Aloha Fodor forum!

I'm going to be travelling alone on Maui for a week at the beginning of March and I'm hoping you might have some advice for this 31yr old solo female traveler.

#1: Is theft/car break-ins as bad as "they" say? Meaning, if I'm parked somewhere for an hour or two (say Haleakala) with a backpack hidden in the trunk or something locked in the glove box, am I basically guaranteed it will get stolen? I'm smart enough not to leave my purse laying on the driver's seat.

Also: what do you do when you're at the beach? I'm staying in Wailuku but will do a day of beaching and surfing at Launiupoko. Can I lock my stuff in my car when I'm in the water? What do you do with your car key? Do some beaches have lockers you can rent? This issue is obviously exacerbated when you're a solo traveler, but I can't see how being in a couple is any better...unless you want to swim separately!

#2: Road to Hana: Is driving it half the fun? I was initially planning on driving myself, but the place I'm staying has a "free" tour there (12hrs total return trip) including key stops. As a driver, are you too focused on safely driving to enjoy the scenery, or is it more fun to drive it than be the passenger? I'm thinking it might be enjoyable to experience it as a passenger, as well as to do it with some other travelers. I'm also wondering about driving back after dark...is it's sketchy?

TIA!

#1: While break-ins aren't guaranteed, the answer to your first question is yes. In Hawaii, locking anything in any part of a car is asking for trouble, although it's much more of a problem in remote locations like Haleakala on Maui and South Point on the BI than in developed areas. Also, in the state's defense, higher rates of petty crimes are offset by much lower than average rates of more violent crimes.

The golden rule to to leave everything UNLOCKED with NOTHING inside, including but not limited to car doors, glove boxes, consoles, back seats and trunks. Think of any lock on a vehicle as a big "BREAK ME" sign to these criminals.

As for stashing your stuff, the buddy system is the most effective. If possible, find someone to watch over it (it's best if your new beach buddies are fellow tourists and not locals) , and use secure pockets or pouches on your beachwear for keys/credit cards/etc. Some beaches offer lockers, but at least from stories I've heard they're not much safer than rental cars.

#2: The answers to your first two questions are both yes. Yes the road is fun to drive for people who like to drive, but the usual point is to take in the often breathtaking scenery, and it's impossible to do both at once. I think generally, the more you travel it, the more you'll wish to be a passenger. If you are prone to car sickness, definitely steer clear of tours especially in small touring vans. We once did Mauna Kea summit in one of these vans and made the mistake of sitting in the very back of it, with the driver pushing 50MPH on 30MPH roads for 1.5 hours. We arrived back at our hotel feeling like we'd just been physically beaten. As for night travel on the Road to Hana I'd call it more pointless than sketchy. At night it's just a very windy road with nothing else to look at.

I'd consider getting something like this:

http://www.travelessentials.com/Loks...eck-Caddy.aspx

And yes, while I am part of a "couple", we do swim separately when we are at a public beach.

When I'm alone, I just don't go swimming out very far. I stay where I can see my stuff on the beach. I would put the car keys in a beach bag/basket along with my towels, lotion, book, just enough cash for the day.

I know some people use what sj7307 posted, but my worry is what if it fell off out in the ocean somehow, you'd be screwed. IF I were going to use a similar method, I'd buy a pair of board shorts that had zippered pockets. That seems more secure to me.

I'm so grateful for all your very excellent tips!

I'm glad, though, that you agree that the swimming/surfing thing is a bit of a predicament. I'm of the same mind as suze that I would feel really idiotic if I lost the pouch in the sea. I think I'll ultimately do a combo of all of the above.

As for the Road to Hana: I am more in the "love to drive" camp than the "prone to car sickness" one. Is that helpful? LOL

I've done my fair share of bad/windy/bumpy overland travel as a passenger (Malaysia's Cameron Highlands was a b%#ch!) and definitely know that "physically beaten" feeling.

I think your advice has given me the best idea! I think I'll drive myself, but travel with the team leaving from my hostel, thereby getting to experience the drive/eliminating the car sickness, and also getting to meet some people.

If you carry keys in board shorts in the water be sure to not include anything with electronic buttons. They will be ruined.

We have been fortunate in a number of trips (to 6 Hawaiian islands) to never have had a problem with crime, etc. Unless I count the time I picked up a nearly new car on Kauai, and the trunk lock was broken. When I switched the car, and questioned the crime rate, the rental agency rep said something like "Sure we have a little bit of petty crime here, same as anywhere. Follow the same safety rules you would at home. We have only about 10,000 people on this island, a few creeps, the cops know who they are. Where are they going to hide? It's an island. So violent crime is rare. Don't worry, have fun!"
I would have to say this was pretty good, realistic advice. There are very few places in Hawaii that I would be afraid to go - but, like anywhere else, there are some, so we just stay away.
As to the Road to Hana, many times I have heard that the trip is the thing, not the destination. I learned that, on my first trip in 1980, and it still hasn't changed. There are more things to enjoy along the way, than when you eventually get there. But still worth every one of those curves and one-lane bridges.
A free tour? Sounds like a lot of fun, and you will learn a lot more than driving yourself. Go for it. may even make a few new friends. You can always drive back yourself later, and spend more time at the places you most liked. Several times I have taken the tour first, enjoyed them a lot, then used my new found knowledge to explore some more..... and soak up that Aloha spirit. You will love Hawaii!

many family members and many trips to maui and no one has ever had their car broken into. if staying in a safe hotel, leave as much as you can there. i sometimes leave the glove box open, showing it's empty. everything else in the trunk
i think being overly worried on a trip will ruin it. when i go to the beach, all i need is a towel, lotion, hat, book, water and a car key. i just pin my key to the towel, hat or whatever and enjoy the day. all you can do is your best. relax and enjoy.