Required fields are marked *. Dec 20, 2015 - Take the road less traveled and find out why the Kahekili Highway is better than driving the Road to Hana in Maui. 132 Culvert, located on Makani Road between Apana Road and Kaupea Street. Find this post helpful? When my family and I got back to Ka'anapali to grab dinner (we didn't find anything edible for breakfast or lunch on the Kahekili Hwy, shocker), we couldn't even eat it we were so strung out from the drive. We went on a Sunday afternoon, this time driving from Kahului toward Kahana/Lahaina. But if youre confident (and safe) while driving, the Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 road trip might just be for you! We love to hike and I think we would really enjoy the Ohai Loop Trail. Located at mile marker 38.5 on the Honoapiilani Highway (Highway 30), this is one of the last things you can see on the road before it drops down to one lane. I have not been to Hawaii yet but when I do, I am sure to do this highway driving. If you find the secret beach let me know! Undoubtedly, the Kahekili Highway is more challenging, dangerous, strenuous, wilder, and less touristy than the Road to Hana. The icons on the map are some of the recommended stops and things to do while taking a road trip along part of the Kahekili Highway. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. Related read: 20 Things to Do in Maui on a Budget. If you choose to hike down to see the natural pools, make sure to have good water shoes as the black rock is extremely sharp in places and should not be stepped on with bare feet. Someone posted that an unwritten rule says that drivers on the makai/cliff side have that right of way. Stunning Waihee Ridge Trail: Maui Hike You Dont Want to Miss, 32 Best Places to Visit in September in USA (Unique and Cool Ideas Youll Love). I would drive Hana in a heart beat over this any day. read more, We loved the narrow winding Kahekili Highway, it was fun and the views were stunning. I am a two lane kinda girl. Note: Bridges in italics belong to the County of Maui. Hana Highway, also known as the Road to Hana, runs for more than 64 miles along state Highways 360 and 36, connecting Hana in east Maui with Kahului. Most rental car companies tell you not to drive this route as it can be extremely dangerous. Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport, View all hotels near Kahekili Highway on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Kahekili Highway on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Haleakala Highway (Crater Road), Hotels near Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Hana Highway - Road to Hana: Tickets & Tours, Haleakala Highway (Crater Road): Tickets & Tours, Coral Island Half-day Tour from Pattaya including Lunch, Punta Cana (PUJ) TRANSFER to FINEST PUNTA CANA EXCELLENCE COLLECTION ROUND TRIP, Traditional Private Geisha Experience/Dinner Show in Tokyo, Fukagawa District, Kauai's Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure, Spanish Flamenco Show in Puerto de la Cruz. If you take a car rental on the road you will be responsible for any break-downs or accidents, just fyi. Thus, you can admire the sharp, jagged prongs that rise high into the air. New weight limit 15 tons. Before you head down Kahekili Highway to Waihee, youll pass several small fruit and artist stalls. Loved the post, Well, it was tough to take a call between the two roads until I saw the stops you made. Why Kahekili Highway Is Better Than the Road to Hana, Its Not as Well Traveled as the Road To Hana, Experience the Powerful Nakalele Blowhole, Experience the Ranch Land and Kahakuloa Head, Visit Fruit Stands That Dont Get Much Business, Maui Surf Lessons: Becoming a Gnarly Surfer Girl. What an interesting drive. It is what we call the road to Hana today. If you want to snorkel, dont forget to pack a Snorkel Set, and Quick-Drying Towel, and check out this detailed guide to the best diving spots in Honolua Bay. This route requires more driving skills than Road to Hana. Enjoy! Honolua means two harbors in Hawaiian, and this bay has historically been used by Honolua Ranch to accommodate deliveries and shipping products. The drive along the Kahekili Highway looks just like my kind of ride. If youre up for some swimming and surfing, this is your spot! The council committee heard testimony from more than 40 individuals on Tuesday. The interesting part starts when leaving Keokea. Scooters would be much much better!!!!! Wow! I did see this adorable church. Please respect the locals and their private land. Beautiful images are easy in a scenic spot like Maui! The spray felt refreshing, but of course I had stupidly left my LensCoat raingear for my camera back in the car since it certainly wasnt rainy weather, but down by the blowhole it was pretty easy to get drenched. Although the addresses here are technically Wailuku, this small village is a cluster of a few homes and businesses in the most picturesque valley on earth.. She stated the road was repaired and is a great drive. There youll find amazing rock formations. The county reported the road open at about 1:15 p.m. Around 8 a.m., police reported that Kahekili Highway in the area of Mile Marker 7 was impassible due to flooding. Youre reaching the point where the Honoapiilani Highway/Maui Highway 340 and Kahekili Highway merge. Stop only in designated areas. Incredibly disappointing, sickening, mi-ser-a-ble day. But since youre probably not here to read about all the things to do in Kaanapali or Lahaina, so lets start north of the ultra-touristy spots and work our way around. One of the most picturesque bays in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is stunning! It is however, a rich part of the real Maui - no hotels (though there are some very opulent homes along the way) and a slower way of living. Well, thats a wrap! The locals who live along the road are rightfully frustrated. It's dangerous! TURN AROUND. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Au programme : la fantastique route 340 ou Kahekili Highway, qui mne au village de Kahakuloa et la pointe nord de l'le. If youre wanting to make this stop quick or are traveling with young kids, just going to the overlook is adequate. So bring a pair of binoculars. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. But did you get to stop by and view the views? Save it for later or share it on social media! what route whould we take? It traverses a remote area in Maui. Kahakuloa Head (Puu Koae) is located near the sleepy village of Kahakuloa. MISERABLE; thought I was going to die every time I saw a cross driven into the dirt inches before a steep, possibly 100+ foot drop into the ocean. Not easy with a passenger on the back, love you Rose :). So as you travel the road to Hana keep in mind that this area was the cornerstone of an ancient struggle to control all of the Hawaiian group of islands. Youll start to see undisturbed beaches with rocky shores. My adrenaline was pumping from a combination of the picture perfect views and the possibility of meeting another oncoming car on the narrow cliff all the time. Just sayin. It is narrow, one lane, steep, winding and scenic. It's scary! Not for the faint of heart. I was on top of a rocky cliff and could see for miles as little clouds that looked like cotton balls dotted the sky. Drive slowly. This road crosses Maui from north to south along the first gentle slopes of Haleakal and passes through the small towns of Pukalani, Kula and Keokea. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. People have been killed as they get sucked back into the hole by the retreating water at this and other blowholes in Hawaii.. Best banana bread on the planet from a roadside stand. Its hazardous. We got a later start than we'd anticipated but still ended up taking this highway less traveled. My Wife (Rose) and I rented a Harley and drove on this road back in 2011, I was 49 years old then, what a Great ExperienceWe went the same route from West to North (Mauis Head), (The recommended route since cliffs are on your right instead of the ocean also it was easier with the motorcycle to find places in the cliffs to squeeze our bike in for passing traffic. People were not yielding properly, i was a nervous wreck, route went from 2 hrs for 22 miles to 3 hrs and we were only a third of the way through, we ended up turning around and going back to the RT 30 and were back to the resort before the last updated time for route 340. An SUV is not required. Never Again. Today. I need relatively calm with easy entry. But like the Road to Hana, there are so many fantastic things to see, do and eat along the way, from eccentric art galleries to panoramic views and hiking trails to truly exceptional banana bread. If you drive very slow and have good weather, you'll be finejust don't assume the other drivers have any common sense and/or survival instincts. Find the trailhead for the Ohai Trail between mile markers 40 and 41. This drive is absolutely gorgeous and unexpectedly thrilling! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Cool! Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. We want to drive the mountain side, so safer side should be that i am guessing, not very confident about the ocean side None of them compare to the intense ride (both shear fright and beauty) that this road provides. The road to Hana is one of Maui's two most famous sights. Its early in your trip, but every great road trip includes awesome food. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. The Hana Highway (HI-360) has 620 curves and 59 bridges. I would love to travel here some day and enjoy the blowhole and the views. Highlights include several swimming stops, panoramic views from Keanae peninsula, and glimpses of Haleakala volcano. All of the negative reviews focus on the portion of road roughly between the Nakalele Blowhole and Waihee. You will not see any change on the road which is for the moment beautiful, wide, not very winding and lined with a few shrubs. Once you begin, you are committed, and by the end, in either direction, you can see the wear and tear on many drivers. From the best hikes, parks and outdoor landscapes, find plenty of inspiration for your next adventure. My adrenaline was pumping from a combination of the picture perfect views and the possibility of meeting another oncoming car on the narrow cliff. Theres not really many overlooks so just sit back, relax and soak in the sights as you drive these curvy roads. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What even is this incredible road with such stunning natural beauty!? The Kahekili Highway in the . There is a hiking trail to the blowhole if youre up for the adventure! The blowhole is located in the lava shelf and can reach over 100 feet high when air and water are forced up through the hole, causing a geyser-like effect. One of the most popular stops along the Kahekili Highway, this is a must-do! The road conditions were quite good, unlike some of the southern sections of the road to Hana near Kaupo. Ha! Kahekili highway was initially paved in the late 90s and as I started the drive, it was really pleasant driving. It may save your life, Happy trails to you, Sherry Ott, and may you never give poor advice to anyone again. This post contains some affiliate links. However, if its done safely, this can be one of the most unique and memorable experiences youll have in the Hawaiian islands. Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. Thanks for your thoughts Chad. It stretches 21.5 miles from Kapalua to Wailuku in western Maui. I stopped to buy some jam and chatted with the woman who lived there. Just after mile marker 16, watch for rainbow eucalyptus trees. Oh, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock. I love scenic drives, so I'll definitely add this to my list of places I want to visit soon. I would never do it again. Kahekili Highway vs Road to Hana which is better? Wish I read this beforehand but you nailed the description of that drive. It is 21 miles of stress. Youll see many warning signs along the road. As the nickname suggests, the lava rocks resemble the mouth of a dragon. It is Kahekili Highway, a hidden gem of Maui. Shutterstock Visitors to Maui will be charmed by a beautiful drive along the Hana Highway that offers some of the most spectacular sights on the Hawaiian Islands. You can see them for miles along the coast, but as you drive the Kahekili Highway, youll get closer and eventually pass them. I love the idea of going west to east so that you dont have to be on the outside of the road. We went counter clockwise and saw the blowhole from a distance, so beautiful! Finally before coming down the Kahekili highway into Waihee I passed a number of little fruit and artist stands. The Kahekili Highway provides incredible views of Maui, but travelers must be wary of the risk and challenges associated with driving this highway first and plan accordingly. But you need at least 4-5 hours to enjoy the scenery and see the highlights on the Kahekili Highway. 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