Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. Personally, I hated every second of this excursion only because we didn't care to consider why most before us had chosen to turn around before Kahekili Hwy. We were staying in Kihei and drove up to Lahaina to see the sights. BeachSearcher!Victoria beach 23 After the nail biter one mile of narrow road where I luckily didnt meet an oncoming car, I stopped for a smoothie at Kahakuloa Village, and sat and just took in the view. Those vivid blue waters met with Mauis rustic northwest coastline. Youll start to see undisturbed beaches with rocky shores. The water can push over the natural pools wall and when it recedes it can pull you overboard and into the ocean. King Kahekili was king on Maui in the mid-1700s. Thats why the hill is known as Kahekilis Leap (just like Black Rock in Kaanapali). Do happy you took the drive as I think its SO much better than the road to Hana! It's scary! Dont play loud music you will want to hear the beeps of oncoming traffic (see above). The 51 miles of Hana Highway start in Kahului (where the airport is) and travel past the hippie surf town of Paia, . Those who say it's not dangerous are stupid so your review is very accurate. The last part of the ride is much easier. Just be careful on the bends, they're blind and other drivers come out of nowhere. Also, you can look farther ahead to see oncoming traffic. Youll understand once you do it. Be sure to stop in the village and rest for a while. The Road to Hana has unique attractions like the black sand beach (Honokalani Beach within the Waianapanapa State Park) and more waterfalls. MLS# 394591. When I travel, I find the cheapest rental car rates at RentalCars.com. It's simply stunning! If youre hungry at all, youve gotta do Braddah Chics Stop! Hi, we are Agnes & Chris! 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. Scenic but not for the sissies and shouldnt be attempted by novice drivers! These are my favorite water shoes that travel with me every time I go to Hawaiior anywhere else for that matter! Punalau Beach looks gorgeous! At the end of Highway 30, the excellent road gives way to a simple asphalt road that narrows and becomes very narrow and winding. If you decide to go on this exciting adventure, drive from west to east (clockwise direction). And it would help if you were a good driver who has experience driving on mountain roads. But did you get to stop by and view the views? I love the idea of going west to east so that you dont have to be on the outside of the road. Kahekili Highway (also known as Hawaii Route 340) is a notoriously narrow and winding county-maintained road that runs along the northern coastline of West Maui. 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. thevanescape.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Wow, this looks like an amazing drive with such breathtaking scenery! Route 340 is a road for adventurous types who like high adrenaline levels. You might just feel like youve got the area to yourself! We give you ready itineraries, hints, and essential tools to prepare you for your unforgettable lifetime journey. Look out your window and there is no guard rail and 1000's of feet to the bottom of a ravine or the ocean. Its a fun drive with some areas of danger and not an easy one but an experience for those who like danger and challenges. Regardless, this area has a one-mile stretch where cars cannot pass. It had a completely different vibe than the rest of the island. Drive very carefully, obeying all rules and road signs. Not so sure about the blind corners, no guardrails, and possibility of falling rocks! Kahakuloa Head looks gorgeous, I would defo make a stop there to soak in the views. Al of a sudden I let out a gasp I wasnt sure when it exactly happened but I was on a one lane road going around hairpin turns. Quality water shoes with traction are imperative for this adventure! But youre rewarded with a lush waterfall in the West Maui Mountains! I'm here to help you enjoy the outdoors! Makaluapuna Point is also known as Dragons Teeth. We stopped for frozen chocolate covered Bananas. This looks like it will be a good option for snorkeling for us. There is a hiking trail to the blowhole if youre up for the adventure! Not kidding, there were no guard rails. Coming in at 4 miles, 1600+ feet in elevation gain and rated as moderate, the Waihee Ridge Trail is one of the most scenic spots along the north shore. Its the same gorgeous blue water youre used to in Hawaii only without the loads of tourists. There are no waterfalls or places to see. On our trip to Hana, and beyond to Kipahulu, we drove back to West Maui on Piilani Highway. Its named after the Ohai plant, one of the many species youll find along the trail. 36 and Hwy. Theres no shade on this trail. Kahekili Highway (Hawaii Route 340) is a single-lane paved road framed by rocks on one side and sheer cliffs on the other. There is also a short paved trail, the Overlook Trail, leading to a headland where you can see sweeping views of the rugged coastline. If youre looking for a great way to experience Maui thats a little safer, opt for Road to Hana. Amazing opportunity to own 5 Acres of luscious land in Hana, with views and a Water Meter! Its a beautiful and spectacular drive! Theres not a viewing point per se for this, but there are spots to pull off the side of the road, especially as you approach them. Hubby and I don't want to drive a car on this road, but would scooters be a good choice? Hope everyone realizes that driving this road in a rental car, invalidates your rental contract. Elle n'a vraisemblablement que peu envier la beaucoup plus clbre route d'Hana (qu'on se rserve pour plus tard). Ended up needing a massage the next day, no surprise here, the masseuse commented on "how tense" I was.DON'T DO IT. please advice. 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. 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. 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. The locals sometimes call this road the Death Highway, so please take our warnings seriously. If you encounter a vehicle, you or the other person will have to reverse until the road gets wider. Are you so ready to hit the road? Great for you all thrill seeks. 1759 to 1779 - Kalani'opu'u of the Big Island captured and held power over Hana. Be careful because the water hits full force if you want to get closer.The rocks are very slippery. We got a later start than we'd anticipated but still ended up taking this highway less traveled. Both you and your camera can get wet. Most cars head that way, and youll be driving along the side of the mountain, not the cliffs. What an interesting drive. Save it for later or share it on social media! Your Maui posts are really very informative and create an urge to visit Maui soon. 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. The road hugs the sea cliffs and is very narrow (often just one lane), with many blind curves and no guard rails. (The other is the crater at the top of Haleakala .) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'm Sherry, a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveler. 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. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. New weight limit 16 tons. I have yet to travel there, but this route is incredible. Courtyard by Marriott Maui Kahului Airport, View all hotels near Kahekili Highway on Tripadvisor, View all restaurants near Kahekili Highway on Tripadvisor, Hotels near Haleakala Highway (Crater Road), Hotels near Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Hana Highway - Road to Hana: Tickets & Tours, Haleakala Highway (Crater Road): Tickets & Tours, Coral Island Half-day Tour from Pattaya including Lunch, Punta Cana (PUJ) TRANSFER to FINEST PUNTA CANA EXCELLENCE COLLECTION ROUND TRIP, Traditional Private Geisha Experience/Dinner Show in Tokyo, Fukagawa District, Kauai's Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure, Spanish Flamenco Show in Puerto de la Cruz. Can you imagine if theres no automatic car when driving this road? 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. Especially dangerous is the stretch of highway between mile markers 6.9 and 16.3, where the changeover from state to county maintenance occurs in Maui. 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. So we share our tips on what to do and how to prepare for this scenic and thrilling drive. Wish I read this beforehand but you nailed the description of that drive. All photos are also ours. It is quite beautiful, but kind of scary! Cheers! Many people, ourselves included, consider the Hana Highway to continue beyond Hana to the Oheo Gulch, or even beyond that to Upcountry Maui via Hwy. All content (c) TheVanEscape 2019-2023 - if you would like to use any of them, please use our Contact Form. The Scenic Route from West Maui to Central or Upcountry Maui: The Kahekili Highway The usual road from west Maui to Wailuku is the Honoapiilani Highway (Hwy. Stop only in designated areas. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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 drive itself can be done in a couple of hours without stops. When my family and I got back to Ka'anapali to grab dinner (we didn't find anything edible for breakfast or lunch on the Kahekili Hwy, shocker), we couldn't even eat it we were so strung out from the drive. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Or are you thinking the Road to Hana is a better alternative for you? One of the top things to do on Maui is driving the Road to Hana. She of course said she loved it! Ultimately this stretch of road was named after a brazen Hawaiian ruler, Kahekili. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I loved the Kahekili highway and nearby places. It is a long and difficult drive on a narrow winding mountain road. Highway 340 is the county maintained portion of a loop road around the northwest portion of Maui. Brilliant suggestion, beautifully described. Undoubtedly, the Kahekili Highway is more challenging, dangerous, strenuous, wilder, and less touristy than the Road to Hana. There are not guardrails - it is narrow, and many locals and surfers drove much faster than I remembered this time. The drive Kahekili Highway is more exciting, but it is also scarier at the same time. To complete the full West Maui loop, take Highway 30 back. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. And of course, written details are below in this post! The rocky shoreline is a dangerous spot to be out of control, causing head trauma and/or drowning. It will take you about 10 minutes to walk to pebble beach. Dress comfortably for the trip. There are no gas stations along the way, so make sure you have enough gas. Theres a lot of privately owned land and undeveloped coastline. Note: Bridges in italics belong to the County of Maui. Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. We went counter clockwise and saw the blowhole from a distance, so beautiful! Your email address will not be published. Ottsworld is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This is one of the most beautiful bays on the west coast of Maui. I absolutely fell in love with it there and it was pretty nail-biting to do in a carby yourself! When I querried how the other side would know when WE needed to go, there was no answer. The community of Kahakuloa Village is one of the most isolated spots in Maui. First of all, a warning although the name refers to pools, you should not enter or swim in these pools. 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. Its so stunning here! I was thrilled when we got back to 2 lanes. Our goal is to share travel & photo experience and inspire you to outdoor adventures through America. I am taking notes about all of the great stops along the way. Now this was the real deal a road worthy of being called one of the best (and most dangerous) drives in the world. The water coming out of the hole also has a strong breeze, so be careful. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Ended up at Slaughterhouse Beach for a fantastic sunset and I foolishly decided to just keep going. 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. You need a small car because the road is so narrow that you can not drive it with anything bigger. Saw a school bus.later a chopper pilot told us we had been on the forbiden road.forbiden by rental car companies.would like to do it again. For those driving the Road to Hana over the next few months, consider booking Road to Hana tours. 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. !Stunning shoot.The sky is looking like a roof that has no end.Loved it!!! Most testifiers were in support of the affordable housing and highlighted the need for it. 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. Kahekili Highway vs Road to Hana which is better? It certainly looks breathtakingly beautiful, unspoiled, and uncrowded but, I go to Maui to relax so, this road is not for me! Sorry for answering so late. If you want to snorkel, dont forget to pack a Snorkel Set, and Quick-Drying Towel, and check out this detailed guide to the best diving spots in Honolua Bay. , etc. When we go in April, I'm going to go get properly fitted. Enjoy! The Punalau Beach has an incredible lookout along the Honoapiilani Highway. Its a legendary road known for switchbacks, narrow passages, and dangerous road conditions. Hobron Avenue from Hana Highway to the gate at Pier 1, Kahului Harbor (Route 32A) 10. No thanks. Kahekili Highway (Maui) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. Another travelogue from a one time tourist, who thinks they know everything. We drove this road during one of our Maui trips and it is gorgeous! If youre a visual person, this map will help you see the location of the route. I just did this trip a few days ago so I'm writing while is still fresh in my mind. 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. We also like cities by night and tasting local food & wine. 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. Theres still a trail that leads up there, but its too narrow and dangerous. Its a popular snorkeling spot if youre up for spending the day in the water. 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. Privacy Policy & DisclosuresAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Zoom in or tap the icons within the map for more details. This was all I needed to hear to kick my craving for unique experiences into high gear. One of the most picturesque bays in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is stunning! Good call! 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. Au programme : la fantastique route 340 ou Kahekili Highway, qui mne au village de Kahakuloa et la pointe nord de l'le. Its a great place to snorkel. Absolutely beautiful. It will take you about 30 minutes. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Normally the vehicle traveling in the uphill direction has the right of way and the vehicle traveling downhill must yield. The drive Kahekili Highway is more exciting, but it is also scarier at the same time. The downhill traffic on the makai side ALWAYS yields to vehicles traveling uphill on the mauka side. From Lahaina to Wailuku via Kahekili Highway is only 36 miles. We were a mile from the trail head but no, we did not make it in our ridiculous camero rental car. So bring a pair of binoculars. this loop, Slaughterhouse Beach, Olivine Pools. This trail requires good shoes with traction and some endurance. I am amused by some reviews that seem SURPRISED at the quality of this "highway." All I can say is that I drove it by myself, I enjoyed it, and Im alive. I'd love to do this road trip. We love wildlife, off-the-beaten-path places, soaking in hot springs, and van life. Not for the faint of heart. The Kahekili Highway in Maui is one of the most dangerous roads in the world, offering spectacular views of an untouched coastline. By the time you reach Punalau Beach, youve really escaped the crowds of West Maui. We are headed to Maui soon. It is narrower that Hana Highway and similar in many ways. The road to Hana is more rain forest like and more tree canopy covered. A rockslide on the Pali Highway, Kailua bound closed the road redirecting traffic towards Likelike 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 top things to do on Maui in the views Route 30 ) Milepost 41.25 strenuous,,... In Kaanapali ) tasting local food & wine fun drive with some areas of and... 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