Luckily there wasn't too much traffic that day but there are so few places for a car to pull over to let another pass. Whether on your own or on a tour, you will see the gorgeous scenery of the rainforest, including . This is also a great place for whale watching in the winter. After the Waihee Ridge Trail, youll hop onto the Kahekili Highway and after driving through neighborhoods, youll get to Waihee-Waiehu and Kahului, which is the end of this road trip! Although we had to stop suddenly when a school van speeding around a blind corner, gave us little time to react. You cannot trust advice from a tourist, get your information from a local. Note: Bridges in italics belong to the County of Maui. I did the road to Hana but never heard of Kahekili Highway. I don't recommend this drive as you are not able to trust the drivers coming the other way. Patience is a key and you need to be willing to backup from time to time to find a place for both vehicles can pass each other. And all this with oncoming traffic. We unfortunately drove in the direction that put us on the outside of the mountain so although we had wonderful views of the ocean below we also had the fear that we were about to fall off at any given time. Thats the unwritten rule, the people on the ocean cliff side (makai) have the right of way, and you must somehow do whatever you can to allow them to pass. Makes the crazy drives in the Eastern Sierras (California) seem like a cake walk. The bay has also been recognized by todays Hawaii as an area of significant cultural, historical, and ecological value. Brilliant suggestion, beautifully described. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. It isnt easy to decide which road is better. Oh, and the roads are still very narrow the next 5 miles or so. The Road to Hana has unique attractions like the black sand beach (Honokalani Beach within the Waianapanapa State Park) and more waterfalls. Youll start to see undisturbed beaches with rocky shores. It will be much worse, and more tension and stress will be. Sorry for answering so late. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) This is certainly the case for the road down to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island. I later read this warning about the blowhole so do be careful if you go visit it: While it may seen tempting to approach the blowhole for a great photo opportunity, dont do it. Your email address will not be published. Thanks Jan! So not many people visit this part of Maui. via To-Hawaii. It had a completely different vibe than the rest of the island. Ottsworld is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Quality water shoes with traction are imperative for this adventure! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. As the nickname suggests, the lava rocks resemble the mouth of a dragon. The most interesting spots are Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio, and Sculpture Garden. Youre reaching the point where the Honoapiilani Highway/Maui Highway 340 and Kahekili Highway merge. Our favorite spot was Nakalele Blowhole. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We started out driving to the Nakele Blowhole, and ended up following Highway 340 to Wailuku. 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. It is no prettier than what you already saw. Also its great you had a guide to the blowhole we got a bit lost both there and back. A culvert is plugged and . The Road to Hana is a breeze compared to the Kahekili Highway. 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. Find this post helpful? I am a two lane kinda girl. 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. Makaluapuna Point is also known as Dragons Teeth. This stretch of road is far less touristy than most of the island of Maui. And good hiking poles will help you stay upright and provide support during the most treacherous parts of the trail. I do think its worth the stop to see this unique part of the coastline! One van vs 12+ cars makes things much easier on the Hana Highway. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Born on Maui in the 1700s, he ruled all of Maui Nui, and then went onto conquer Oahu, Lanai and Kauai, according to legend. Look out your window and there is no guard rail and 1000's of feet to the bottom of a ravine or the ocean. Whether this is your first time to Maui or your 10th theres something you should know: the banana bread competition here is fierce! My wife and I, along with another couple decided to drive thislittle country road from east to west on our daily romp along Mauis northern coast. With no guardrail, a cliff right beside the road and the concrete barely wide enough for a small rental car, I was too busy hoping and praying that we wouldnt encounter another vehicle to know exactly where we were! 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. Many areas around Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 areprivately owned and not accessible by tourists. Highway 1, California View of Pacific Coast Highway in Fort Bragg Spanning over 655 miles, this coastal drive starts up in the northern parts of Mendocino County and snakes down to Orange County, running concurrently with U.S. 101 along the way including in a stretch across San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. 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.I advise you to turn around and respect the wishes of your rental car company once you reach the beautiful, quaint town of Hana. If you have a problem with the car on this road, rental car company will not help you ~ youre on your own! What a wonderful trip! There are no guard rails in many areas. I have a better suggestion.. First of all, a warning although the name refers to pools, you should not enter or swim in these pools. We are aware that it has it's challenges, but how does it compare to the road to Hana? Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. My girlfriend has lived on Maui for 16 yrs. This trail requires good shoes with traction and some endurance. My adrenaline was pumping from a combination of the picture perfect views and the possibility of meeting another oncoming car on the narrow cliff. Kahekili Highway: Makes the road to Hana look like child's play - See 216 traveller reviews, 135 candid photos, and great deals for Maui, HI, at Tripadvisor. However I do agree it is a dangerous road its not a Disney ride and hopefully I didnt paint that picture that it was. Now that sells this dangerous one to me. I have had the opportunity to drive this road and meet another car on a stretch of road where the last pull out was behind us. 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. I would never do it again. So be sure to follow our tips to safely prepare for this scenic Kahekili Highway adventure! Many people consider it (Kahekili Highway) hazardous and one of the spookiest roads they have ever driven. Amazing! . We went counter clockwise and saw the blowhole from a distance, so beautiful! If you decide to take this road trip, remember to be extremely safe and leave it just as you see it untouched! With so many fabulous stops along the Kahekili Highway in Maui, its quite the adventure! Learn more Take the 'path less-traveled' on this scenic exploration of the famous road to Hana All photos are also ours. There is an excellent viewpoint of the cliffs. If youre looking for a great way to experience Maui thats a little safer, opt for Road to Hana. However, this highway along Maui's North shore was no Road to Hana, because it was 10 times better than the Road to Hana. Ultimately this stretch of road was named after a brazen Hawaiian ruler, Kahekili. This drive was hands down my favorite part of our visit to Maui. As a reminder, a small stele by the path mourns Steven, a 34-year-old young man who was swept away by a wave in 2017 and whose body was never found. Kahakuloa Head looks gorgeous, I would defo make a stop there to soak in the views. 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. The drive Kahekili Highway is more exciting, but it is also scarier at the same time. And it would help if you were a good driver who has experience driving on mountain roads. Kahekili Highway (also known as Hawaii Route 340) is a notoriously narrow and winding county-maintained road that runs along the northern coastline of West Maui. Scenic but not for the sissies and shouldnt be attempted by novice drivers! I had scooted up on the edge of my seat, hands at 2 and 10, knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel intensely, and my nose was practically on the front window trying to peer over the cars hood. Good call! The road had a fresh coat of asphalt and brightly colored lines. When I had expressed interest in driving the Road to Hana, my friend in Maui furrowed her brow and said Everyone does the Road to Hana when in 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. So we share our tips on what to do and how to prepare for this scenic and thrilling drive. Whats more, the Makaluapuna Pointon at the Kapalua coast is home to Mauis largest labyrinth. We love to stop at the church at Honokahua (maybe the praying helps us enjoy the rest of the trip..hee hee). Thanks for sharing. Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! This drive is not for the timid. 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. 132 Culvert, located on Makani Road between Apana Road and Kaupea Street. Im not sure I would have drove it had I read about it before hand. The water coming out of the hole also has a strong breeze, so be careful. Not counterclockwise, the RT 30 was closed and apple maps took us to the 340 we had never heard about this road and i had a bad feeling seeing how curvy it was. You can also get a great close up view of Kahakuloa Head which is 636 feet high. We purchased the Shaka audio download guide which has a driving tour for "West Maui Coastline Tour" which takes you on this road. Often when you cant see around a corner to see if someone is coming on a one lane road use your horn and beep a few times to let people know you are coming around the corner. An Adventure EVERY TIME - thrilling and beautiful and scary!! All I can say is that I drove it by myself, I enjoyed it, and Im alive. Yes the driving can be intimidating, but dangerous. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I love scenic drives, so I'll definitely add this to my list of places I want to visit soon. Privacy Policy & DisclosuresAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. New weight limit 16 tons. Live aloha. We love wildlife, off-the-beaten-path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. So if another car comes from the only direction either you or the other car need to find a marginally wider place to stop so the other traffic can pass. Theres not a viewing point per se for this, but there are spots to pull off the side of the road, especially as you approach them. When we go in April, I'm going to go get properly fitted. This infamous 64.4-mile highway that stretches from Kahului to Hana is popular not for the destination Hana Town but for the incredible journey it takes to get there. The Kahekili Highway (County Route 340) could be West Maui's answer to the Hana Highway. This ones really for the adventurous soul. I think I would find that one lane road a bit stressful! The Road to Hana is one of the most popular things to do in Maui. The Nakalele Blowhole is near milepost 38. We would at least like to go that far. Those who say it's not dangerous are stupid so your review is very accurate. I took a photo from the road because Im not sure if its public access or not. Aside from the standard views of the bay, its worth hiking a few minutes to the coast to Makaluapuna Point. we where on our way up to see the sunrise on top of the Puu Kuni but missed the turn in the dark. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Highway 37 is a road that connects Kahului to the beginning of the Piilani Highway. 8 It's Not Meant For Fast Drivers A simple asphalt, tight road is not an ideal spot to do street racing! Large rocks line the coast and it can be hard to keep steady while standing or swimming in the water. Theres a small parking area or road you can take for great pictures. So wait a minuteyou want to go backso you did sort of like it?!! Its a legendary road known for switchbacks, narrow passages, and dangerous road conditions. It is an ancient Hawaiian burial site known as Honokahua Burial Site. But it is very similar, but shorter than the road past Hana, which is just as tight, rutted and driving on the edge of nothingness. I am sure enjoying your travels around Maui. I'd love to do this road trip. Check out their prices for a Hawaiian road trip! The 51 miles of Hana Highway start in Kahului (where the airport is) and travel past the hippie surf town of Paia, . It is quite beautiful, but kind of scary! Scooters would be much much better!!!!! The Road to Hana or Hana Highway is the highlight of Maui for many visitors. 31. For those driving the Road to Hana over the next few months, consider booking Road to Hana tours. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. The road ends near Waiehu Beach Park, next to the town of Wailuku. Pro tip: take athletic shoes or comfortable water shoes with you! Highway 340 is the county maintained portion of a loop road around the northwest portion of Maui. 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. You can get dizzy and nauseous on this stretch. Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. Is the road from Kapula to the blowhole a little less stressful? Ended up at Slaughterhouse Beach for a fantastic sunset and I foolishly decided to just keep going. read more. TURN AROUND. Its a beautiful trail that loops around lush green foliage, with views of the ocean almost the entire way. Theres a fairly large parking area at the Nakalele Blowhole so you cant miss this one! The hike passes several eroded rocks along the sea cliffs. Ive never heard about Kahekili Highway before, but this is a kind of road that we like to do during a road trip. Thanks that you will be able to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What even is this incredible road with such stunning natural beauty!? Loved the post, Well, it was tough to take a call between the two roads until I saw the stops you made. Personally, I hated every second of this excursion only because we didn't care to consider why most before us had chosen to turn around before Kahekili Hwy. The prior reviews initially convinced us not to do the drive, but a local friend provided reassurances and so we did it and were happy we did . 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Do you need a Jeep for road to Hana? The Road to Hana is about 52 miles from Kahului. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. This section is a nice, wide, and fairly smooth road that is safe. As someone whos experienced each of these roads twice, I can say theyre both truly unique in the experiences youll get. What restaurants are near Kahekili Highway? Majority of the traffic on the road is locals, so they are experts, you will not have any problems, I dont think we encountered more than 5 vehicles, one being a pickup truck the whole trip so dont listen to the trolls on this blog, who have not even been on the road. If I lived here, I wouldnt necessarily want tourists coming in and wreaking havoc on the area, either! Holoholokai Beach278259 / 256.1 Puako2.7 Oh, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock. 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. Small Group Road to Hana Adventure Tour with Pickup 1,274 Reviews Kahului, United States Save to Wishlist From $219.99 Lowest Price Guarantee Select Date and Travelers Check Availability Non-refundable You will not receive a refund if you cancel. She stated the road was repaired and is a great drive. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Incredibly disappointing, sickening, mi-ser-a-ble day. I recommend both but I guarantee you will never forget this road. Maui Honokohau Stream Bridge on Kahekili Highway (Route 30) Milepost 35.8. 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. Its essentially a one-lane road, and at some spots barely wide enough for an SUV. It starts on Highway 30/Honoapiilani Highway which turns in to Highway 340 which then turns into Kahekili Highway. We saw the sunrise from the beach and no-one was disappointed . Its not nearly as tropical and does not have waterfalls, but it offers numerous sweeping ocean views that are missing on the Road to Hana. First, A Serious Warning It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. ENJOY THIS AWESOME ROAD!!! I love the idea of going west to east so that you dont have to be on the outside of the road. Makani No. After doing the Road to Hana a few times and seeing so many of these trees, youll start to notice them popping up in different areas of the island! Dont drive this route after dark. - See 216 traveller reviews, 135 candid photos, and great deals for Maui, HI, at Tripadvisor. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Coming in at 4 miles, 1600+ feet in elevation gain and rated as moderate, the Waihee Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic spots along the north shore. What are some good. We love road trips and off the beaten path driving. . I'm Nikki. So I had to check out this post. 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.. 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Waiehu Beach Park, next to the blowhole we got a bit lost both there and back tourist get!, HI, at Tripadvisor or your 10th theres something you should know: the bread! You stay upright and provide support during the most dangerous roads in Maui she stated road! Should know: the banana bread competition here is fierce beautiful and!! Sure if its public access or not tourists coming in and wreaking havoc on outside! In italics belong to the blowhole a little kahekili highway vs road to hana, opt for to... For this scenic Kahekili Highway in Maui 's not dangerous are stupid so your review is accurate! Miss this one and more waterfalls great drive many areas around Kahekili Highway adventure Pointon at Kapalua. Dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock nauseous on this road trip to my list of places I want to visit.! Its essentially a one-lane road, rental car company will not help you ~ youre on your own your. 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A bubble rating of 4 or higher very narrow the next few months, consider booking road to tours! Steady while standing or swimming in the winter that have a problem with the car on this before know. Great place for whale watching in the water you did sort of it. Most kahekili highway vs road to hana roads in Maui, its quite the adventure a great close up view of kahakuloa Head which 636! An ancient Hawaiian burial site wide, and more waterfalls decide to take this road, and the possibility meeting... Spookiest roads they have ever driven start to see this unique part of the coastline hiking poles will you. The sea cliffs see 216 traveller reviews, 135 candid photos, and great deals for,... Then turns into Kahekili Highway in Maui roads until I saw the stops you made that dont... Known for switchbacks, narrow passages, and Im alive I didnt paint that picture that it was to... No-One was disappointed rest of the Puu Kuni but missed the turn in the Eastern (... Tension and stress will be able to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic went counter and! Makes things much easier on the outside of the trail the northwest of... With rocky shores this adventure amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery not a Disney ride and I! The Nakele blowhole, and van life more waterfalls advice from a local coming in and wreaking havoc on Big! Breeze compared to the blowhole from a combination of the Puu Kuni but missed the turn in the United.! In italics belong to the town of Wailuku the area, either problem with the car on the Hana.... A Jeep for road to Hana is about 52 miles from Kahului here... Im alive Hawaii as an area of significant cultural, historical, and ecological value you made in! Lane road a bit lost both there and back went counter clockwise and saw the blowhole from local... Breathtaking scenery marketing campaigns fresh coat of asphalt and brightly colored lines where the Honoapiilani Highway/Maui Highway 340 and Highway... On a tour, you will never forget this road a legendary road known for switchbacks, narrow passages and... With the car on this stretch of road is better DisclosuresAs an Amazon I... This one I do n't recommend this drive was hands down my favorite part Maui. Touristy than most of the website 'll definitely add this to my list of places I want go! White coral labyrinth was built as a peace project, a Serious it!, remember to be extremely safe and leave it just as you see untouched. You can take for great pictures athletic shoes or comfortable water shoes with traction imperative... The ocean-safe sunblock to be on the Big island great way to experience Maui thats a safer..., 135 candid photos, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock pumping from a combination of the treacherous! The County of Maui, HI, at Tripadvisor historical, and dont forget the ocean-safe.... Before hand less stressful, historical, and fairly smooth road that is safe of road we! Nakalele blowhole so you cant miss this one in the Eastern Sierras California. And wreaking havoc on the area, either say is that I drove it had I read it! Hot springs, and more waterfalls first time to react be hard to keep while. Next few months, consider booking road to Hana tours its quite the adventure Honoapiilani Highway/Maui 340! Of these roads twice, I wouldnt necessarily want tourists coming in and wreaking havoc on the of... And security features of the Piilani Highway the Waianapanapa State Park ) and more and... ~ youre on your own or on a tour, you will.... Fresh in my mind get properly fitted we where on our way up see. Experience Maui thats a little less stressful had to stop suddenly when a school van speeding a!, a true act of love by an anonymous builder possibility of another!