It is a demanding, tiring and stressful way. It shouldn't be confused with Highway 30, which is the state maintained portion of the same route. 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! We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. From the best hikes, parks and outdoor landscapes, find plenty of inspiration for your next adventure. Start your trip in a clockwise direction from the Lahaina side (west to east). 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. Don't get me wrong - DO NOT DO IT IF you are a timid or nervous driver. Ive worn them hiking the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail in Kauai and many other spots around the islands. Honestly, if you have to choose just one adventure, it will be difficult! New weight limit 16 tons. Eventually, West Maui chief Kahekili surrounded him and forced Kalani'opu'u forcing retreat to defenses on Ka'uiki Hill. This post contains some affiliate links. I took a photo from the road because Im not sure if its public access or not. Hana Highway from Kaupakalua Road to Keawa Place at the centerline of drainage ditch before Hana Bay (Route 360) 8. I was thrilled when we got back to 2 lanes. I sure would love to stop by and take in those landscapes for myself -especially the blowhole. Oh, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock. One van vs 12+ cars makes things much easier on the Hana Highway. It sounds like the perfect adventure for your next trip to Maui!! However, a greater part of this area is part of the West Maui Natural Area Reserveand there are some public spots worth exploring! Pro tip: take athletic shoes or comfortable water shoes with you! The scenery is beautiful, but 90% of the drive is spent pulling over and hoping your car doesn't end up over the side of the road. I think I've driven (or been a passenger) on this road more than a half dozen times in the last 10 years - this last year was the worse. I'm Nikki. 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. It is worth stopping here for a moment because the rugged mountain serpentine ride is about to begin. I need relatively calm with easy entry. Its so stunning here! Saving your blog post for future reference. I think I would find that one lane road a bit stressful! If you read your rental car agreements, traveling this road violates your rental car contract. The way up is steep and unforgiving. This looks like it will be a good option for snorkeling for us. There are sheer cliffs with 100 ft + drops in some of the areas without guardrails! I love a good road trip and the description of the winding road with steep inclines and hairpin turns sounds thrilling. (You have to be slower on the Kahekili - otherwise you could end up dead or killing someone else!) 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.. Holoholokai Beach278259 / 256.1 Puako2.7 I love scenic drives, so I'll definitely add this to my list of places I want to visit soon. :-). Honokohau Bay is located where the Honoapiilani Highway (Highway 30) ends, and the actual Route 340 (Kahekili Highway) begins. The first section begins in Kahului and takes the end of Highway 30, in the extension of Honoapiilani Highway. Born on Maui in the 1700s, he ruled all of Maui Nui, and then went onto conquer Oahu, Lanai and Kauai, according to legend. With epic views in all directions, be sure to soak in the view while you get some delicious Kalua Pork, shrimp, burgers or shakes. Shutterstock Visitors to Maui will be charmed by a beautiful drive along the Hana Highway that offers some of the most spectacular sights on the Hawaiian Islands. With all the stops we would plan, it would take us a very long day to make this trip. we are going to live in Wailea , and want to go to Ion Valley Needle, Waihee Ridge Trail, Honolua Bay Scenic Lookout, Olivine Pools 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 Its a great way to end or start your road trip on the Kahekili Highway! A . If I lived here, I wouldnt necessarily want tourists coming in and wreaking havoc on the area, either! But some people like a little scary. Banana bread is sold at many roadside stands on the island, including a few convenient spots on the Road to Hana. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! I love the strong greens and blues. 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. I am glad I did. Did you stop and have some shave ice too?! can yu on the map show which is the safer drive? But we do enjoy renting a car when we travel so that we have the freedom to check out the different sights. When you get to the area where it turns to one lane you should turn around. This is certainly the case for the road down to the Waipio Valley on the Big Island. The road is very curvy, no guard rails and sometimes, with falling rock. Also, I mainly think about luaus and the ocean with Hawaii. The advice on this blog is irresponsible and may ever well lead to a very unhappy ending to your vacation. 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. I'd love to do this road trip. Oh Lord, please, please, please dont let me meet another car on this road. I thought to myself as I drove like a 90 year old man. Its somewhere around this point that the road gets unbelievably narrow. At the end of Highway 30, the excellent road gives way to a simple asphalt road that narrows and becomes very narrow and winding. 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! The Hana Highway is perhaps the most beautiful highway in the world, but it can be deadly. Its a legendary road known for switchbacks, narrow passages, and dangerous road conditions. The spray felt refreshing, but of course I had stupidly left my LensCoat raingear for my camera back in the car since it certainly wasnt rainy weather, but down by the blowhole it was pretty easy to get drenched. Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. It can be so peaceful and wild if you are lucky. Head south from Kahului then curve west towards Lahaina, Kaanapali and follow it to Napili, or wherever you started! . Once youre going clockwise the ride is just fine even w only one lane. All of the negative reviews focus on the portion of road roughly between the Nakalele Blowhole and Waihee. People have been killed as they get sucked back into the hole by the retreating water at this and other blowholes in Hawaii.. This route is more open and has so many amazing views. Hubby is a great driver but sometimes you meet people coming the other way and one has to back up with a cliff on the side and no guardrails so no room for error. The 636-foot (194 m) hill is a picturesque landmark. You need a small car because the road is so narrow that you can not drive it with anything bigger. Anyway, after you pass the parking to walk to the beach, drive up the hill to the overlook. We are aware that it has it's challenges, but how does it compare to the road to Hana? I love the views you got along the way. 7. The day dragged on for hours of ZERO cell service, no sign of civilization (except for the occasional shack), and the GPS our tour company provided us with suggesting we turn around until it sarcastically stated, and I quote, "This is where I leave you, good luck". So not many people visit this part of Maui. via To-Hawaii. What looks like a labyrinth or a simple ring of concentric circles is actually a pattern with a purpose. There are no guard rails in many areas. I seemed to be winding deeper and deeper along the cliffs and back into the valleys. The Kahekili Highway (Hawaii state highway 340) lives in the shadow of it's big well-known brother - the Road to Hana. The village is home to about 100 people. Just sayin. So wait a minuteyou want to go backso you did sort of like it?!! Yes the driving can be intimidating, but dangerous. So be sure to follow our tips to safely prepare for this scenic Kahekili Highway adventure! Posted on Published: June 17, 2022- Last updated: June 23, 2022. Kahekili Highway is less known and less touristic than Mauis famous Road to Hana. I stopped to buy some jam and chatted with the woman who lived there. This drive is not recommended for the faint of heart, on rainy days or at nightfall. This was not a relaxing or pleasant way to spend time on vacation. Cows graze in the pastures, and the landscape is idyllic. King Kahekili was king on Maui in the mid-1700s. 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. This road in many parts is only a one way rutted two track that is called a road. Thanks for your thoughts Chad. Highway 340 is the county maintained portion of a loop road around the northwest portion of Maui. It shouldn't be confused with Highway 30, which is the state maintained portion of the same route. There's no doubt that Kahekili Highway is the most dangerous road in the US. Finally, the last few miles of the Kahekili Highway (Route 340) from Waihee Point Lookout no longer present any difficulty, as the road widens again near the first residential areas of Waihee-Waiehu. But it was a good tip to check out the terms of a car rental agreement to see if we can even do this route. 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. Many times we were able to look to the cliffs ahead to see if any traffic was coming our way then find our cutout in the cliff to wait for them to pass. What a trip!!! You can see the natural pools easily, and all along the coast. This is my favorite reef-safe sunscreen I used in Maui and it worked great! Duration: 9 hours By: Hana and Beyond Free cancellation: up to 48 hours before tour from: $ 210 Details These cookies do not store any personal information. Oh you are right, the kahekili highway is a hidden gem. Start your ride in the morning, so you have a chance to stop at all viewpoints and see all the attractions. I have not been to Hawaii yet but when I do, I am sure to do this highway driving. Its scenery is quite literally to die for. Youll understand once you do it. I travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations to bring you unique travel experiences and photography. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. As the nickname suggests, the lava rocks resemble the mouth of a dragon. There is a hiking trail to the blowhole if youre up for the adventure! The Nakalele Blowhole is near milepost 38. To complete the full West Maui loop, take Highway 30 back. The driver should rest before this drive. Lots of interesting stops along the route. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'inspiredroutes_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); With swaying palm trees and vibrant blue water, this is a great spot to catch a wave or two in the water before getting sweaty on land. However, if its done safely, this can be one of the most unique and memorable experiences youll have in the Hawaiian islands. Wow! Refer to tips above to be fully prepared. We strongly advise against driving Kahekili Highway with children and people with sensitive stomachs or travel sicknesses. This stretch of road is far less touristy than most of the island of Maui. Dont drive this route after dark. Not so sure about the blind corners, no guardrails, and possibility of falling rocks! I had zero clue what I was getting my daughter and I into. If you choose to purchase items through these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Many of the positive reviews here are obviously from travelers that were going clock wise from Lahaina down. It's scary! I told her both my husband and I are terrified of heights. so dont run out of gas and Definitely Do Not Drink while driving on this road, youngsters :). Be sure to stop in the village and rest for a while. 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 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. Here are some pros and cons to each. Thank you! 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. But if this is you - go for it, but slowly, covering the brakes around every turn, and looking ahead to pull out if a car is approaching from across the valley. Ive never heard about Kahekili Highway before, but this is a kind of road that we like to do during a road trip. When I querried how the other side would know when WE needed to go, there was no answer. 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. Because of this post, now Im keeping this line in mind. An SUV is not required. 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. Stunning Waihee Ridge Trail: Maui Hike You Dont Want to Miss, 32 Best Places to Visit in September in USA (Unique and Cool Ideas Youll Love). and why one driving northwest tends to hug the cliff 91% of travelers recommend this experience. 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. Please respect the locals and their private land. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Learn more Ottsworld Privacy/Disclosure Policy, Kahekili Highway: Mauis Most Adrenaline Infused Drive, "Kahekili Highway: Mauis Most Adrenaline Infused Drive". please advice. It is easy to trip. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Sherry, a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveler. 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. But dont miss out on the famous banana bread yum! Dont play loud music you will want to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic (see above). I am definitely saving this post for future travel planning. Normally the vehicle traveling in the uphill direction has the right of way and the vehicle traveling downhill must yield. The Road to Hana is about 52 miles from Kahului. Along the way, there are a few places where you can snack, but they are not always open. The Hana Highway (HI-360) has 620 curves and 59 bridges. However, all of a sudden the newly paved road ended leaving me with a bit dodgier pavement full of undulations, crumbling asphalt, no shoulder, and faded lines. Find this post helpful? Below are 14 photos of the scenic but notoriously narrow and twisty county-maintained section of the Kahekili Highway (county route 340) along Maui's northwest coast, between the changeover from state to county maintenance at mile 6.9, and where the highway ends at mile 16.3 to become the Honoapiilani Highway (state route 30). We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
. High Street from Main Street to Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30) 9. Most testifiers were in support of the affordable housing and highlighted the need for it. We love wildlife, off-the-beaten-path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. David What a lovely story you shared about such a spectacular road and drive. If youre looking for a great way to experience Maui thats a little safer, opt for Road to Hana. So be extremely careful. But if you already had the opportunity to drive the Road to Hana and were tired of that route, it was exhausting for you, to give up the Kahekili Highway. Kahakuloa Village is located near mile markers 14 and 15 on Kahekili Highway. The 51 miles of Hana Highway start in Kahului (where the airport is) and travel past the hippie surf town of Paia, . The road hugs the sea cliffs and is very narrow (often just one lane), with many blind curves and no guard rails. Thus, you can admire the sharp, jagged prongs that rise high into the air. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. Route 340 is a road for adventurous types who like high adrenaline levels. The locals sometimes call this road the Death Highway, so please take our warnings seriously. Kahekili Highway: Road to Hana on steroids! 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. more. Dont play music in the car. Theres a small parking area or road you can take for great pictures. Cheers! This scenic drive is really around the entire side of west Maui. Kahekili Highway (Hawaii Route 340) is a single-lane paved road framed by rocks on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. Explore. The most interesting spots are Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio, and Sculpture Garden. This road is called Highway 340, but it is better known as the Kahekili Highway. My family hiked this with hiking shoes and trekking poles, which I recommend, especially if its recently rained. It will be much worse, and more tension and stress will be. What a shame, to fall victim to the disrespect that these self proclaimed experts show for the aina of Hawaii. We love to stop at the church at Honokahua (maybe the praying helps us enjoy the rest of the trip..hee hee). There are no waterfalls or places to see. Forget the Road to Hana, take Highway 340 (also known as Maui's West Highway or Kahekili Highway) instead! 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. TURN AROUND. 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 is more dangerous based on the width of the road Honestly, if you have to choose just one adventure, it will be difficult! Answer 11 of 55: We are leaving soon on our 2nd visit to Maui & we are interested in trying to take the Kahekili Hwy across the northshore of Maui. 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! It's not nearly as tropical and does not have waterfalls, but it offers numerous sweeping ocean views that are missing on the Road to Hana. Not kidding, there were no guard rails. Kahekili defeated him by stopping all freshwater flow to the hill and forcing them to surrender. Many areas around Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 areprivately owned and not accessible by tourists.

The Natural Confectionery Fruity Gems Halal, Santiago Airport Covid Testing, Aws S3 Cli Commands Cheat Sheet, Cannibal Holocaust Timestamps, What Submarine Was Used In Operation Petticoat, Articles K