Is it possible to do the Road to Hana trip in one day rather than stay overnight? I hate the thought of wasting one of the nights in our expensive hotel that we've already paid for. If you leave early enough and pack enough food/drink for the day, can it be done (and enjoyed!)?

Side question, in the BI/Maui/Lanai trip report that was posted by Gellers, she mentions a place in Pa'ia that you can rent a dog for the day for your trip to Hana! Does anyone know the name of that place? Has anyone done it?

Thanks!

Yes, it's possible to do in one day. Get up early to beat the 'rush hour' traffic on the main road. We went past Hana and did some short hiking at the falls that are there (having a senior moment, the name escapes me). We didn't even drive on the twisty part of the road after dark. Easily doable in one day. Might even be faster to go all the way around the island, rather than backtrack, but we didn't try it. Jean

Yes, it's possible, it just seems exhausting. We stayed two nights in Hana at the end of our trip and wished we had more time! I would leave really early, at least 7am, maybe earlier, in order to beat the crowds and to have as much time there as possible because there's so many wonderful things to see. Scope out what you want to see before so you have an idea of a timeframe. And we loved the drive around the backside of Haleakala, it's very dramatic, with views to the Big Island and all of Wailea/Kihei as you round north. Of course, it has to be light out. That part of the road has about 15 miles of graded gravel and is slow-going and bumpy, but passable in a regular sedan rental car so if you don't want to backtrack it's a pretty good way to go.

love
roxy

Rieprince, the huge majority of people do drive the Hana Road (usually all around) in one day. At least, among my friends and family, and most others I've talked to on discussion boards, it's a one-day thing. If there's not a lot of traffic (leave by 7 or 8 a.m.), and you're using to driving on winding roads, it'll be a much easier drive than you probably are anticipating.

It's possible to do the trip in one day & many do as stated. But personally, I'd recommend you take at least 2 days.
There are a ton of awesome places to stop- waterfalls, beaches, hiking, etc.

It depends what kind of traveler you are. I like to explore and get away from the crowds so I enjoyed spending extra time there. We actually stayed in Hana for 2 nights which helped. But we still didn't see everything I wanted to.

As the others mentioned, you for sure want to leave early in the morning to beat crowds, especially if you're not staying in Hana.

The "Take a Dog on a Picnic" sign is on the variety store in Pa`ia, but the dogs are actually at the Maui Grown Market in Ha`iku. And they are not for rent, they are available to to go along for free. The dogs get to go out and it helps at the store because 11 dogs are a lot to be underfoot at a small store.

Since we're on the subject, I have a question about the trip to Hana also. We'll be in Maui in July with our three kids and the thought of such a long day in the car makes me want to start pulling my hair out right now. I KNOW that the resounding opinion is to go all the way to Hana but, if you think you can only handle so much time in the car, at what point could you turn around and still get a feel for it? OR would your advice be to make fewer stops and go all the way around?

I'm praying the kids won't see the dog for rent sign on the way, or it will be all over for us. I just have this mental picture of my husband when the kids start begging to take several strange dogs along for the ride and it's not pretty!

The highlight of our road to Hana was that we had rented a convertible for the day. It really made the ride phenomenal! We stopped so many times in the beginning, that we were only able to stop in Hana to go to the bathroom and turn around again to avoid driving in the dark (which I would NOT recommend!). There's a wonderful book they sell in Maui - blue cover . . . that had lots of excellent suggestions for stops. Hidden Maui? Secret Maui? Something like that. Maybe someone else knows??

You had better plan on buying that blue book before you arrive here. It is not very popular here on the island and I know that many local-owned shops will not carry it. I suppose they sell it at Borders.

Maui Revealed? Here today--curious--why do the locals dislike it?

It has been blamed for increasing traffic at places such as Ahihi-Kinau. It also has been named in a few rescues this year, including one group of hikers who ignored posted warnings and followed the advice in the book and found themselves swept into a lava tube. They said aftwards they thought they were safe, even after being warned by locals not to be there because it was in the book. Many residents also disapprove of the book telling people to take shortcuts through private property or to park on private property. High traffic to pristine areas means more trash, cigarette butts, and a loss of the natural beauty that attracted the visitors in the first place.

In one article in the Maui News earlier this year they cited some examples of locals having the book waved in their faces by visitors, as if the fact that something is in the book makes it OK. Sometimes they are on sacred ground, sometimes it is private property and sometimes it's just downright dangerous and/or stupid, but it seems that what is written in the book overrides whatever a visitor may be told by a local.

After a man drowned two weeks ago at the Olivine Pools a quote from the book was widely discussed, one that calls the pools a safe place to swim with the ocean pounding around you. Unfortunately, many people believe if it says so in the book, it must true and throw caution to the wind.

I have not read the book, and I understand that visitors come here to see things, but unfortunately not all visitors come here knowing the kapus, showing respect for the `aina, and behaving in the spirit of aloha.

My sister in-law bought her Maui Revealed at the ABC store in Lahaina on Maui in March 2004. I have had a copy for a couple of years and she just never got around to buying it until she looked at mine while we were there. She took the guided van tour to Hana and loved having the book along with her.

I recently purchased the book, and I'll have to say that when I read a couple of passages saying to ignore some of the rules, I wondered what the author knew that the rest of the community did not. The bottom line is, if you choose to ignore a posted rule, you pay the consequences if something goes wrong. In other words, I don't care what the book says, if there's a sign that says don't trespass, I won't. Other than the newspaper articles, do you know if this has been addressed with the author?

Thanks for the tips, everyone. We really do want to try to do this in a day. Like I said, I just hate the thought of spending all that money on the hotel and then not using it for one of the nights. And thanks, here today, for the tip about the dogs! I hope we can do this--it sounds so fun! And I agree Jayne 11159, if I see a sign that says "no trespassing" or "warning" or whatever, I'll heed that, regardless of what it says in some book! It drives me crazy when people don't respect the places they're visiting!

From a Maui News story that also appeared in the Honolulu Star Bulletin:
"Attorneys for Maui County, the state and Alexander & Baldwin are looking into liability issues and possible recourse. A&B is the parent company of East Maui Irrigation Co., where tourists ignore "No Trespassing" signs to reach a series of waterfalls."

The whole story is here
http://starbulletin.com/2003/12/22/news/story8.html

Unfortunately, I think the damage that has been done is irrevesible. We have freinds who live across the street from one of the locations in the book. Yes, the location in the book is technically public property, but because of the geography of the area it is impossble to reach it without passing through private property. There is just no "beach" per se." You must climb over a fence and walk through private property to get to it. Once visitors were welcomed, but things have gotten nasty recently. Our friends have found surly people wandering around on their property, cars parked on the front lawn, trash. As in most things, it is the actions of a very few who reflect upon the group as a whole. The truly unfortunate thing is that people who once welcomed visitors to share these spectacular sights are changing their point of view. Places that never had a No Tresspassing sign are now kapu. But how would you feel if suddenly your once serene home became a parade of boisterous strangers, some of whom challenge your right to ask them to behave properly?

Lke I said, I have not read the book, but if the authors are advising people to ignore warnings, I think it is terribly irresponsible of them. It makes me very sad for the everyone.

Rieprince, my feelings exactly about renting an expensive room, then missing a night in it. If you check out (only to check back in a day later), then you have ALL YOUR STUFF in the car unless you could talk the hotel into storing it somewhere while you're gone........... has anyone every tried that? And of course, if you're driving somewhere, making lots of stops, you're a sitting duck for break-ins if your car is loaded! Zillions of people have done it in a day.......... you'll be fine!

reiprince,

I have never borrowed a dog, but we have spoken to the Borges, the owners of the Maui Grown Market. They tell us the dogs love to go along and that they really do know the trails. Apparently if you open the car door at a stop they will just head up the trail. The more I think about it, this sounds like something we might need to do this weekend! If we do, I'll post a full report!

Ok, if you've dined the, tell me about Mamas, Kula Lodge, Haliimaile General store ... and some informal place for lunch. Driving the Hana Rd. and seeing the volcano ... looking for the best places to eat.

And is there one really killer surfing area near Pa'ia where the surf board are really flying that we can get close enough to watch? Best time of day?

Kula Lodge is wonderful for breakfast, when you come back down after sunrise at Haleakala...... Eggs Benedict superb! Now, Hailemaile General Store gets raves............. but not from me. It's okay, but for what you spend, I think it pales beside other good restaurants (in that price range.) JHMO..... (And my sister agrees with me on this.)

What time of year are you going, onurzas? This week we had out first south swell, so the hot surf spot was beyong La Perouse, but it's a hike. If there is a north swell Pa`ia beach can be a hot spot. Ho`okipa can also be good for watching surfing, but it also a kite and wind surfing spot. It depends on the surf that day. My huband taught me to surf at Ho`okipa on a day when there was hardly any surf, ut it was grat for a beginner.

Mama's is something everyone must do once, but since I have moved here it has lost it's appeal for me. The food is great, but it is a bit pricey, but you are on vacation and should splurge yourself a bit. I love their lobster sandwhich with Moloka`i sweet potato fries that they often have on the lunch menu.

Kula Lodge is a fantastic spot for breakfast or cocktails. The veiw is fantastic. The eggs are great. Lunch is good, but nothing to make a special trip for. If you are there, by all means stop and eat. You will not be disappointed with the food or the ambience.

Hali`imaile roasted chicken is supposed to be the best on Maui, according to a recent Best of issue of MauiTime. If I ate chicken I'd give it a whirl. It's a great place for yummy casual grinds. I reccommend it for at least one meal