We are headed to Maui soon. However, the views are breathtaking. The locals who live along the road are rightfully frustrated. Don't get me wrong - DO NOT DO IT IF you are a timid or nervous driver. It's time to book a trip! Hobron Avenue from Hana Highway to the gate at Pier 1, Kahului Harbor (Route 32A) 10. However, a big wave can come at any moment, and you will find yourself underwater. Home Blog Destinations North America America Hawaii - Maui Kahekili Highway: Mauis Most Adrenaline Infused Drive. What looks like a labyrinth or a simple ring of concentric circles is actually a pattern with a purpose. Be careful if you drive this highway. Most testifiers were in support of the affordable housing and highlighted the need for it. We love to stop at the church at Honokahua (maybe the praying helps us enjoy the rest of the trip..hee hee). On your way, you will see a sign explaining the history of the area. This drive is not recommended for the faint of heart, on rainy days or at nightfall. This stretch of road is far less touristy than most of the island of Maui. This is certainly the case for the road down to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island. First, A Serious Warning There is a lookout point here thats quite beautiful! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. For more info, see mydisclosures. 8 It's Not Meant For Fast Drivers A simple asphalt, tight road is not an ideal spot to do street racing! 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. The road climbed out of Kahakuloa Village and went into ranch land with sweeping vistas of green pastures. 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. It's scary! King Kahekili was said to leap 200 feet down to the water from this hill in the mornings before eating breakfast, from a spot called Kahekilis Leap.. However, this highway along Maui's North shore was no Road to Hana, because it was 10 times better than the Road to Hana. If a motorcycle is not your thing, rent a scouter, we met a local on her scouter, which we followed more than half the way up, and she had to be in her 70s. The roads were in as good a shape as could be expected for a windy, narrow road. 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. and why one driving northwest tends to hug the cliff 91% of travelers recommend this experience. Make sure you are not violating the contract of your rental car. So not many people visit this part of Maui. via To-Hawaii. Oh, and the roads are still very narrow the next 5 miles or so. 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. Beautiful images are easy in a scenic spot like Maui! Yes this drive isnt for everyone which is why I tried to be honest about it and provide some images about what it looked like. The County of Maui announced that MP10 Hana Highway 360, has been closed in both directions due to a landslide in the area. The many twists and turns on the one path of the labyrinth reflect the journey of life, which includes changes of direction, transitions, realization, and completion. It would have been almost impossible to back a bike down that narrow road. Al of a sudden I let out a gasp I wasnt sure when it exactly happened but I was on a one lane road going around hairpin turns. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. Your images are stunning! I am definitely saving this post for future travel planning. 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. All content (c) TheVanEscape 2019-2023 - if you would like to use any of them, please use our Contact Form. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! A must stop is the art gallery at the top before you descend. 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. Answer 1 of 9: Anyone knows if any rental car in Maui accepts that we drive the Kahekili highway ? I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! But it was definitely worth it! So, its a good idea to stop, buy something local to support small businesses, and stretch your legs. we where on our way up to see the sunrise on top of the Puu Kuni but missed the turn in the dark. DO NOT DRIVE THIS ROAD - It is not enjoyable. Do happy you took the drive as I think its SO much better than the road to Hana! Theres some technical navigating involved and can be quite scary when you meet and have to try to pass another car. Drive from Lahaina to Waihee so that you are on the inside when/if you pass another car on the narrow bits. Thanks that you will be able to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic. She stated the road was repaired and is a great drive. 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. He climbed this hill and jumped into the ocean below. Frankly, I don't get all the negative reviews and the danger they mention. And after Ohai Trail, it will officially become Kahekili Highway until you reach Waihee-Waiehu. But if you drive the Hana full loop, the road gets pretty sketchy past Hana, but still doable in a sedan. Coming in at just 2.0 miles up-and-back, its actually a moderately difficult hike because youre walking over slick rocks during much of the hike. Plus, your guides will take you to approved, safe places. This is probably a great time for your official warning: driving the Kahekili Highway Maui is not for the faint of heart. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. Kahekili Highway: Road to Hana on steroids! This has the advantage of driving on the inside of the road rather than along the edge. Small natural pools are hidden at the bottom of the road, just a few feet from the ocean. The road is not lit, and many sections do not even have reflectors. Kahekili highway was initially paved in the late 90s and as I started the drive, it was really pleasant driving. I dont scare easily (Im a kayaker, mountain climber and cliff repeller, and sky diver) but this road scared the beejesus out of me. This N Ala Hele trail is a great place to stretch your legs. Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua would be built on an 11-acre site owned by the nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity, near the intersection of Kahekili Highway and Waiehu Beach Road. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. Youre making it to the end of this epic road trip but not without 2 more amazing hikes ahead! Following advice from a no-nothing has lead to many tourists deaths. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. There is also a short paved trail, the Overlook Trail, leading to a headland where you can see sweeping views of the rugged coastline. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. We were a mile from the trail head but no, we did not make it in our ridiculous camero rental car. The West Maui Mountains are so scenic and gorgeous! For this reason, I recommend just stopping at the lookout point and continuing on with the road trip adventure. Finally before coming down the Kahekili highway into Waihee I passed a number of little fruit and artist stands. For those driving the Road to Hana over the next few months, consider booking Road to Hana tours. But unlike the Hana Highway, it's a mystery to most visitors. 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. And good hiking poles will help you stay upright and provide support during the most treacherous parts of the trail. 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. Makaluapuna Point is also known as Dragons Teeth. Many areas around Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 areprivately owned and not accessible by tourists. Today. My husband and I stumbled upon this drive as we went on a hike and decided to take the "scenic" route on the way home, so we had no idea what we were in for. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Related read: 20 Things to Do in Maui on a Budget. When I did it there were no restrictions with the rental car. I was on top of a rocky cliff and could see for miles as little clouds that looked like cotton balls dotted the sky. Good to know to plan to do the road from west to east. The locals sometimes call this road the Death Highway, so please take our warnings seriously. Once youre going clockwise the ride is just fine even w only one lane. 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* Gah! 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. One of the most controversial areas of this drive is the Olivine Pools. So we share our tips on what to do and how to prepare for this scenic and thrilling drive. Good call! We drove that road a few years back and loved it. It looks damn amazing. Anyway, just past mile marker 14, there is a scenic lookout. . But its also extremely narrow at points. Large rocks line the coast and it can be hard to keep steady while standing or swimming in the water. Youll see warning signs and a grave of a 17-year old who passed away at the site. If you love driving, this is for you - but staying alert is key, as you'll run into a few surprise obstacles along the way. If youre hungry at all, youve gotta do Braddah Chics Stop! Pro tip: take athletic shoes or comfortable water shoes with you! Hop out of your vehicle, stretch your legs and grab a few pics of the beautiful valley scene of the West Maui Mountains. So cool Rachel! C'est magnifique. Take your time, explore, and soak in the views and the people you meet along the way. Kahekili Highway is more dangerous based on the width of the road Honestly, if you have to choose just one adventure, it will be difficult! This one-lane highway has been ranked as one of the most dangerous roads in the world time and time again. Visible from the highway and located so close to the Road to Hana makes Wailua Falls one of Maui's unique and most accessible waterfalls. The water coming out of the hole also has a strong breeze, so be careful. Scary!! We went counter clockwise and saw the blowhole from a distance, so beautiful! I try to be as accurate as I can, it is dangerous when someone (I mean not you) is not careful when they drive. It is believed that Kahakuloa Head was one of King Kahekilis favorite places to cliff jump. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'inspiredroutes_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_16',180,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-narrow-sky-2-0');I love usingBooking.combecause they have a great selection of hotels and vacation rental properties, which I tend to alternate between. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. It is a slow drive, 10 to 15 miles an hour, be sure you can handle a motorcycle pretty well, because there are several up hill hair pin turns. My family and I were told to go this route as the main road to kaanapali was closed due to a brush We loved the narrow winding Kahekili Highway, it was fun and the views were stunning. There were fatal accidents along the Kahekili Highway. Honolua Bay is part of the Marine Life Conservation District, meaning it is illegal to fish and take natural resources including marine life and even rock. Highway 37 is a road that connects Kahului to the beginning of the Piilani Highway. If you encounter a vehicle, you or the other person will have to reverse until the road gets wider. we are going to live in Wailea , and want to go to Ion Valley Needle, Waihee Ridge Trail, Honolua Bay Scenic Lookout, Olivine Pools His bold approach to leadership warrior spirit made him well-known during his reign and for centuries after. Live aloha. HAWAII'S BEST ROAD TRIP: The Road to Hana (4K) TIM and FIN 237K subscribers Subscribe 2.4K 160K views 1 year ago In this video we're exploring THE TOP THING TO DO IN MAUI: The Road to. Because of this post, now Im keeping this line in mind. There are sheer cliffs with 100 ft + drops in some of the areas without guardrails! What a trip!!! Although we had to stop suddenly when a school van speeding around a blind corner, gave us little time to react. We waded through the water to get a bit closer and thats when it really hit. It starts on Highway 30/Honoapiilani Highway which turns in to Highway 340 which then turns into Kahekili Highway. Sold: Vacant land located at 0 Hana Hwy, Hana, HI 96713 sold for $600,000 on Feb 24, 2023. Along the way, there are a few places where you can snack, but they are not always open. Im not sure I would have drove it had I read about it before hand. But what a view! New weight limit 15 tons. The road climbed out of the village of Kahakuloa and into ranch country with wide vistas of green pastures. This drive is absolutely gorgeous and unexpectedly thrilling! 360. Its a fun drive with some areas of danger and not an easy one but an experience for those who like danger and challenges. It shouldn't be confused with Highway 30, which is the state maintained portion of the same route. Its an incredible adventure hike as you trek alongside a stream, crossing over it 13 times over the distance of the hike, until you get to a waterfall. Cows graze in the pastures, and the landscape is idyllic. Youll be glad you did! It kind of reminded me of the Waimea Canyon Trail in Kauai. And yes, we did (unfortunately) run into this situation! Hubby and I don't want to drive a car on this road, but would scooters be a good choice? I was thrilled when we got back to 2 lanes. Kahekili Highway (Hawaii Route 340, Hawaii State Highway 340) is considered one of the most dangerous roads in Hawaii and the USA. All of the negative reviews focus on the portion of road roughly between the Nakalele Blowhole and Waihee. Passed a number of little fruit and artist stands be hard to keep while... And you will see a sign explaining the history of the negative reviews and the is. Ring of concentric circles is actually a pattern with a purpose with you road are rightfully frustrated I! 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kahekili highway vs road to hana