See options All photos (135) Top ways to experience nearby attractions Road to Hana Day Trip 151 Recommended Full-day Tours from C$301.15 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Road to Hana Tour with Lunch and Pickup 307 Recommended Bus Tours from C$376.44 per adult As one of the most picturesque drives in the world, the Hana Highway is filled with volcanic sights, cascading waterfalls, and incredible beaches. Lots of interesting stops along the route. Nakalele Blowhole looks fun! Posted on Published: June 17, 2022- Last updated: June 23, 2022. All photos are also ours. Cows graze in the pastures, and the landscape is idyllic. Do not stop on the road to take just one photo. Its life-threatening. These are my favorite water shoes that travel with me every time I go to Hawaiior anywhere else for that matter! Hope everyone realizes that driving this road in a rental car, invalidates your rental contract. First, A Serious Warning There is an excellent viewpoint of the cliffs. The Kahekili Highway (County Route 340) could be West Maui's answer to the Hana Highway. It starts on Highway 30/Honoapiilani Highway which turns in to Highway 340 which then turns into Kahekili Highway. Its rather small and room for just a couple cars. 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. Recommended experiences in and around Maui. The gorgeous Maui waterfall is nestled amidst lush tropical foliage and cascades 80 ft in two streams, making it the most photographed waterfall on Maui. 360. We went on a Sunday afternoon, this time driving from Kahului toward Kahana/Lahaina. We got a later start than we'd anticipated but still ended up taking this highway less traveled. You can get thoroughly wet. What a wonderful trip! You can see the natural pools easily, and all along the coast. Note: Bridges in italics belong to the County of Maui. Its a great way to end or start your road trip on the Kahekili Highway! We saw the sunrise from the beach and no-one was disappointed . Your email address will not be published. If youre up for some swimming and surfing, this is your spot! He also dominated the ancient Hawaiian sport of lele kawa, which was essentially leaping from cliffs into the ocean without splashing. 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 youre up for some beach time, be sure to bring your lightweight beach towel and reef-safe mineral sunscreen to protect Hawaiis ocean life. But if youre confident (and safe) while driving, the Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 road trip might just be for you! This trail requires good shoes with traction and some endurance. Don't get me wrong - DO NOT DO IT IF you are a timid or nervous driver. Thanks Jan! You can also get a great close up view of Kahakuloa Head which is 636 feet high. I panicked for a moment as I wondered if it was even possible to back up if I did meet a car. Your email address will not be published. And bonus its one of the more affordable hotel booking tools out there. Its a thrilling drive one of the best in your lifetime! 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. In our. . 95% of travelers recommend this experience. This has got to be one of the most beautiful places to live on the planet! Contrary to prior reviews, there are plenty of pullouts if you plan ahead, and also, plenty of places to turn around if you change your mind By the by, doing the drive this way allows you to tack on the beautiful Iao Needle /Iao Valley on the far side, well worth a 30 min stop on the way by, or longer if you want to dip in the river Have fun! Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! It had a completely different vibe than the rest of the island. But some people like a little scary. The village of Hana was prepared to combat ocean invasions, but the wise . Hana Highway from Kaupakalua Road to Keawa Place at the centerline of drainage ditch before Hana Bay (Route 360) 8. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It is a special road to be sure lots of dips to catch air on too. so dont run out of gas and Definitely Do Not Drink while driving on this road, youngsters :). Its available to everyone, although only to be used with extreme caution. What restaurants are near Kahekili Highway? The road hugs the sea cliffs and is very narrow (often just one lane), with many blind curves and no guard rails. Large rocks line the coast and it can be hard to keep steady while standing or swimming in the water. Stop only in designated areas. You cannot trust advice from a tourist, get your information from a local. Make sure you wear comfortable, Pack a supply of water and snacks. Small natural pools are hidden at the bottom of the road, just a few feet from the ocean. Once you begin, you are committed, and by the end, in either direction, you can see the wear and tear on many drivers. It can be so peaceful and wild if you are lucky. 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. Be careful because the water hits full force if you want to get closer.The rocks are very slippery. From Lahaina to Wailuku via Kahekili Highway is only 36 miles. more. Your Maui posts are really very informative and create an urge to visit Maui soon. His bold approach to leadership warrior spirit made him well-known during his reign and for centuries after. 30), which runs along the coast and then turns inland at Maalaea. C'est magnifique. 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. This route requires more driving skills than Road to Hana. The rocky shoreline is a dangerous spot to be out of control, causing head trauma and/or drowning. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Tourists should not be allowed on this road. And after Ohai Trail, it will officially become Kahekili Highway until you reach Waihee-Waiehu. Youll see warning signs and a grave of a 17-year old who passed away at the site. Cool! One more note, at the Motorcycle rental in Kaanapali, they gave me a map for this road, is was not forbidden like car rental companies deem it. I took a photo from the road because Im not sure if its public access or not. The Hana Highway (HI-360) has 620 curves and 59 bridges. Its a great place to snorkel. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The drive Kahekili Highway is more exciting, but it is also scarier at the same time. Intense hairpin turns, blind corners, no guardrails, the possibility of falling rocks, only one very narrow lane, with steep drops of hundreds of feet down to the rocks and sea below. So we share our tips on what to do and how to prepare for this scenic and thrilling drive. These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site. Required fields are marked *. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Sherry, a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveler. 31. Kahekili Highway: Road to Hana on steroids! The most interesting spots are Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio, and Sculpture Garden. Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. The road climbed out of the village of Kahakuloa and into ranch country with wide vistas of green pastures. Do happy you took the drive as I think its SO much better than the road to Hana! It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. WTF. There are sheer cliffs with 100 ft + drops in some of the areas without guardrails! So bring a pair of binoculars. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. 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. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. 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. Kahakuloa Village is located near mile markers 14 and 15 on Kahekili Highway. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I need to go back. A 13h passes, on remonte dans la voiture. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! A culvert is plugged and . She runs an Airbnb and always tells her renters dont do it, just go as far as the blowhole and then turnaround. Keep our reefs and sea life safe by using the proper stuff. This is one of the most exciting attractions of the Kahekili Highway. This section is a nice, wide, and fairly smooth road that is safe. Youll start off on Highway 30/Honoapiilani Highway until just past Punalau Beach, when it becomes Highway 340 Maui. The West Maui Mountains are so scenic and gorgeous! I had also heard about the Nakalele Blowhole (near mile marker 38), but I wasnt too sure where it was. I rode this road with my ex-husband who had one hand on the steering wheel and one pointing out everything.. needless to say I was closed eyed crying the whole way lol.. The Hana Highway is perhaps the most beautiful highway in the world, but it can be deadly. For more info, see mydisclosures. Live aloha. It shouldn't be confused with Highway 30, which is the state maintained portion of the same route. Take your time, explore, and soak in the views and the people you meet along the way. The downhill traffic on the makai side ALWAYS yields to vehicles traveling uphill on the mauka side. Here are some additional tips to consider. Road to Hana Day Trip 154 Recommended Full-day Tours from $219.99 per adult Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup 896 Recommended Full-day Tours from $219.99 per adult Lahaina: Turtle Town Snorkel and Whale Watch (Dec-April Time Permitting) 120 from $89.95 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Great for you all thrill seeks. Theres a fairly large parking area at the Nakalele Blowhole so you cant miss this one! 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. There youll find amazing rock formations. JonnyFantastic 2 days ago Kahekili is more challenging than Hana, in my opinion, but then I drove it counterclockwise. ENJOY THIS AWESOME ROAD!!! It is believed that Kahakuloa Head was one of King Kahekilis favorite places to cliff jump. I love the idea of going west to east so that you dont have to be on the outside of the road. Quality water shoes with traction are imperative for this adventure! Hey! There are several food stands, a studio, a ranch and many hillside homes along the way. I can say I was freaking out a bit when we had to BACK down the road to get to turn out so they could pass us. I'd love to do this road trip. This is not for the faint of heart or anyone with a rental car that is concerned about violating their agreement. It may save your life, Happy trails to you, Sherry Ott, and may you never give poor advice to anyone again. It is narrow, one lane, steep, winding and scenic. I did see this adorable church. Don't Miss This Side of the Island Because of Bad Reviews! The roads were in as good a shape as could be expected for a windy, narrow road. 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. The way up is steep and unforgiving. Thats why the hill is known as Kahekilis Leap (just like Black Rock in Kaanapali). !Stunning shoot.The sky is looking like a roof that has no end.Loved it!!! We drove that road a few years back and loved it. 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! We love road trips and off the beaten path driving. Its perfection, really! Some say that Maui is the most beautiful island in Hawaii. What a trip!!! The first section begins in Kahului and takes the end of Highway 30, in the extension of Honoapiilani Highway. 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. Ha! However, this highway along Maui's North shore was no Road to Hana, because it was 10 times better than the Road to Hana. Head south from Kahului then curve west towards Lahaina, Kaanapali and follow it to Napili, or wherever you started! Its a great place to stretch your legs for a little while! 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 drive is not for the timid. So if youre not up for driving the entire West Maui road trip loop, this should make your list before turning back. So be sure to follow our tips to safely prepare for this scenic Kahekili Highway adventure! Yes, its a beautiful no, stunning stretch of road along northwest Maui. Plus, your guides will take you to approved, safe places. Not for the faint of heart. Its common, especially with children. And we lived to tell the story. And given this stretch of highway has deep cliffs that dive straight into the water, the name is certainly fitting! Cliffs that dive straight into the ocean in the views and the people you meet along the.. 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