c

At one time, years ago, the road was quite a challenge, rutted, unpaved and rocky and not as highly travelled. It is not at all like that now, a few places you need to slow down, but you'll see quite a few other cars nowadays. However, if the weather is rainy, ask the ranger at Oheo about the condition of the road. In heavy rains, it has been known to have parts of the road wash out. Not likely with the dry weather that has been experienced here lately.

Note that the rental car companies do discourage travel on this part of the road. The only reason I can suppose is that they do not want to have to tow the car that far, if you do break down.

We have been to Hana many times and have rarely not travelled all the way around. A must do, in our opinion. Part of the experience is how much the scenery changes from beginning to end, when you do travel all the way around. Simply amazing!

DC

Unfortunately, we started driving from Hana Cassette Shell Gas station to Hana @ 9:30AM. We were using the Maui Revealed guidebook and stopped at lots of places. We ended up at Seven Sacred Pools at around 6pm. By then it started to rain and was getting dark. Hence, we didn't get a chance to go forward.

Driving back non-stop through the totally pitch dark and winding road is not fun at all. Got back to the hotel at around 9:30pm. I felt sick and nauseating afterwards. Next time around, we'll leave early and go around the whole Hana road.

We heard some tour bus left at 7am and drove through the whole Hana Rd. But the driver drives really fast on those windy roads.

Have fun!!!!

kwl

Any changes in suggestions from last summer? We are headed to Maui this May and will definitely be doing the drive. We arrive from the East Coast on Friday, so figure we will leave at dawn on either Sat. or Sun. before our body clocks change. We just don't want to encounter a ton of traffic on either day. Any insight would be fabulous. Thanks!

helen

We have driven several times and you always end up in a caravan somewhere along the road. It is like driving to a spend a day at a ski resort on a mountain road. Some cars are faster than others. Some drivers pull over to let others by. Just have patience and enjoy the drive and the scenery. We have never been able to tell if one day is better than another.

If the day is dry and you are careful you might be O.K. taking the complete loop. The road on the back side of Haleakala is unpaved and in places it hugs the side of the cliff with no guard rail between the road the and ocean. Watch for falling rock from above in this area also.

If it is a rainy day don't go around the back side because there may be flashfloods that cross the road. On the windward side the road crosses a lot of bridges but on the leeward side the road frequently goes across the bottom of the dry wash and back up the other side. In wet weather these washes fill with water, sometimes without warning.

Maria

Does anyone know if there is a road that connects the road to hana to the Haleakala Crater Visitor Center? I read somewhere that it connects by the Oheo Pools..is that right?

helen

The roads separate just a few miles outside of Kahului and there is only one road for vehicles to the top. Hiking trails abound though.

abc

I read this entire post but I can't quite get a feel for whether or not it's a good idea to take the road to Hana all the way around back to Wailea. Is it better to go back the same way you came or can you take the road all the way around? I realize it's not a good idea to take the road all the way around if it's raining, but what if it's a beautiful day? I definitely don't want to be telling myself we "should've went back the same way we came". Thanks in advance for any info. We will be there in May.

helen

You'll be liable if anything happens to your rental car. Car rental contracts and maps indicate this road is not covered under their rental agreement. It is not a paved road and it is single lane for some sections. In places the road hangs in space - straight cliffs above you with an occasional rock fall and straight cliffs below you to the ocean with no guard rail.

The windward side is lush and more scenic and more crowded. The leeward side is very dry and desert-like in many places. Still, many people do the complete circle on a dry day. If you develop car problems you'll probably have another car or two coming your way in the next half-hour.

BRIAN

DROVE THE ROAD TO HANA ALL THE WAY AROUND TO WAILEA ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO. I HAVE DONE THE DRIVE BOTH WAYS NOW AND REALLY REALLY PREFER DRIVING AROUND RATHER THAN GOING BACK THE WAY YOU CAME. IT IS MUCH EASIER THAN SOME LITERATURE WOULD LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE. CHECK WITH RANGER AT 7 POOLS ABOUT THE CONDITION IF IT IS RAINY, BUT OTHERWISE GO FOR IT!

mj

Had to laugh as I read this post. Several years ago we were heading out to Hana for a week's stay. We were staying upcountry and were aware that road work on the Hana Hwy meant that the Hwy was closing at 10:30 each morning for several hours. We needed to get an early start. Thought we're set our alarm for 6am and head out by 7 am. At the same time, I reset my travel clock from PST to Hawaii time and set the alarm. Must have been really jet-lagged. It was dark when we got up and headed out. As we headed down through Haiku one of use noticed that the clock in the car said 4 am. Apparently both of us had made the same adjustment to Hawaii time. Needless to say, we had the whole hwy to ourselves and arrived in Hana, having made an early morning stop at Blue Pool and Keanae, at 9 am. We still laugh about this.
Also, the road around the back side is generally very passable. If you are staying somewhere like Wailea or Kapalua, it can feel like a really long drive but it is definitely doable. We are alway amazed by the quick transition from lush Hana to barren Kaupo.

p.

Regarding comments about rental car coverage vs folklore and (outdated) guidebooks; in October 2000, our rental company, Alamo, said nothing at all(I actually read the fine print) about "beyond Hana", or going all the way around the west end which gets much MUCH narrower than anything around Hana!. It's all paved and OK, just be sensible. Have fun, wish I was there.
p.

Laura

We did the road to Hana and drove all the way around. Didn't have any problems. Use common sense if it is raining.

One place that no one has mentioned is the Red Sand Beach at Hana. Very pretty, not actually sand more like small pebbles. The contrast of the blue water and red is awesome. Ask for directions in Hana. It is also mentioned in some travel books.

klr

Kathy,

Just got back from Maui and we did the Hana trip on our first day which was Sunday. We left at about 6:30a.m. and the traffic was very light allowing us to get a good jump on the trip. And for the most part we were ahead of traffic for the most of the day and did not experience much heavy traffic. We stayed at a couple of beaches by Hana for a couple of hours and the sacred pools for about an hour. We drove all the way around and got back to our hotel at 7:00p.m. It was a very long day and we questioned if it was worth it. The scenery is beautiful but the trip is very long and at times sickening. Get a four wheel drive jeep. The road past Hana is pretty bad but offers some of the best sights.

Val Cawein

I would suggest that you leave quite early in the morning on any weekday. Take food and drinks with you and be ready for an incredible ride to Hana. Please go to:
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/8716/index.html
to see my travel article about Maui, Hana and see pictures prior to your June trip. Have a wonderful time!