Wasper

My wife and I are leaving Friday for our once in a lifetime 10th Anniversary trip to Hawaii. One of the many places we will be going is on the Road to Hana. Obviously we won't have time to stop everywhere on this road. I was wondering if anybody has been on this trip and could help me to determine the best places to stop on this road and explore for photography. We have already rented a Jeep to drive the road ourselves. I realize different people will have different opinions about what to see but any information would be greatly appreciated.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You've probably seen already the mile by mile description at this link?
https://roadtohana.com/sights.php

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I did the entire Road to Hana on a bus! Our driver was fabulous, and I am glad I chose that course. Many car rental companies have an exception for the Road to Hana, so check yours out -- if you have a mishap, you may be liable for it even if your other coverage is in place.

Note that some places, as scenic as they may be, do not offer places to stop. This site has a number of great places to stop, as does this one. I took a photo at Keanae Peninsula that has received great reviews and has even been purchased!

Please note that I said I took the ENTIRE road. Near the tip of the island the road becomes near unnavigable, and many intrepid motorists give up and turn around. Caveat emptor!

Wasper

Yes, I've seen something similar that gives those descriptions and this is one of the better ones I've seen which is great so thanks. My problem is there are so many places I would love to see but won't have the time to do them all. My wife and I have listed some of the places we would like to see but some of the reviews of the trip say certain things are not worth stopping for while others say they are. I'm sure any place we stop would be breathtaking and great to photograph but was just wondering what the people here on Hedgehog have to say about their experience on this road.

Dr.Nikon Loc: Honolulu Hawaii

Road to Hanna ... leave at 5am ...! I’ve been so many times ...catch the sunrise on the way up and the sunset hues on the way back ...

There are not many places to stop and take photos . But we stopped anyway .....like every bend in the road is another beautiful view ..there isn’t a lot of places to stop ....so be careful ...on the way up .. remember the spots you saw on the way up that give you an opportunity to pull over and take a shot ..my rather stood up on a convertible mustang and got shots ...you rented a Jeep .. if the top is down .. you can stand up on the seat and shoot ...or if another is driving .. stand up and hang onto the roll cage and shoot as you go ..

The best advise ...leave at 5 am take your time ...that way you can spend time at the falls and not be rushed ...you won’t get back til 5pm ...yep 12 hours ...Prepare the night before with a styrofoam cooler /ice/drinks and sandwiches ....hats / suntan lotion and let ur rip ...

Aloha ...

Wasper

Thanks for the links and the info Fred. We thought about doing the tour bus but decided we would rather drive ourselves so we could choose the stops we wanted to make and spend as much time as we wanted. I have read that many car rental companies won't allow you to drive the entire road (backside of Hana) so that might be out but that will be okay.

Wasper

Thanks for the information and advice. We are so excited! We have read that it is best to go as early as possible to get ahead of the crowd. We have decided to make this a two day trip because we are doing a cruise to get to several of the islands. We will be in port in Maui for two days. Unfortunately, we don't get into port the first day until 8:00 am so that is why we decided to make it a two day trip. We will be able to get an earlier start on the second day before needing to get back to the cruise ship. Aloha!

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Q

Just a suggestion for your first day: The only winery on the islands that I know of is on Maui. Here is the link- https://mauiwine.com/
And there is also a goat farm called Surfing Goat Dairy that has tours and cheese tastings. The goats are hilarious to watch and even more fun to photograph. Link- http://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/index.html
Both of these are easy driving and you could visit both in an afternoon. Then if you still have time, you could take a tour of the Lavender Farm too. Link- https://www.aliikulalavender.com/#/
Lots of photo ops at the gardens there.

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

One of the upsides of taking a van/bus (and no, I'm not being paid to say this) is that the drivers/tour companies have determined the best locations for you. A plus, at least in my experience, was that we stopped along the way for juice, coffee, fruit, etc., and had a lunch buffet at the upscale Travaasa Hana resort!

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Which road to Hana are you talking about? The northern route starting at Kahului and going to Hana? Or the southern route? The northern route is paved and a good road with no rental car restrictions. It is a very winding road which crosses countless small bridges. I have taken it multiple times. There are places you can pull over, but most of the road lacks such places. I have never encountered lots of people in Maui. Hana is rather laid back and doesn't offer much in the way of commercial attractions. One thing to watch for is how many Mongoose you can spot while driving. They scoot across the road periodically and you are likely to see them wherever you pull over.

The southern route is bad at times, and paved at other time. This the route the car rental companies don't want you to take. But it seems better now than it used to be.

Another route that is even more extreme to the loop around the northwest portion of the island. I have done it twice. And that is enough. I am not going to do it again. It is also not rental car approved and is far worse than the southern Hana road. In many places, it is one lane and the seaward side is a long ways down if you should go off the road. You may also have to back up on the one lane dirt road quite a ways incase you meet traffic coming the other way. My worst case obstacle happened to be a school bus on that road where I had to find a tiny spot where the road was just a few feet wider and I got off the road as far I could go while the school bus went flying by me at far too fast a speed. Also encountered a native Hawaiian in a pickup truck that seemed to have absolutely zero patience with tourists driving on his road. He seemed to delight in challenging rental cars to a game of chicken. Actually, I don't advise this road. It is just too dangerous. But if you are going clockwise around that loop, you can go quite a ways on a paved road before it gets bad. That portion of the loop is quite nice to drive.

One hightlight is the trip to Haleakala at 10,023 feet. I have done it twice. Once going up in the middle of the night and to see the dark sky and then the morning sunrise. Very, very, cold, but beautiful. The other to go up in the afternoon and to see the sunset. Also beautiful, but it sure gets cold fast once that sun sets. There is a native plant that grows up there called SilverSword. Beautiful, but don't touch. It is protected and you are not allowed to mess with it.

There are a lot of very beautiful beaches and many have very few people. The road going south from Wailea is one such place to look for these beaches.


Great place to go on vacation! Have a good time.

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

Some suggestions - many of them have already been mentioned by others.

Highway 340, Kahekili Highway - DEATH ROAD OF MAUI

Nakalele Blowhole

Iao Valley (get there by day break by the Iao needle for great photo ops)

Along the road to Hana - Pa'iloa Ba; lava tubes

Along the road to Hana - Waianapanpa State Park black sand beach.

Oheo gulch - many water falls and bamboo forest

The road back on the south side of Hana is exciting and thrilling to drive - just make sure you don't drive back late in the evening as the sun is going down. You'll be facing the sun in your eyes on steep curvy roads with a drop to the ocean at certain spots on your left, rather challenging. We liked it so much we ended up driving this south road three times.

If interested PM me and I'll send you a link to my Maui album.

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

Just a little bit of advice from the Trip Advisor on the DEATH ROAD OF MAUI, and I agree with one of the reviewers -- only go in the clockwise direction!!! And better yet -- DON'T DO IT!!!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60631-d3535066-r351450942-West_Maui_Circle_Drive-Kahului_Maui_Hawaii.html

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

The road to Hana is a driving experience many will never forget. My recommendation is to take a bus tour and enjoy the view. The driver will not have a chance to see the beautiful view as he needs to keep both eyes on the road. For many years I've suggested to my friends and family is to take the bus in one direction and when you are ready to leave Hana take the helicopter in the other direction. The bus driver knows where to stop for you to take pictures.

Another scenic drive which you can really enjoy is the trip around the northern or head of Maui, from Kapalua to Wailuku. If you decide to do this and you are going in the afternoon you will want to drive from the west side (Lahaina) to Wailuku to keep the sun out of your eyes when driving. This will also allow you to see Iao Needle and many other enjoyable scenic spots i.e. Haleakala Crater.

The main thing is "Be Safe".

Lieb Loc: Idaho

I’ve been to Maui twice in recent years. I’ve driven the road to Hana twice including the unpaved section. The road has been greatly improved and, in my opinion, driving it is no big deal.

I grew up driving the mountains of northern Wyoming so this may have influenced my perception of driving this road. If you are a flat lander, your opinion may be different.

At any rate, I think we can agree that this is one of the most beautiful spots on earth. We stayed in a cottage on a flower 🌸 plantation near Hana and enjoyed it much more than the resort areas. It was much more peaceful without so many people. Taking two days is a good idea. You’ll love it.

Hana is where the author of the novel “Hawaii” chose to live while he wrote the book.

ras422 Loc: Virginia

There is a phone app that guides you while driving. Stop at the rainbow eucalyptus grove and also the garden of eden worth the money to go thru. Good view from there of the rock formation used in filming Jurassic Park have fun. After going to the volcano for sunrise stop at the kula lodge restaurant for breakfast have a great trip. Rich