We talked to many locals before going on the road, even one lady who lives up the road on the Head. This drive was hands down my favorite part of our visit to Maui. It didnt seem too bad at all in fact it was relaxing. In our. Suppose you do not want to risk taking the Kahekili Highway. The advice on this blog is irresponsible and may ever well lead to a very unhappy ending to your vacation. Recommended Reviews Also known as State Highway 340, it also happens to be one of the most dangerous roads in Maui. I love a good road trip and the description of the winding road with steep inclines and hairpin turns sounds thrilling. Tourists should not be allowed on this road. This is a dangerous place to swim. 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. Anyway, after you pass the parking to walk to the beach, drive up the hill to the overlook. However, we The road had a fresh coat of asphalt and brightly colored lines. Its some of Mauis most gorgeous land. Honestly, if you have to choose just one adventure, it will be difficult! This post contains some affiliate links. First, A Serious Warning One of the most popular stops along the Kahekili Highway, this is a must-do! Scary!! Required fields are marked *. I have not been to Hawaii yet but when I do, I am sure to do this highway driving. 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! You might just feel like youve got the area to yourself! The many twists and turns on the one path of the labyrinth reflect the journey of life, which includes changes of direction, transitions, realization, and completion. I would call me a bit of a timid snorkeler. Not counterclockwise, the RT 30 was closed and apple maps took us to the 340 we had never heard about this road and i had a bad feeling seeing how curvy it was. Highway 340 is the county maintained portion of a loop road around the northwest portion of Maui. Located near mile marker 18 on the Kahekili Highway is the trailhead for 13 Crossings Makamakaole Stream. Related read: 20 Things to Do in Maui on a Budget. I would drive Hana in a heart beat over this any day. Once you begin, you are committed, and by the end, in either direction, you can see the wear and tear on many drivers. What are some good. This drive is not for the timid. Its located on the side of the road right before you pass the Puu Koae. Round trip circumnavigating the north part of Maui takes about 3 hours. Majority of the traffic on the road is locals, so they are experts, you will not have any problems, I dont think we encountered more than 5 vehicles, one being a pickup truck the whole trip so dont listen to the trolls on this blog, who have not even been on the 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 reason? The original trail constructed by Hana's Chief Pi'ilani hundreds of years earlier was finished as a roadway in 1926. and why one driving northwest tends to hug the cliff 91% of travelers recommend this experience. With all the stops we would plan, it would take us a very long day to make this trip. But did you get to stop by and view the views? Road closures in place for King's Runner 10k in Honolulu Banana bread is sold at many roadside stands on the island, including a few convenient spots on the Road to Hana. Especially if youve done the Road to Hana, which has gotten incredibly popular and busy. Large rocks line the coast and it can be hard to keep steady while standing or swimming in the water. There are no guard rails in many areas. Yes this drive isnt for everyone which is why I tried to be honest about it and provide some images about what it looked like. All photos are also ours. This N Ala Hele trail is a great place to stretch your legs. This has the advantage of driving on the inside of the road rather than along the edge. 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. Stop only in designated areas. Hey! Your email address will not be published. Make sure you are not violating the contract of your rental car. I know it will take us most of the day! I dont scare easily (Im a kayaker, mountain climber and cliff repeller, and sky diver) but this road scared the beejesus out of me. There are no gas stations along the way, so make sure you have enough gas. Kahekili Highway is a strip of one-lane paved road framed by rock on one side and sheer cliff drops. Its hazardous. Eventually, West Maui chief Kahekili surrounded him and forced Kalani'opu'u forcing retreat to defenses on Ka'uiki Hill. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. And the weather can also play into it. I sure would love to stop by and take in those landscapes for myself -especially the blowhole. It is truly only one narrow lane and you are on this before you know it. Thank you! There is an excellent viewpoint of the cliffs. Hey Maui Post some frickin signs. I can't wait to drive through the Kahekili Highway now - this guide has bumped this experience high up on my list. The other reviewers are right - the scenery (when you stop and take it in) is SPECTACULAR. Check out their prices for a Hawaiian road trip! 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. Kahekili Highway: Road to Hana on steroids! Those vivid blue waters met with Mauis rustic northwest coastline. This was not a relaxing or pleasant way to spend time on vacation. Youll be glad you did! But you need at least 4-5 hours to enjoy the scenery and see the highlights on the Kahekili Highway. 340). Quality water shoes with traction are imperative for this adventure! Today. None of them compare to the intense ride (both shear fright and beauty) that this road provides. Gorgeous photos! The interesting part starts when leaving Keokea. The downhill traffic on the makai side ALWAYS yields to vehicles traveling uphill on the mauka side. We were staying in Kihei and drove up to Lahaina to see the sights. It sounds like the perfect adventure for your next trip to Maui!! Cheers! The last picture I took that night; dark, raw and unedited. Maui Snorkeling Molokini Crater Uncrowded, Unhurried. So you have no excuse to travel on this road. For more info, see mydisclosures. It is dangerous and I cant believe the road dept doesnt have a warning sign. Youll start to see undisturbed beaches with rocky shores. It's dangerous! Papanahoa Stream Bridge on Kahekili HIghway (Route 30) Milepost 41.25. , etc. 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. DO NOT DRIVE THIS ROAD - It is not enjoyable. It's scary! Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 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. It is a demanding, tiring and stressful way. Yes, its a beautiful no, stunning stretch of road along northwest Maui. New weight limit 15 tons. 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. Thanks for sharing. Your experience with your smoothie was not Zen, if you think so, you have no idea what Zen is. And this part is challenging and can be scary and dangerous. Highway 340 represents exactly what I love most about Hawaii its not hard to find peace and solitude on the islands which are one of the most popular tourist destinations around. This is one of the most exciting attractions of the Kahekili Highway. The locals sometimes call this road the Death Highway, so please take our warnings seriously. I absolutely fell in love with it there and it was pretty nail-biting to do in a carby yourself! We would at least like to go that far. Seriously though, Kahekili Hwy should not be confused with "The Road to Hana," a popular tourist activity on the island of Maui. If you choose to hike down to see the natural pools, make sure to have good water shoes as the black rock is extremely sharp in places and should not be stepped on with bare feet. I'm Nikki. We only describe the places we have been to, which we know and recommend without hesitation. King Kahekili was said to leap 200 feet down to the water from this hill in the mornings before eating breakfast, from a spot called Kahekilis Leap.. :-). It sounds perfect for us! She drove it one time and said never, ever again! Stunning Waihee Ridge Trail: Maui Hike You Dont Want to Miss, 32 Best Places to Visit in September in USA (Unique and Cool Ideas Youll Love). 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. Many areas around Kahekili Highway and Maui Highway 340 areprivately owned and not accessible by tourists. Undoubtedly, the Kahekili Highway is more challenging, dangerous, strenuous, wilder, and less touristy than the Road to Hana. An SUV is not required. We do not recommend the Kahekili Highway for everyone. Find this post helpful? Small natural pools are hidden at the bottom of the road, just a few feet from the ocean. For those driving the Road to Hana over the next few months, consider booking Road to Hana tours. This is one of the most beautiful bays on the west coast of Maui. The scenery was phenomenal. Kahekili Highway is less known and less touristic than Mauis famous Road to Hana. Most cars head that way, and youll be driving along the side of the mountain, not the cliffs. This one-lane highway has been ranked as one of the most dangerous roads in the world time and time again. We drove Kahekili Highway with our kids years ago. But to get to the cove you will have to wander through magical forests Honolua Park. The road to Hana is more rain forest like and more tree canopy covered. Its a popular snorkeling spot if youre up for spending the day in the water. Kahekili highway sounds like one adventure! Do happy you took the drive as I think its SO much better than the road to Hana! There are no waterfalls or places to see. Ha! 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. Take your time if you go. Hi Sherry, I truly enjoyed reading this in-depth blog and gained valuable insights from it. I have yet to travel there, but this route is incredible. . I was excited and scared at the same time. The drive along the Kahekili Highway looks just like my kind of ride. I honestly cannot tell you where it was, because I was too busy fearing for my life! Its a great place to snorkel. I have drove dune buggy trails in the Utah canyon lands, mountain roads in Colorado, apachie trail in Arizona and mountain roads in North Carolina. I had scooted up on the edge of my seat, hands at 2 and 10, knuckles white from gripping the steering wheel intensely, and my nose was practically on the front window trying to peer over the cars hood. . She of course said she loved it! Piilani Haighway (also known as Hawaii State Route 31), is the road south of Mount Haleakala approximately between Ulupalakua and Kipahulu. The gorgeous Maui waterfall is nestled amidst lush tropical foliage and cascades 80 ft in two streams, making it the most photographed waterfall on Maui. This road is called Highway 340, but it is better known as the Kahekili Highway. Stopped several times to admire the beauty and buy some goodies at the stands. If you want to show reverence for this land, you will not follow this amateurs advice. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Theres still a trail that leads up there, but its too narrow and dangerous. The Ohai Loop Trail is an excellent short hike on the north side of West Maui. Road to Hana, Black Sand Beach, Waterfalls 2-Hour Whale Watching Experience! Karen Lei's gallery is a great stop. She stated the road was repaired and is a great drive. One of the most picturesque bays in Hawaii, Honolua Bay is stunning! 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. We are so glad youre here! King Kahekili was king on Maui in the mid-1700s. Pinterest. With my vacation coming to an end it was my last chance to say I drove around the whoe island so I took the plunge and went. And whats not to love this part of Maui was certainly unique and it felt untouched. The Kahekili Highway starts at the bottom of the gulch facing Honokhau Bay, taking over from the Honoapiilani Highway. Never Again. Ah so cool Yvonne! The road climbed out of the village of Kahakuloa and into ranch country with wide vistas of green pastures. Enjoyed reading this in-depth blog and gained valuable insights from it to your vacation and not by! The intense ride ( both shear fright and beauty ) that this road State Highway 340, but Route! 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Enjoy the scenery ( when you stop and take it in ) is SPECTACULAR vacation! Insights from it to enjoy the scenery and see the sights taking the Kahekili Highway and.
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