thegrover Loc: Yorba Linda, CA

Do the complete loop and visit the small church where Charles Lindbergh is buried. https://roadtohana.com/palapala-hoomau-church.php

Wasper

Looks beautiful! We would love to do the whole loop but are still undecided at this point. We understand that most car rental companies discourage or do not allow you to do the backside of Hana but also know that there must be a lot of people that do it anyway.

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

We've driven to Hana a couple of times, flown out there once (I rented a plane and it was one of the touch and goes on the trip) and we took a bus tour the last time we were in Maui (and the bus went all the way around the island). A few thoughts...

1. The Road to Hana is posted as 15 mph. There's a reason for that. Don't be in a hurry, it won't do you any good. Kick back and enjoy the scenery.

2. The south side of the island is taboo for rental cars because there is a long stretch were tow trucks will not go to pick you up. Or so claimed the bus driver. The road itself was fine, I wouldn't hesitate to drive a car on it, much less a Jeep. And I have a Jeep Wrangler, so I'm quite familiar with what they can and can't do.

3. You won't need the ground clearance of the Jeep for the road around the island, but there may be some parking areas at some beaches where you will appreciate it. We did earlier this month on Kauai. Never did need 4WD, but the ground clearance was nice.

4. As others have suggested, leave for the drive early to enjoy the sunrise.

5. Go to the top of Haleakala and enjoy the view. At lease, if there is one. We've been up when it was clear and we've been up when you had a great view of the inside of a cloud. Choose wisely.

6. There is also a distillery on Maui. If you like vodka or rum, they make "Organic" versions. Interesting tour and the vodka is in a unique shaped bottle.

Most importantly, kick back, relax and have a great time. We've been to Hawaii over 20 times over the years and now do as little as we can get away with each time we are there. It is a vacation (yeah, I know, we're retired and every day is a vacation) and the whole idea is to recharge.

Wasper

Thanks so much for the info! We really don't want to be in a hurry which is why we plan on taking two days for it. When I said we have already rented a Jeep I guess I should have specified that it is a Jeep Wrangler like you have. The fact that you have taken the Wrangler around the whole island is nudging me in the direction of doing the whole loop. It's really what we would like to do. We will see what happens.

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

We haven't taken a Wrangler around the island, that was a bus tour. But, if a tour bus (not a big one) can make it, a Jeep should have no problem. We had the Jeep earlier this month on Kauai.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

We have driven the Road to Hana twice. Once, MANY years ago before it became THE PLACE TO GO. That trip was great, little traffic, empty road side places to pull off, places to park at the pools. Great! Several years later after it WAS DISCOVERED, we found the traffic insane, nearly had a head-on-colllision with a fool passing unsafely. Had crowded road and parking conditions. The scenery is worth the trip but prepare yourself. Leave early, don't get in a rush and watch for insane drivers. I read about staying along the way overnight and if your schedule permits that might take off some of the pressure on you.

Wasper

Wasper

Thanks, cambriaman! We have read about the insane traffic that sometimes occurs on this road. My wife keeps drilling in me about how careful we need to be.

GrandmaG Loc: Flat Rock, MI

We were there in 2008; but didn’t take the road to Hana because the car rental place would’ve penalized us if we took it. They would be able to tell because of the red dirt on the tires.

So, instead, we went to Haleakala...a winding road up the mountain to the site of the dormant volcano. Worth the trip.

davefales Loc: Virginia

Bud the Birdman is an acquired taste for sure, but we had a few good laughs with him. Some people are put off by his shtick, but we went with the flow and enjoyed him.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60630-d559809-i1611287-Garden_of_Eden_Arboretum_Botanical_Garden-Hana_Maui_Hawaii.html

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I was there just this summer. Obviously you want to drive along the north eastern border thru the rain forests, and stop at various waterfall sites. There is a large park near the end which is not to be missed.
Don't forget your camera.
The road is narrow and curvy with frequent single lane bridges so WATCH OUT for oncoming traffic. Tuck in your driver side mirror, since passing some people will be very very close.

SonyBug

I drove it all the way around and it is perfectly navigable 4 years ago. If you look carefully at the western area, it looks like there is a farm road that would let you cut thru to Lahaina without going all the way east then doubling back. Check google earth.

levinton

This is a fully paved road to Hana if you come from the north. The lava tube caves near Hana are very cool and interesting for photography. It is easy to stop by the iconic falls, but mostly the road is very curvy, crossing numerous small bridges, every turn a lovely sight. Once you get to Hana, you have the issue of continuing onward along a sandy and sometimes muddy road back along the SW side of the island, or returning back along a very curvy paved road (the way you came). We went the sandy route and it turned out fine but we were concerned a lot of the way.
Watching the surfing teens on the north shore is really a great sight. Eat at Mama's Fish House - a tourist joint but really has good food and fun. And if you can, climb the mountain road to Haleakala and see the amazing view below to the crater (spectacular landscape for photographs) and the silverswords at the top. Before any of this, think of a whale watching trip to the greatest humpback whale location in the world near Lahaina. Too much for a two day trip. You will have to come back.

bigguytf

I took a bus, great trip. One thing no one seemed to mention is there is a pretty good chance you will experience rain so prepare for it.

ras422 Loc: Virginia

For your 10th anniversary I would suggest mama’s fish house Maui—google it ____absolutely fantastic restaurant!!!