a sight to behold. Also, you will have the time to stop and see what you want to see. It is a curvy ride! The waterfalls are beautiful! My family and I had a blast several years ago. BTW, I teach 2nd grade!

I would suggest that you skip the Road to Hana entirely but if you ae going to do it do it on your own. I teach but not second grade.

If you aren't going to Kaua'i also then don't skip it!

As the others said, don't take a tour, drive it!

(And I teach 7th grade

I teach second grade and I think Rusty needs a time out.

-Bill

Hana Highway is not to be missed; spectaular tropical views, waterfalls in season. If driving - which gives you lots more flexiblity - allow 3 hours AT LEAST from Paia to Hana for full sightseeing experience. Be aware - not too many bathroom stops in the 50 mile trek; several roadside fruit stands but taking a cooler with your own picnic is recommended [enough for lunch, snacks AND dinner]. Purchase one of the guides - tape/CD or book; worth it for background and best places to stop, etc.

One key - let the locals pass you!!!
They have to drive this road, sometimes daily. Be kind; pull off when safe, and wave them by.

The Hana Highway is definitely a challenge for the driver, or anyone with motion sickness. It used to not even appear as a thru road on some maps and car rental companies still sometimes have weird policies about driving to Hana and then back via the 'dry side'. Even if you feel pressed for time, DO NOT speed. You are in paradise -- be safe, relax, ENJOY!!!

The road is in good shape since most of major construction is complete, but there is always a chance for tourists stopped in middle of road behind the next blind curve; rock falls; traffic jams around waterfalls; no parking at several pull outs so traffic back ups; non-courteous or ignorant drivers that do not know how to yield at the 56 one-lane bridges, or safely manuever the many tight squeezes and hairpin turns.

Go slow; pull off road completely when you stop; cross carefully when on foot; bring lots of film; go early in AM to avoid 9-11 AM tourist jam; return from Hana to O'heo Gulch [via dry side if you really like a challenging drive] or after 6 or 7 pm to avoid the day tour traffic returning to the 'other side'. Tour buses often pull out about 4 pm.

Not to be missed - Keanae Peninsula near mile marker ##, veer to the left, park at end of road near ballfield, careful on the rocks, bathrooms, fruit stand open some days/times.

Waianapanapa State Park, just before HanaTown - lots to do here, great black sand beach, caves, hiking along spectaular lava rock coastal trails. Camping and cabins but must already have permit from Kahalui office.
Bathrooms and outdoor shower.

Hana Bay and Tutu's ice cream [esp. the Macadamia Nut- Total Yum!!!] plus decent burgers, etc. at somewhat reasonable prices, esp for Hana. Nice picnic table area. GOOD restrooms, outdoor shower on beach.

Koki Beach, rustic, no facilities. Also careful of undertow and big surges, just past HanaTown

Hamoa Beach on the same road, used by Hotel Hana Maui too, more 'civilized'. Body surfing, people watching, sun bathing, outdoor showers, restrooms.

And onto O'heo Gulch; good swimming in many of lower pools. Check with park ranger for conditions. Only porta-potties here and no running water. Best hike is up the volcano past the Grandfather Banyan Tree through the bamboo forest and up to one of the Big Mama waterfalls; takes 1-2 hours. Bring bug spray! Free camping if you can stand the road down to campsite; wonderful star gazing here.

And so much more ...

We ended up going with a tour, and were happy with our decision. It's much easier to enjoy the sights if you don't have to keep your eye on the road. If you're the one driving, you pretty much can't enjoy the sights. Finding a good guide is key though. I can't say enough about our guide: Lynn Stone. She usually drives for Ekahi Tours.

The road you really want is Kahekili Hwy on west Maui. Go to Lahaina and take the highway around west Maui you'll run right into it. About 10 miles of one lane road but some of the best scenery you will ever find.

Both are nice rides, but the Hana to Kahului around the back side of Haleakala is a sight you will never forget.

Spend 2 nights at a hotel in Hana. This makes the road to Hana with its many spots to explore much more relaxing and enjoyable. Plus you can see things early in the morning before the tour buses arrive, and in the afternoon after the tour buses have left.

It was our anniversary and we loved our 2 nights in a searanch cottage at the Hotel Hana Maui. They also have cheaper garden rooms if you don't want to splurge.