Road From Hana - Planning questions

Going back to Maui in June, first trip was 9 years ago. Our children were very young then, so we went halfway to Hana. Now, they are older, 10 and 12, and we would like to make the whole round trip.

Looking at some sites, it appears that Pi%26#39;ilani highway from Han through Kaupo, and Ulupalakua is a bit rough, but certainly drivable.

What can one expect for timing going all the way around starting up in Kaalinpani? We are not going to rush, and want to take our time.

We figure on leaving at 5:00 AM. Is that too early?

Thanks for the help!

Road From Hana - Planning questions

From Kaa%26#39;anapali - 5am is probably okay. The kids will hopefully sleep until sunrise. By then you should be near Ha%26#39;iku. Starting that early, you can certainly make it all the way around, but it will be a long day. You won%26#39;t be back until sunset. You can definately drive all the way around though. The road is rough, but good enough. Plus, the terrian is really different there and the contrast is nice.

Make sure you have a cooler with drinks and snacks. There are few places to stop. Hana is a beautiful drive. I have family in the mountains in NC and Virginia, so the curves don%26#39;t bother me. Enjoy it:-)

ps - also be sure to go all the way around the north west shore. It%26#39;s a itty bitty road at the very top, but just gorgeous.

Road From Hana - Planning questions

Hi,

It took us around 12 hours too from Pa%26#39;ia. I would think about heading back at least one hour to 1 1/2 hours before sunset from Oheo Gulch area.

The road is driveable but I would not want to do it when it is dark. Once you hit the regular highway, not a problem.

Chris

We left at 6:00 from Kaanapali and had breakfast in Kahului at 6:35. We left Kahului at 7:00 and began the journey. We spent a lot of time seeing almost everything that Maui revealed had for us to see, which left us at Oheo Gulch at 3:30/4:00. We spent some time swimming there and then took the drive around...WHICH WAS WELL WORTH IT. I feel bad for those that turn around and go back the same way. We stopped for some sites and for pictures. It was a very memorable experience.

All, tyhanks for the info.

Darqueta,

How long did it take from Oheo gulch back to Kaanapali on the Pi%26#39;ilani highway?

if your maui trip is short( 5 to 7 days), ignore this advice. If not... here goes.

Stay the night in Hana...your trip will be more informative and less stressful. We have been going to Maui annually since 1992 and always suggest this to friends and family visiting for the first time and have always been rewarded with a big thankyou.

Using Maui Revealed as your guide, do the Paia to Hana portion the first day...you will not come close to seeing it all but if you do find something that appeals to you personally you won%26#39;t feel under the gun to move on.

On the second day you can backtrack early to revisit sites close to Hana or carry on to the many, not to be missed, sights on the back side. You will reach Oheo Gulch long before the crowds and have the pools to yourselves. Don%26#39;t forget Lindbergs Grave...magical. The road, except for a short one lane gravel section is actually easier than the north side. The driver can sometimes take their eye off the road for a few seconds.

There are several places to stay that are clean and reasonable.(google Hana) I know it means leaving an expensive hotel room vacant for a night but I still think it is worth it...you may even decide like we did to come back and split your next vacation between Hana and the West side.

Aloha and have a great vacation