Watch. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It looks damn amazing. This trail requires good shoes with traction and some endurance. It certainly looks breathtakingly beautiful, unspoiled, and uncrowded but, I go to Maui to relax so, this road is not for me! I panicked for a moment as I wondered if it was even possible to back up if I did meet a car. On our trip to Hana, and beyond to Kipahulu, we drove back to West Maui on Piilani Highway. I guess if you like this sort of thing, it would be terrific because the terrain and views and everything else is wonderful.But the road is simply too dangerous for most of us and takes away from the beauty of the surroundings. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Makes the road to Hana look like child's play. I am glad I did. Be careful because the water hits full force if you want to get closer.The rocks are very slippery. Youll understand once you do it. Its a great way to end or start your road trip on the Kahekili Highway! If youre up for some beach time, be sure to bring your lightweight beach towel and reef-safe mineral sunscreen to protect Hawaiis ocean life. With my vacation coming to an end it was my last chance to say I drove around the whoe island so I took the plunge and went. 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. Sounds like a good quest for your next trip. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. Driving time without stops is about 2 hours. My family hiked this with hiking shoes and trekking poles, which I recommend, especially if its recently rained. And we lived to tell the story. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. As one of the most picturesque drives in the world, the Hana Highway is filled with volcanic sights, cascading waterfalls, and incredible beaches. C'est magnifique. All I can say is that I drove it by myself, I enjoyed it, and Im alive. Posted on Published: June 17, 2022- Last updated: June 23, 2022. The Ohai Loop Trail is an excellent short hike on the north side of West Maui. I had also heard about the Nakalele Blowhole (near mile marker 38), but I wasnt too sure where it was. The community of Kahakuloa Village is one of the most isolated spots in Maui. Affiliate Disclaimer. However, a greater part of this area is part of the West Maui Natural Area Reserveand there are some public spots worth exploring! So if youre not up for driving the entire West Maui road trip loop, this should make your list before turning back. Learn more Take the 'path less-traveled' on this scenic exploration of the famous road to Hana But the views are breathtaking. I did see this adorable church. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! Answer 1 of 55: We are leaving soon on our 2nd visit to Maui & we are interested in trying to take the Kahekili Hwy across the northshore of Maui. Kahekili Highway Maui is just more remote and has far less traffic. Its located on the side of the road right before you pass the Puu Koae. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
. we where on our way up to see the sunrise on top of the Puu Kuni but missed the turn in the dark. As other reviewers have noted, this road does make the Road to Hana seem like child's play. I love your photos, especially the blue sea and sky. The Scenic Route from West Maui to Central or Upcountry Maui: The Kahekili Highway The usual road from west Maui to Wailuku is the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy. If you take a car rental on the road you will be responsible for any break-downs or accidents, just fyi. We love to stop at the church at Honokahua (maybe the praying helps us enjoy the rest of the trip..hee hee). So, its a good idea to stop, buy something local to support small businesses, and stretch your legs. Just be careful on the bends, they're blind and other drivers come out of nowhere. I know it will take us most of the day! Thanks for sharing. The water coming out of the hole also has a strong breeze, so be careful. 1759 to 1779 - Kalani'opu'u of the Big Island captured and held power over Hana. Make sure you are not violating the contract of your rental car. Again, no trespassing just for a photo! Your email address will not be published. From here, don't look for big parking lots or signs, there are none. Dont play loud music you will want to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic (see above). Beautiful images are easy in a scenic spot like Maui! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Many of the positive reviews here are obviously from travelers that were going clock wise from Lahaina down. There is an excellent viewpoint of the cliffs. And yes, we did (unfortunately) run into this situation! Frankly, I don't get all the negative reviews and the danger they mention. Sometime in the early 1780's Hana was besieged by King Kahekili in a surprise attack. I have drove dune buggy trails in the Utah canyon lands, mountain roads in Colorado, apachie trail in Arizona and mountain roads in North Carolina. This route requires more driving skills than Road to Hana. Tread lightly in this area and as always respect private property. Many areas around Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 areprivately owned and not accessible by tourists. For those that know the road and know what to expect, its not bad. He climbed this hill and jumped into the ocean below. Speed limits are usually 15 mph or slower. I enjoy road trips and with its hair pin bends and turns, it does sound like an exciting one. The water level fluctuates depending on the weather of the previous days, with waves filling the small cavities more or less. I havent seen many pictures of the inside, but its so pretty. Yes, its a beautiful no, stunning stretch of road along northwest Maui. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. Its not just about the driving, its also about what you can stop and see along the way that is virtually tourist-free. Its common, especially with children. This is one of the most exciting attractions of the Kahekili Highway. It isnt easy to decide which road is better. Honolua Bay and Honolua Park at Kahekili Highway. 4 sourbeer51 2 days ago Ive never heard of such a thing. I did the road to Hana but never heard of Kahekili Highway. I honestly cannot tell you where it was, because I was too busy fearing for my life! Its perfection, really! If you are less experienced in driving on mountain serpentines, we also suggest you give up this route. However, this highway along Maui's North shore was no Road to Hana, because it was 10 times better than the Road to Hana. 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). Oh Lord, please, please, please dont let me meet another car on this road. I thought to myself as I drove like a 90 year old man. Thanks everyone. I was excited and scared at the same time. The road conditions were quite good, unlike some of the southern sections of the road to Hana near Kaupo. On Girl, Christy wants to be married at that church you photographed. Kahekili Highway (Hawaii State Highway 340) runs north and south from Kahului through the small town of Waihee-Waiehu, flanked by the beauty of the West Maui Natural Area Reserve to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east, on its way to Kahakuloa Village, one of the most isolated spots on Maui. And given this stretch of highway has deep cliffs that dive straight into the water, the name is certainly fitting! Kahekili Highway vs Road to Hana which is better? What a surprise! Answer 11 of 55: We are leaving soon on our 2nd visit to Maui & we are interested in trying to take the Kahekili Hwy across the northshore of Maui. And some car rental contracts still prohibit driving on it. But you need at least 4-5 hours to enjoy the scenery and see the highlights on the Kahekili Highway. Best banana bread on the planet from a roadside stand. Ha! When I travel, I find the cheapest rental car rates at RentalCars.com. I have yet to travel there, but this route is incredible. I sure would love to stop by and take in those landscapes for myself -especially the blowhole. This is one of the most beautiful bays on the west coast of Maui. Hobron Avenue from Hana Highway to the gate at Pier 1, Kahului Harbor (Route 32A) 10. Glad you found this post helpful and inspiring. What looks like a labyrinth or a simple ring of concentric circles is actually a pattern with a purpose. Kahekili Highway is different from the Road to Hana. The trail is stunning and one of my favorite things to do in Maui! Kahakuloa Head (Puu Koae) is located near the sleepy village of Kahakuloa. I also cannot recommend enough starting your Road to Hana drive early so you can safely explore and take in the scenery on the way home. We love to hike and I think we would really enjoy the Ohai Loop Trail. The water can push over the natural pools wall and when it recedes it can pull you overboard and into the ocean. Ended up at Slaughterhouse Beach for a fantastic sunset and I foolishly decided to just keep going. The hike passes several eroded rocks along the sea cliffs. I loved the Kahekili highway and nearby places. Or are you thinking the Road to Hana is a better alternative for you? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Oh, and the roads are still very narrow the next 5 miles or so. I read about the road and of what I understand, il seems to be a very beautifull road to discover if we're carefull and we take our time. Road closures in place for King's Runner 10k in Honolulu The waves were tumultuous as they rolled in sets crashing into the rocks sending sea spray everywhere it was here where you felt the wrath of Mother Nature. Pro tip: hike the Ohai Loop Trail in a counter-clockwise position for the best views! This post contains some affiliate links. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Please take this into account. Copyright 2022 | Inspired Routes | All Rights Reserved, Nakalele Blowhole via Acid War Zone Trail, Road to Hana is much longer of a road trip at least 1 full day or better with 2 days, Road to Hana has more activities and public stops, Road to Hana has more beaches if you want to go for swimming, Road to Hana has tours and more food options. Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. Finally before coming down the Kahekili highway into Waihee I passed a number of little fruit and artist stands. Along the way, there are a few places where you can snack, but they are not always open. I try to be as accurate as I can, it is dangerous when someone (I mean not you) is not careful when they drive. . There's no doubt that Kahekili Highway is the most dangerous road in the US. It is 21 miles of stress. I asked her about what it was like to live so remotely out here. Privacy Policy. I was in this area a couple of times but always took the more sane road back to the Piai area, but not this time. I took a photo from the road because Im not sure if its public access or not. I was thrilled when we got back to 2 lanes. Immediately north of Dragons Teeth, you will notice a large stone circle. Just after mile marker 16, watch for rainbow eucalyptus trees. more. And because of this, the increased congestion on the roads, combined with visitors disobeying posted no parking signs, creates traffic jams and slow moving traffic. There are sheer cliffs with 100 ft + drops in some of the areas without guardrails! It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. Know what you are getting into first- maybe have a Jeep or a small SUV. One of the most picturesque bays in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is stunning! 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. It is narrow, one lane, steep, winding and scenic. Its a fun drive with some areas of danger and not an easy one but an experience for those who like danger and challenges. As the nickname suggests, the lava rocks resemble the mouth of a dragon. The road had a fresh coat of asphalt and brightly colored lines. Oh, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock. When I took his highway 2 years ago I was with 3 young ladies. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. But some people like a little scary. She drove it one time and said never, ever again! Be on the lookout. The Kahekili Highway in the northwest of Maui fro. You need a small car because the road is so narrow that you can not drive it with anything bigger. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Be sure to stop in the village and rest for a while. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. King Kahekili was king on Maui in the mid-1700s. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. Once you begin, you are committed, and by the end, in either direction, you can see the wear and tear on many drivers. ENJOY THIS AWESOME ROAD!!! Amazing! I knew you had to hike to it, and luckily at one of my roadside stops for a picture, I met a guy from Wisconsin who knew where it was. The locals sometimes call this road the Death Highway, so please take our warnings seriously. The road is not lit, and many sections do not even have reflectors. When I did it there were no restrictions with the rental car. Thus, you can admire the sharp, jagged prongs that rise high into the air. It is narrower that Hana Highway and similar in many ways. There are no guard rails in many areas. The Road to Hana or Hana Highway is the highlight of Maui for many visitors. It is no prettier than what you already saw. We had to back up once when we met a car because there was not enough room for two cars to pass each other. Its somewhere around this point that the road gets unbelievably narrow. This is the real deal and you must be comfortable driving on this type of narrow road with big drop offs, and no help for miles. Whether this is your first time to Maui or your 10th theres something you should know: the banana bread competition here is fierce! I stopped to buy some jam and chatted with the woman who lived there. 30), which runs along the coast and then turns inland at Maalaea. I'm Nikki. But if this is you - go for it, but slowly, covering the brakes around every turn, and looking ahead to pull out if a car is approaching from across the valley. The Road to Hana has unique attractions like the black sand beach (Honokalani Beach within the Waianapanapa State Park) and more waterfalls. Its hazardous. Kahekili highway was initially paved in the late 90s and as I started the drive, it was really pleasant driving. Keep in mind you are only going 10-15 miles an hour, plenty of time to brake, the only bad thing is the driver (Me) was not able to take in the sights since my focus was mainly on the road most of the trip, which trust me was still awesome on a Harley. The Road to Hana is about 52 miles from Kahului. This is my favorite reef-safe sunscreen I used in Maui and it worked great! And after you have the pleasure of almost diving into the Pacific, enjoy the endless trek through what I can only describe as the hilliest desert on planet Earth. While the road to Hana is certainly an experience with the one lane bridges (that have warning signs) and many sharp turns, it is no where near as intense as a journey around Maui's West coast on the Kahekili Hwy.