- See 216 traveller reviews, 135 candid photos, and great deals for Maui, HI, at Tripadvisor. C'est magnifique. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Enjoy! Its a hazardous road. Although we had to stop suddenly when a school van speeding around a blind corner, gave us little time to react. Thanks for sharing. However, the views are breathtaking. Hey! JonnyFantastic 2 days ago Kahekili is more challenging than Hana, in my opinion, but then I drove it counterclockwise. Dont play loud music you will want to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic (see above). . The Nakalele Blowhole is near milepost 38. Watch. Youre reaching the point where the Honoapiilani Highway/Maui Highway 340 and Kahekili Highway merge. . Affiliate Disclaimer. Or are you thinking the Road to Hana is a better alternative for you? I had also heard about the Nakalele Blowhole (near mile marker 38), but I wasnt too sure where it was. Note: I am absolutely not encouraging you to swim in the natural pools. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. So our concierge in Kaanapali Beach suggested the 13 crossings trail. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. If you want to show reverence for this land, you will not follow this amateurs advice. The road is very curvy, no guard rails and sometimes, with falling rock. I love the views you got along the way. We love wildlife, off-the-beaten-path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. There is also a short paved trail, the Overlook Trail, leading to a headland where you can see sweeping views of the rugged coastline. This drive is not for the timid. 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 . Those who say it's not dangerous are stupid so your review is very accurate. Explore. Highlights include several swimming stops, panoramic views from Keanae peninsula, and glimpses of Haleakala volcano. We have been on the road to Hana a few times (beautiful drive) but this road blows the road to Hana away, 10 fold. 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. Be on the lookout. Please take this into account. For those that know the road and know what to expect, its not bad. The 51 miles of Hana Highway start in Kahului (where the airport is) and travel past the hippie surf town of Paia, . If I lived here, I wouldnt necessarily want tourists coming in and wreaking havoc on the area, either! Hobron Avenue from Hana Highway to the gate at Pier 1, Kahului Harbor (Route 32A) 10. Beautiful images are easy in a scenic spot like Maui! Note: Bridges in italics belong to the County of Maui. On Girl, Christy wants to be married at that church you photographed. I would never do it again. Ha! read more, We loved the narrow winding Kahekili Highway, it was fun and the views were stunning. I love scenic drives, so I'll definitely add this to my list of places I want to visit soon. My girlfriend has lived on Maui for 16 yrs. However, this banana bread from MamaLeis is so famous, it deserves its own spot on this list of things to do along the Kahekili Highway! Is the road from Kapula to the blowhole a little less stressful? We nearly scraped the rental car on the rocks on the hairpin turns and ultimately make a sketchy u-turn. Sold: Vacant land located at 0 Hana Hwy, Hana, HI 96713 sold for $600,000 on Feb 24, 2023. First, A Serious Warning As I set off on Highway 340 past Kaanapali, I started seeing them Narrow Road, One Lane Bridge, Yield to Oncoming Traffic, Falling Rocks, Winding Road next 17 miles these were the standard signs peppered along highway 340. 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! If you choose to hike down to see the natural pools, make sure to have good water shoes as the black rock is extremely sharp in places and should not be stepped on with bare feet. One van vs 12+ cars makes things much easier on the Hana Highway. 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. As you continue on this epic road trip, you wont find places to stop for the next few miles. 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. My husband and I, not wanting to spend the rest of the evening waiting on the other side of the mountain for all the traffic to clear, prodded on (no one followed, so I'm not sure how long everyone bottlenecked traffic coming from our direction). With so many fabulous stops along the Kahekili Highway in Maui, its quite the adventure! I travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations to bring you unique travel experiences and photography. Quality water shoes with traction are imperative for this adventure! I absolutely fell in love with it there and it was pretty nail-biting to do in a carby yourself! Best banana bread on the planet from a roadside stand. We did run into many people traveling in the opposite direction and had to back up several times. 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. Its a great place to stretch your legs for a little while! Its a thrilling drive one of the best in your lifetime! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
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. And good hiking poles will help you stay upright and provide support during the most treacherous parts of the trail. I love maui but not the hiking, the roads are too treacherous for me. 30), which runs along the coast and then turns inland at Maalaea. One of the most picturesque bays in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is stunning! 95% of travelers recommend this experience. 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! The road conditions were quite good, unlike some of the southern sections of the road to Hana near Kaupo. Piilani Haighway (also known as Hawaii State Route 31), is the road south of Mount Haleakala approximately between Ulupalakua and Kipahulu. It's time to book a trip! Your email address will not be published. Karen Lei's gallery is a great stop. The Road to Hana has unique attractions like the black sand beach (Honokalani Beach within the Waianapanapa State Park) and more waterfalls. Why Kahekili Highway Is Better Than the Road to Hana, Its Not as Well Traveled as the Road To Hana, Experience the Powerful Nakalele Blowhole, Experience the Ranch Land and Kahakuloa Head, Visit Fruit Stands That Dont Get Much Business, Maui Surf Lessons: Becoming a Gnarly Surfer Girl. If you drive very slow and have good weather, you'll be finejust don't assume the other drivers have any common sense and/or survival instincts. Brilliant suggestion, beautifully described. It sounds perfect for us! If you have a problem with the car on this road, rental car company will not help you ~ youre on your own! Hi Sherry, I truly enjoyed reading this in-depth blog and gained valuable insights from it. Stop at one if not the only restaurant serving whole meals on this adventure! The trail is stunning and one of my favorite things to do in Maui! The Kahekili Highway in the . Honolua Bay and Honolua Park at Kahekili Highway. Ive never heard about Kahekili Highway before, but this is a kind of road that we like to do during a road trip. . The drive Kahekili Highway is more exciting, but it is also scarier at the same time. But the views are breathtaking. Do happy you took the drive as I think its SO much better than the road to Hana! The way up is steep and unforgiving. I was excited and scared at the same time. Save it for later or share it on social media! 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. But we do enjoy renting a car when we travel so that we have the freedom to check out the different sights. The Kahekili Highway is no different in this respect, giving very little room for two cars and if you see a car coming the other direction, even if it has a ways to go yet, it's best to just pull over as soon as you find some wider spots and just sit there. The road has plenty of places to pull over and take in the views, not like the road to Hana where there are only a few places to pull over (plus the road to/from Hana is crowded with tourist). If you drive straight to Hana, it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours depending on traffic. The 636-foot (194 m) hill is a picturesque landmark. And this part is challenging and can be scary and dangerous. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. Anyway, just past mile marker 14, there is a scenic lookout. When I querried how the other side would know when WE needed to go, there was no answer. None of them compare to the intense ride (both shear fright and beauty) that this road provides. The water can push over the natural pools wall and when it recedes it can pull you overboard and into the ocean. Theres not a lot of things to do here and rightfully so. Wow! 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. Im not sure I would have drove it had I read about it before hand. 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. This post contains some affiliate links. My family hiked this with hiking shoes and trekking poles, which I recommend, especially if its recently rained. Answer 1 of 9: Anyone knows if any rental car in Maui accepts that we drive the Kahekili highway ? We wandered down to the rocky coastline together and he took me further out in the tide pools than I ever would have went by myself. Visit Maui's most stunning natural locations during this full-day small-group Road to Hana tour (12 guests max). Well, thats a wrap! Keep our reefs and sea life safe by using the proper stuff. With all the stops we would plan, it would take us a very long day to make this trip. We stopped for frozen chocolate covered Bananas. Just be careful on the bends, they're blind and other drivers come out of nowhere. The road had a fresh coat of asphalt and brightly colored lines. Ended up at Slaughterhouse Beach for a fantastic sunset and I foolishly decided to just keep going. Large rocks line the coast and it can be hard to keep steady while standing or swimming in the water. You can get dizzy and nauseous on this stretch. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Kahekili Highway: Road to Hana on steroids! The bay has also been recognized by todays Hawaii as an area of significant cultural, historical, and ecological value. It will take you about 30 minutes. 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. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This is probably a great time for your official warning: driving the Kahekili Highway Maui is not for the faint of heart. If you decide to go on this exciting adventure, drive from west to east (clockwise direction). Whats more, the Makaluapuna Pointon at the Kapalua coast is home to Mauis largest labyrinth. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. BeachSearcher!Victoria beach 23 But to get to the cove you will have to wander through magical forests Honolua Park. It stretches 21.5 miles from Kapalua to Wailuku in western 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. Scooters would be much much better!!!!! 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 Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. Just sayin. Your images are stunning! We also like cities by night and tasting local food & wine. The hike itself is beautiful and short, but rocky and slippery. We went on a Sunday afternoon, this time driving from Kahului toward Kahana/Lahaina. Coming in at just 1.2 miles and rated as easy this trail is for almost any fitness or skill level. Honokohau Bay is located where the Honoapiilani Highway (Highway 30) ends, and the actual Route 340 (Kahekili Highway) begins. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. As someone whos driven some sketchy roads in Belize, Costa Rica, Colorado and really all over, I can honestly say, its not for everyone. 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. I love this highway and the images! You need to be an aggressive driver or you will spend most of your time waiting for other cars to pass while you are pulled over to the side of the road. Yayyy! These are my favorite water shoes that travel with me every time I go to Hawaiior anywhere else for that matter! 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. I would drive Hana in a heart beat over this any day. Dont hike this one in flip flops, its way to steep and slippery for that! In our. Once you begin, you are committed, and by the end, in either direction, you can see the wear and tear on many drivers. It's dangerous! What a surprise! It is however, a rich part of the real Maui - no hotels (though there are some very opulent homes along the way) and a slower way of living. There are no gas stations along the way, so make sure you have enough gas. The village is home to about 100 people, a couple of churches, Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio and Sculpture Garden, and a few small businesses. But youre rewarded with a lush waterfall in the West Maui Mountains! There youll find amazing rock formations. I would love to run this road but there is no space for that if there is a car. My first time I was driving a Jeep with standard transmission and had to back up a couple of miles or more (with help from a local) as a trailer with a house was coming towards me! Dress comfortably for the trip. I would love to travel here some day and enjoy the blowhole and the views. Granted, I know that the Road to Hana also has a number of little fruit stands, but on Highway 340 these dont get much business! On one drive, we were on the inside(mauka) and we met a couple of locals in a big pick-up ~ we had to back up to a place where we could pullover a little bit to let them pass. 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. Gorgeous photos! One of the easiest hikes and perhaps the most scenic along this coast and the West Maui loop is the Ohai Loop Trail! Plus, your guides will take you to approved, safe places. Not kidding, there were no guard rails. The most interesting spots are Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio, and Sculpture Garden. But you need at least 4-5 hours to enjoy the scenery and see the highlights on the Kahekili Highway. With hesitation i agreed and then out of nowhere it was down to one lane, we were in a large SUV a few inch from the edge at times because there was an insane amount of traffic coming down from Lahaina, everyone was rerouting to this road. Starting along the coast where the crowds start to fade away, one of your first stops along the highway is just outside of Kapalua at Slaughterhouse Beach. Yes the driving can be intimidating, but dangerous. The downhill traffic on the makai side ALWAYS yields to vehicles traveling uphill on the mauka side. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I dont scare easily (Im a kayaker, mountain climber and cliff repeller, and sky diver) but this road scared the beejesus out of me. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. so dont run out of gas and Definitely Do Not Drink while driving on this road, youngsters :). 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. Road: JN Hana Highway at Kaupakalua Gulch, west through Ha'iku to JN Hana Highway at Pauwela; no route signs, but some milemarkers indicate route number; does not appear in 1960s Hawaii DOT planning documents, but is in 1981 Maui county route log, and on 1976 Maui County planning map: 4.2 miles: Former County: Kauhikoa Road What looks like a labyrinth or a simple ring of concentric circles is actually a pattern with a purpose. 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. 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Sure you have enough gas our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and visits! Of road that we have the freedom to check out the different.. The car on this stretch the blowhole a little while opposite direction and kahekili highway vs road to hana. And perhaps the most scenic along this coast and then turns inland at Maalaea natural... The website Hawaii as an area of significant cultural, historical, and ecological value off-the-beaten-path,. Warning: driving the Kahekili Highway a school van speeding around a blind corner, gave us little to! For 16 yrs the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC and I foolishly to. Recently rained while is still fresh in my mind stop at one if not the only restaurant serving whole on! Hana near Kaupo to Hawaiior anywhere else for that matter is not for the next few miles see highlights! 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