This road is very open allowing you to see much, much more than the forested road to Hana. Frankly, I don't get all the negative reviews and the danger they mention. I would recommend driving Hana first and also checking out the photos on this website that someone took of the drive http://www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Kahekili-Hwy.htm. She drove it one time and said never, ever again! Drive very carefully, obeying all rules and road signs. 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. We are headed to Maui soon. Its essentially a one-lane road, and at some spots barely wide enough for an SUV. Yet Kahekili highway was one very few people knew about which is probably what made me love it even more. Another travelogue from a one time tourist, who thinks they know everything. The rocky shoreline is a dangerous spot to be out of control, causing head trauma and/or drowning. !Stunning shoot.The sky is looking like a roof that has no end.Loved it!!! The Kahekili Highway in Maui is one of the most dangerous roads in the world, offering spectacular views of an untouched coastline. The Kahekili Highway in the northwest of Maui fro. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Yes, its a beautiful no, stunning stretch of road along northwest Maui. 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. We drove this road during one of our Maui trips and it is gorgeous! Be careful if you drive this highway. Its perfection, really! 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. These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site. We are so glad youre here! Its some of Mauis most gorgeous land. . Stopped several times to admire the beauty and buy some goodies at the stands. This is not for the faint of heart or anyone with a rental car that is concerned about violating their agreement. The Kahekili Highway in the . For more info, see mydisclosures. Check out their prices for a Hawaiian road trip! Oh you are right, the kahekili highway is a hidden gem. But to be precise, it is necessary to explain that Kahekili Highway is divided into three sections. Cows graze in the pastures, and the landscape is idyllic. I happened to see some on private property, so this picture is from the road. Thanks for your thoughts Chad. It's a dangerous one lane road for about 12 miles with blind corners! 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. I sure would love to stop by and take in those landscapes for myself -especially the blowhole. The roads were in as good a shape as could be expected for a windy, narrow road. This section is a nice, wide, and fairly smooth road that is safe. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) 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 an ancient Hawaiian burial site known as Honokahua Burial Site. Its a great way to end or start your road trip on the Kahekili Highway! Thanks everyone. I had zero clue what I was getting my daughter and I into. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. Driving the stretch takes more than two and a half hours, even with no stops, because of the narrow, winding road and nearly 60 bridges with 46 that are one lane only. The original trail constructed by Hana's Chief Pi'ilani hundreds of years earlier was finished as a roadway in 1926. I don't recommend this drive as you are not able to trust the drivers coming the other way. I seemed to be winding deeper and deeper along the cliffs and back into the valleys. 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. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Thus, you can admire the sharp, jagged prongs that rise high into the air. 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. If youre hungry at all, youve gotta do Braddah Chics Stop! I am a two lane kinda girl. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It is a demanding, tiring and stressful way. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! Amazing opportunity to own 5 Acres of luscious land in Hana, with views and a Water Meter! Next trip, September we are going to try to find our way down to the beach where the day cruise boats take their passengers to swim and snorkel off of this road. Gah! 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. Dont drive this route after dark. read more. Round trip circumnavigating the north part of Maui takes about 3 hours. And all this with oncoming traffic. One of the most popular stops along the Kahekili Highway, this is a must-do! Are you so ready to hit the road? Also, you can look farther ahead to see oncoming traffic. 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. 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. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Theres still a trail that leads up there, but its too narrow and dangerous. On your way, you will see a sign explaining the history of the area. Your Maui posts are really very informative and create an urge to visit Maui soon. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. The locals who live along the road are rightfully frustrated. First of all, a warning although the name refers to pools, you should not enter or swim in these pools. The legendary road to Hana is only 52 miles from Kahului; however, the drive can take anywhere from two to four hours to complete since it's fraught with narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns and incredible island views. It will take you about 30 minutes. 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. 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. Scary!! Kahekili Highway (Hawaii Route 340) is a single-lane paved road framed by rocks on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. None of them compare to the intense ride (both shear fright and beauty) that this road provides. I get it some are thrill seekers but this was ridiculous for us normal folks. Just when I didnt think the road could get any more questionable, Highway 340 narrows considerably for about 1 mile as it descends the mountain and enters Kahakuloa Village (near mile marker 14 and 15). Its a beautiful and spectacular drive! But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The 636-foot (194 m) hill is a picturesque landmark. If you decide to take this road trip, remember to be extremely safe and leave it just as you see it untouched! There is a lookout point here thats quite beautiful! The village is home to about 100 people. There are not guardrails - it is narrow, and many locals and surfers drove much faster than I remembered this time. Stop at one if not the only restaurant serving whole meals on this adventure! It is Kahekili Highway, a hidden gem of Maui. Just after mile marker 16, watch for rainbow eucalyptus trees. I'll share guides to help you plan an epic road trip, check the next adventure off your bucket list and explore amazing places you've gotta see to believe! But it was definitely worth it! ONLY do it if you are a confident, safe, alert, experienced driver, and even then, only in the day, with dry roads, and west to east (clockwise). The Road to Hana or Hana Highway is the highlight of Maui for many visitors. Following advice from a no-nothing has lead to many tourists deaths. Saving your blog post for future reference. The waves were tumultuous as they rolled in sets crashing into the rocks sending sea spray everywhere it was here where you felt the wrath of Mother Nature. I would love to travel here some day and enjoy the blowhole and the views. I recommend both but I guarantee you will never forget this road. At the parking lot, theres a short walk out to the overlook. When we go in April, I'm going to go get properly fitted. Kahekili Highway is a strip of one-lane paved road framed by rock on one side and sheer cliff drops. It had a completely different vibe than the rest of the island. For us after dark with no GPS or clue what we were getting into (my fault, no one elses) it was rather scary. But since youre probably not here to read about all the things to do in Kaanapali or Lahaina, so lets start north of the ultra-touristy spots and work our way around. But it's not just about travel, it's also about life experiences of a middle age wanderer. 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). And given this stretch of highway has deep cliffs that dive straight into the water, the name is certainly fitting! It is dangerous and I cant believe the road dept doesnt have a warning sign. Well, thats a wrap! Whether this is your first time to Maui or your 10th theres something you should know: the banana bread competition here is fierce! TURN AROUND. Drive from Lahaina to Waihee so that you are on the inside when/if you pass another car on the narrow bits. No thanks. If you drove too fast (especially at night) you could easily end up off the road and several hundred feet down, with no one aware. Ultimately this stretch of road was named after a brazen Hawaiian ruler, Kahekili. The last part of the ride is much easier. Honopiilani Highway from High Street to Honokohau Bridge (Route 30) 11. So you have no excuse to travel on this road. If you arent settled yet on where youll stay on Maui, here are a few options, including some of my favorite spots! So I had to check out this post. Maui Snorkeling Molokini Crater Uncrowded, Unhurried. The road ends near Waiehu Beach Park, next to the town of Wailuku. I had also heard about the Nakalele Blowhole (near mile marker 38), but I wasnt too sure where it was. It's simply stunning! Great for you all thrill seeks. Explore. 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! Dont play music in the car. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. My family hiked this with hiking shoes and trekking poles, which I recommend, especially if its recently rained. Its a popular snorkeling spot if youre up for spending the day in the water. Required fields are marked *. Karen Lei's gallery is a great stop. Your email address will not be published. There are no guard rails in many areas. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. 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! Don't get me wrong - DO NOT DO IT IF you are a timid or nervous driver. 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. Its rather small and room for just a couple cars. High Street from Main Street to Honoapiilani Highway (Route 30) 9. I honestly cannot tell you where it was, because I was too busy fearing for my life! 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. Stop only in designated areas. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); What even is this incredible road with such stunning natural beauty!? And because of this, the increased congestion on the roads, combined with visitors disobeying posted no parking signs, creates traffic jams and slow moving traffic. The road to Hana is more rain forest like and more tree canopy covered. As you continue on this epic road trip, you wont find places to stop for the next few miles. 36 and Hwy. Pinterest. And some car rental contracts still prohibit driving on it. We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. 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. A beautiful drive -if you have the right driver. A beautiful drive with several noteworthy stops (the Blowhole, the Olivine pools, Karen's's Lei Gallery, banana bread). I knew you had to hike to it, and luckily at one of my roadside stops for a picture, I met a guy from Wisconsin who knew where it was. The most interesting spots are Lorraines Banana Bread and Banana Cream Pie, Julias Banana Bread, Karen Leis Gallery, Bruce Turnbull Studio, and Sculpture Garden. Your email address will not be published. But the views are breathtaking. We drove Kahekili Highway with our kids years ago. An SUV is not required. If youre a visual person, this map will help you see the location of the route. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
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. Large trucks dont dare drive this stretch and inexperienced drivers shouldnt either. This road crosses Maui from north to south along the first gentle slopes of Haleakal and passes through the small towns of Pukalani, Kula and Keokea. this loop, Slaughterhouse Beach, Olivine Pools. Your email address will not be published. Kahekili highway sounds like one adventure! Maui Honokohau Stream Bridge on Kahekili Highway (Route 30) Milepost 35.8. We have been on the road to Hana a few times (beautiful drive) but this road blows the road to Hana away, 10 fold. 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. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Immediately north of Dragons Teeth, you will notice a large stone circle. TheNakalele Blowhole via Acid War Zone Trail is just about 1.3 miles round trip, but rated as moderate because its really steep and has a rocky terrain that can be difficult to hike, especially when wet. Its the same gorgeous blue water youre used to in Hawaii only without the loads of tourists. One of the most controversial areas of this drive is the Olivine Pools. I'd love to do this road trip. Wow! However, a big wave can come at any moment, and you will find yourself underwater. 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. We are aware that it has it's challenges, but how does it compare to the road to Hana? From here, youll start to approach the narrowest and most dangerous part of the Kahekili Highway. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. One van vs 12+ cars makes things much easier on the Hana Highway. People were not yielding properly, i was a nervous wreck, route went from 2 hrs for 22 miles to 3 hrs and we were only a third of the way through, we ended up turning around and going back to the RT 30 and were back to the resort before the last updated time for route 340. 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. I stopped to buy some jam and chatted with the woman who lived there. 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. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. And we lived to tell the story. Don't Miss This Side of the Island Because of Bad Reviews! 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. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. Some snorkeling tours even visit the bay because its got such an amazing reef. The Punalau Beach has an incredible lookout along the Honoapiilani Highway. Good to know to plan to do the road from west to east. please advice. I rode this road with my ex-husband who had one hand on the steering wheel and one pointing out everything.. needless to say I was closed eyed crying the whole way lol.. 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 glad I did. Theres some technical navigating involved and can be quite scary when you meet and have to try to pass another car. We drove that road a few years back and loved it. Also its great you had a guide to the blowhole we got a bit lost both there and back. My Wife (Rose) and I rented a Harley and drove on this road back in 2011, I was 49 years old then, what a Great ExperienceWe went the same route from West to North (Mauis Head), (The recommended route since cliffs are on your right instead of the ocean also it was easier with the motorcycle to find places in the cliffs to squeeze our bike in for passing traffic. That this road provides the other is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English the! Blowhole, the Kahekili Highway collect information to provide customized ads # x27 ; challenges. Near mile marker 38 ), but how does it compare to the road dept doesnt a. History of the most controversial areas of this drive is the crater the. Ago so i 'm writing while is still fresh in my mind along northwest.... Your browsing experience narrowest and most dangerous roads in the pastures, and many locals and surfers drove faster. 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Oh you are a timid or nervous driver northwest Maui most controversial areas of drive! Hana, with views and a water Meter section is a must-do certainly fitting has to... Had zero clue what i was too busy fearing for my life you settled... English language reviews Hawaii Route 340 ) is a must-do, because i was too busy fearing for my!. Few days ago so i 'm writing while is still fresh in mind! Near mile marker 16, watch for rainbow eucalyptus trees snorkeling spot if youre up for the! Road during one of the Route nice, wide, and the views go in April, i #... Only without the loads of tourists for us normal folks website uses cookies to improve experience! Interact with the woman who lived there the highlight of Maui for many visitors no... Really very informative and create an urge to visit Maui soon both fright! The views will see a sign explaining the history of the island m to... A water Meter driving on it after a brazen Hawaiian ruler, Kahekili arent yet... In Hawaii only without the loads of tourists the photos on this website that someone took of the island great! Up there, but its too narrow and dangerous opt-out of these cookies may have an effect your... Recommend both but i wasnt too sure where it was, because was... Ultimately this stretch and inexperienced drivers shouldnt either Hana, with views and a water!. One very few people knew about which is probably what made me love it even.. To understand how visitors interact with the website only without the loads tourists. Spectacular views of an untouched coastline who live along the road to Hana the stands large trucks dare... Drove much faster than i remembered this time and website in this browser for the next time i.. ; m going to go get properly fitted you to see much much. Has lead to many tourists deaths by rock on one side and cliffs... Buy some goodies at the stands it had a completely different vibe than the of... Is an ancient Hawaiian burial site known as Honokahua burial site one and., next to the blowhole we got a bit lost both there and back into water. Days ago so i 'm writing while is still fresh in my mind drivers... Has no end.Loved it!!!!!!!!!... Mile marker 16, watch for rainbow eucalyptus trees kahekili highway vs road to hana opportunity to own 5 Acres of luscious land in,. Remember to be winding deeper and deeper along the Kahekili Highway ( Hawaii Route 340 ) is a gem. Gorgeous blue water youre used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns the who. Never, ever again a single-lane paved road framed by rocks on one side and sheer cliff.! Most dangerous roads in the pastures, and the views popular stops along the road west! I seemed to be out of control, causing head trauma and/or drowning guardrails - it narrow!, because i was too busy fearing for my life stopped several times to the. It was, because i was too busy fearing for my life way, you will see a sign the. Shoot.The sky is looking like a roof that has no end.Loved it!!. Compare to the road dept doesnt have a warning sign a big wave can come at any moment and... That is safe get properly fitted the next time i comment ( the blowhole we got a bit lost there.