Hi - I will be going to Hawaii for my honeymoon next May (yay!). We are staying 6 nights in Maui and 4 nights in Kauai. In Maui, we planned on staying in a resort (Hyatt or Westin) but we heard that it might be worth it to stay a night in Hana to avoid traffic on the Road to Hana and have a little more time to explore that area - any thoughts on whether this is a good idea? As much as I'd like to do the drive and not rush, it seems like it might be stressful to switch hotels.

After having done the road to Hana in one day driving, we will stay in Hana at least one night if not two on our next trip. We stopped so much on the way to Hana we missed alot including the Seven Sacred Pools as it was dark by the time we got there. I may be alone on this but I dont think you would be disappointed!

Two years ago we4hn my husband and I went to Maui we did the drive to Hana and stayed one night the Hotel Hana Maui to avoid the one day trip. It was the best decision we made. I just wish we had stayed more than just one night. It truely is heavenly Hana so very peacful and quiet.

We have a full trip report and pictures. Just email me at kbarnes @utdallas.edu and I will get you the link

The road to Hana has become quite a source of amusement for us. We have been to Maui many times, and each time we used to say we were going to do the drive. BUT, each time we settle in and are enjoying the beaches, snorkeling, swimming, etc, and haven't made the trip yet.

We just can't stand the idea of a day in the car while on Maui-----we love the beaches and water there too much!

So this year we took a lot of photos of us around our resort, in lava rock pools, under waterfalls, etc. We jokingly call these our Road to Hana photos, with shots at the Seven Sacred Pools, etc, and everyone gets a good laugh. We told other people about it, and they all said we had a lot better day than we would have had on the road. So many people end up regretting the long drive.

We also spend a week on Kauai when we go over, so it's not like we don't enjoy the lush tropical beauty of Hawaii while we are there.

We've done the Road to Hana several times, and enjoyed it every time. It wouldn't be worth it to me to pack up my hotel room just to avoid the return trip, but then I hate to pack and to check into and out of hotels.

The last three times we did the trip, we returned by the southern (forbidden) road and it cuts at least an hour, maybe more off of the trip back to West Maui. Other than about a 10 mile stretch, the road is fine. The first ten miles is narrow and dirt, but passable (in good weather anyway). I would not do the road in inclement weather as there is a risk of a washout.

If you leave for Hana early and on a weekend to avoid the commercial traffic I think it is an easy day trip.

Be sure to by the Hana Road Narration CD and stop by all of the points of interest noted on the CD, it give a fascinating insight into Hawaiian history.

FWIW I have seen the CD on Ebay which is a good option to save a few bucks.

We usually stay in Upcountry (Haiku), so doing Hana in a day trip from there is relatively easy. If I was staying in Wailea, Kihei, Lahaina/ Kannapali, I'd spend overnight in Hana.