The Kahekili Highway (Hawaii state highway 340) lives in the shadow of it's big well-known brother - the Road to Hana. Its the same gorgeous blue water youre used to in Hawaii only without the loads of tourists. 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. If youre wanting to make this stop quick or are traveling with young kids, just going to the overlook is adequate. So as you travel the road to Hana keep in mind that this area was the cornerstone of an ancient struggle to control all of the Hawaiian group of islands. So not many people visit this part of Maui. via To-Hawaii. Anyway, after you pass the parking to walk to the beach, drive up the hill to the overlook. Oh you are right, the kahekili highway is a hidden gem. We waded through the water to get a bit closer and thats when it really hit. This road is so dangerous because of the imbeciles driving like maniacs, with no regard for other people on the road. I seriously want to go back just getting the photos ready for this article. I told her both my husband and I are terrified of heights. Watch. more. Cheers! 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. Find the trailhead for the Ohai Trail between mile markers 40 and 41. Just be careful on the bends, they're blind and other drivers come out of nowhere. It is believed that Kahakuloa Head was one of King Kahekilis favorite places to cliff jump. Kahekili Highway is different from the Road to Hana. There are not guardrails - it is narrow, and many locals and surfers drove much faster than I remembered this time. Dont play loud music you will want to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic (see above). This guide will walk you through exactly what to do along the way and the necessary precautions youll need to make if you dare to explore this area.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'inspiredroutes_com-box-4','ezslot_9',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-inspiredroutes_com-box-4-0'); Its a fun road trip is around the entire side of West Maui! 7. Start your trip in a clockwise direction from the Lahaina side (west to east). Not for the faint of heart. 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. 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. All of the negative reviews focus on the portion of road roughly between the Nakalele Blowhole and Waihee. I was on top of a rocky cliff and could see for miles as little clouds that looked like cotton balls dotted the sky. So bring a pair of binoculars. 95% of travelers recommend this experience. Because of this post, now Im keeping this line in mind. From here, youll start to approach the narrowest and most dangerous part of the Kahekili Highway. Round trip circumnavigating the north part of Maui takes about 3 hours. Cool! The road climbed out of Kahakuloa Village and went into ranch land with sweeping vistas of green pastures. Its available to everyone, although only to be used with extreme caution. This ones really for the adventurous soul. Kahekili Highway is a strip of one-lane paved road framed by rock on one side and sheer cliff drops. There were fatal accidents along the Kahekili Highway. The internet is replete with this kind of nonsense. 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. There are hairpin turns, scenic lookouts, and narrow one-lane bridges. Oh, and the roads are still very narrow the next 5 miles or so. If you arent settled yet on where youll stay on Maui, here are a few options, including some of my favorite spots! The bay has also been recognized by todays Hawaii as an area of significant cultural, historical, and ecological value. I'd love to do this road trip. Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. The road has sheer drop offs on one side and a rock wall on the other side. They are based on patterns that are thousands of years old and have roots in many cultures and traditions. The reason? Drive from Lahaina to Waihee so that you are on the inside when/if you pass another car on the narrow bits. Your email address will not be published. We stopped for frozen chocolate covered Bananas. Best banana bread on the planet from a roadside stand. There is also a very nice art gallery or two along the way. Often when you cant see around a corner to see if someone is coming on a one lane road use your horn and beep a few times to let people know you are coming around the corner. She stated the road was repaired and is a great drive. Kahekili Highway (Maui) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. For a few more miles theres a dividing line in the highway, then the real driving adventure begins! Its so stunning here! You can get dizzy and nauseous on this stretch. Scary!! The road conditions were quite good, unlike some of the southern sections of the road to Hana near Kaupo. Theres a lot of privately owned land and undeveloped coastline. Road closures in place for King's Runner 10k in Honolulu The Road to Hana has unique attractions like the black sand beach (Honokalani Beach within the Waianapanapa State Park) and more waterfalls. Theres a fairly large parking area at the Nakalele Blowhole so you cant miss this one! This drive was hands down my favorite part of our visit to Maui. I think I would find that one lane road a bit stressful! From Lahaina to Wailuku via Kahekili Highway is only 36 miles. So you have no excuse to travel on this road. 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. The icons on the map are some of the recommended stops and things to do while taking a road trip along part of the Kahekili Highway. Oh, and dont forget the ocean-safe sunblock. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. These reviews are the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. But for the purposes of this guide, were going to cover the space on the northwest coast between Kapalua and Waihee-Waiehu. Born on Maui in the 1700s, he ruled all of Maui Nui, and then went onto conquer Oahu, Lanai and Kauai, according to legend. 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. So be extremely careful. I don't recommend this drive as you are not able to trust the drivers coming the other way. 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. 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. Some like the adventure, some like the beach to each his/her own. We talked to many locals before going on the road, even one lady who lives up the road on the Head. I read about the road and of what I understand, il seems to be a very beautifull road to discover if we're carefull and we take our time. 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. If youre a visual person, this map will help you see the location of the route. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. So stop at the little hut just before Honolulu Bay and grab some fresh coconuts, shave ice, fruit or drinks and be on your way. . Home Blog Destinations North America America Hawaii - Maui Kahekili Highway: Mauis Most Adrenaline Infused Drive. It certainly looks breathtakingly beautiful, unspoiled, and uncrowded but, I go to Maui to relax so, this road is not for me! 1759 to 1779 - Kalani'opu'u of the Big Island captured and held power over Hana. . First of all, a warning although the name refers to pools, you should not enter or swim in these pools. What to wear and what to pack for the Kahekili Highway trip? These commissions help reduce the costs of running this site. 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.. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. You can drive the road to Hana yourself, or take a tour in a van . And this part is challenging and can be scary and dangerous. I also cannot recommend enough starting your Road to Hana drive early so you can safely explore and take in the scenery on the way home. For more info, see mydisclosures. The hike itself is beautiful and short, but rocky and slippery. The locals who live along the road are rightfully frustrated. There are sheer cliffs with 100 ft + drops in some of the areas without guardrails! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Privacy Policy. But unlike the Hana Highway, it's a mystery to most visitors. 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. My family hiked this with hiking shoes and trekking poles, which I recommend, especially if its recently rained. This road reminds me of some of the cliff roads I have been on in Italy and the Alps. - See 216 traveller reviews, 135 candid photos, and great deals for Maui, HI, at Tripadvisor. There is also a short paved trail, the Overlook Trail, leading to a headland where you can see sweeping views of the rugged coastline. First of all, lets just say that using the term highway is generous! 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. This was all I needed to hear to kick my craving for unique experiences into high gear. 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. You could literally hang out here for a day, or just park at the lookout and see it briefly. Your email address will not be published. Hidden gem don't worry about the negative reviews too much! If you liked the drive to Hana, you might enjoy this drive; otherwise, I'd search the web for pictures of what you missed or take a helicopter ride. 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