Maui Travel Forum

Aloha!

We are coming to Maui on the 5th. Driving to Hana is definitely on our list. We will be staying in Lahaina.

Our plan is to drive back to Kuhului taking 380 and then merging on to 36 on to Hana. We will be renting a compact car. Can we expect to drive up to Oheo Gulch and then drive back using the same route? or should we turn back even before that?

I heard that going beyond that requires all wheel drive vehicles, and I don't want to risk driving on there with this tiny car.

Please provide any recommendations. Thanks in advance for your help.

When you rent the car you have to sign saying you won't do the loop around the island, that you will return via the road to Hana. Yes, you can get to the Oheo Gulch without a problem. When my wife & I did the trip we returned the same way; another time my brother continued and went around the island. He said there was a rough, washboard stretch, but the main problem is that it took a long time.

You can do it with no problems in the average rental.

Recommendations:
1) Bring food and water. There are some big gaps between places to stop, and some are closed without notice. Some that are open have high prices and poor quality food.
2) Fill up the gas tank in Kahului for the same reason.
3) Bring bug repellent.
4) Leave lots of room in your schedule. All it takes is one slow driver or some construction and you will go real slowly.
5) Treat yourself to dinner at Mama's on the way back.

we drove the full circle with a basic rental car with no problems way back in '97 i think. they didn't ask you to sign anything then but it was really easy. i guess they make you sign a waiver in case you're from texas or something. (i hope you're not from texas).

and when the sign says "honk", honk!

the roads are a sinch for most drivers

Some car rental companies say no to the round trip, but it is doable as mentioned. Just don't try it if it is raining or looks like rain. It is a narrow road after a few miles past Oheo Gulch and muddy/slippery if raining. Why not return via the same route to look out over the ocean as you will see more if you look inland on the way to the seven sacred pools. Many stops along the way with waterfalls a few yards inland, make sure you park off the road. On the way back stop in Hana to see the bay and the birthplace cave of Queen Ka'ahumanu off a trail at Hana Beach Park. Your drive from Paia to Oheo Gulch will have many curves, over 600, with at least 50 bridges to cross. It is a long drive so start early in the morning to return the same way in the early afternoon. As mentioned by HB, stop a Mama's Fish House,$$$$, for the view alone on the beach and the interior of Mama's is pure Hawaiiana. The food is gourmet perfect and worth the higher prices. It is located just before getting to Paia town coming back from the Oheo Gulch. Paia town is perfect for a breakfast at one of the cafes before heading up the road to Hana. This is a full day of jungle/beach/waterfall driving and enjoying old Hawai'i.

The Hana highway is an excellent choice, we think. Once you have reached the Oheo Gulch, you are 3/4 of the way around the island circle route, I'd say just keep going. It would be longer to turn around and head back.

There are approximately five different segments of road equalling six miles of unpaved gravel along the last stretch, sometimes narrowing to one lane, sometimes needing to manover to let cars past, no big deal, it is safe and great fun. We did not have to sign any rental car waiver.

My recommendations would be;

Stay overnight in Hana. This trip has so much to offer and you definately have to stop lots of times to see the sights if that is your thing.

At Oheo Gulch, after hiking to the Seven Sacred Pools and swimming, you should cross the highway and take the trail past the bamboo forest to the waterfalls. Ask the park ranger for details before leaving. It is uphill all the way but the good news is it is downhill coming back (duh).

Rent a convertible. Maui was created for convertibles. Ask for the best deal, you can haggle.

Take water, food, rain gear, etc as previously mentioned, good idea.

Get a copy of Maui Revealed. Have a great time.

I am! How did you know? :)

Staying overnight in Hana is an excellent idea. We have rented some awesome cottages there twice now. We had an oceanview cottage near Kipahulu in '05 and an oceanfront cottage in Hana proper in '06. We had three nights each on these two stays and it allowed us to explore in much detail the wonders of this amazing coast. This is something you CANNOT do via a day-trip from the other side of the island.

As far as the drive goes, as others have said, it is doable. Some rental companies will explicitly deny their approval to drive all around the island. Read the exclusions on your rental contract.

Just after the Oct. '06 earthquake, the road near Kaupo was closed due to rockslide possibility. I'm not sure if the have finished inspecting the cliffs. Additionally, one of the bridges near 'Oheo was damaged and then closed. We here just 3 days after the quake and crossed this very bridge several times. They closed it sometime after we left. :o

To see the unpaved condition of the road and just how narrow it is, I have many photos in five Travelogues on my Hana page. Or, if you like, you can view my video slideshow here:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=77UJwY5X5-c

That slideshow contains over 115 photos and several video segments taken on those two trips and covers many of the places between Ho'okipa Beach and Kaupo (reference a map).

You will not be disappointed in choosing to stay on this side of the island.

Have a greta trip and be sure to post plenty of photos.

A hui hou aku!