Road from Hana around the back-end of the volcano (cars, areas)

[HiloDiver]

Another +1 for CyberCity.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

Yes, there are many dummies who will break rules, but I don't lump all tourist in together with that. For the most part, I enjoy the mix of tourists, because they are usually people WHO WANT TO BE HERE, and come with an attitude of "I want to enjoy myself". I have more of a problem with the guy-next-door-who-hates-his-boss-and-and-wife-and-life-and-is-gona-take-it-out-on-the-next-parking-lot-stall-encounter-he-has" type.

So, for the tourist who wants to do it the smart way, the easy way, the "have fun, prevent problems" way, it is an quick conversation with the car rental company to see what their rules are.

Well said, as always.

[mtnlady]

Most of you are referencing the 'backroad to Hana' and not to drive rental cars there. Is there a better way to go, or is this the only way to get to Hana?

Thanks!

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by mtnlady

Most of you are referencing the 'backroad to Hana' and not to drive rental cars there. Is there a better way to go, or is this the only way to get to Hana?

Thanks!

When people talk about the "road to Hana," they usually mean leaving from Kahului or thereabouts and driving the Hana Highway part or all of the way to Hana. It's a bit of a sketchy road to drive in that it's very narrow and winding. If you find yourself with oncoming cars, you have to know the rules about who backs up to the turnout and lets who go by. It can also be slow moving because of this, and because of the large numbers of tourists who like to drive it.

It is a beautiful drive, with lots of places to stop, hike, go to waterfalls, see beautiful views, and so on. Some folks do it as part of a tour (let a local who knows what they're doing do the driving!). Some drive their rental (there's no problem with this). Most who do the drive turn around and come back the same way they came, ending up back in Kahului.

But if you go all the way to Hana and through the town, the road leads out the other side, wraps around the southern part of the island, and then ends in "upcountry" rather than in Kahului.

So the road folks are talking about now is that second half of the road, the one that is much less traveled.

Hope that helps!

[fumbling]

Originally Posted by newUHprof

But if you go all the way to Hana and through the town, the road leads out the other side, wraps around the southern part of the island, and then ends in "upcountry" rather than in Kahului.

So the road folks are talking about now is that second half of the road, the one that is much less traveled.

Hope that helps!

I made this entire trip about 10 years ago by rental Jeep, and in my opinion the second half of the road less traveled is actually easier without any hairpin curves, with just ordinary "bumpiness" found on any other rural type road, with nothing that remotely requires 4WD...and very spectacular scenery that's different from the first half...I get the impression that the warning about not driving this second half is just to keep visitors away...

[newUHprof]

Originally Posted by fumbling

I made this entire trip about 10 years ago by rental Jeep, and in my opinion the second half of the road less traveled is actually easier without any hairpin curves, with just ordinary "bumpiness" found on any other rural type road, with nothing that remotely requires 4WD...and very spectacular scenery that's different from the first half...I get the impression that the warning about not driving this second half is just to keep visitors away...

Agreed. I think the second half is a much easier drive in lots of ways. I think the problem with rentals is that either (1) it used to be much worse and they just haven't updated their contracts, or (2) they're worried about getting service to you if you get a flat or something way out there. So it's really not a prohibition, but a way to charge you for having trouble way far away from everything.

Also, when we left Hana, the gas station wasn't open yet. And there are *no towns or anything* the whole way. And it's a much longer drive than we anticipated. We pretty much rolled into the gas station at the end of the drive on fumes.

So if you do this: Be prepared to pay for the service if something happens to the car, and get gas in Hana for goodness sake!

[lanormun]

We were just there at the end of Oct. and we took that road and came back the other way. Yes it is still rough but I am not sure if it is as rough as it used to be. There are MANY of those tourist buses on that road now and many many convertibles, we porsche saw a 911 on that road. There was a gal selling her wares just after the ohe'o gulch,(going toward Hana) where there is a National Park visitor center. The road was quite busy. You do on occasions hhhhave to back up or wait to allow traffic to pass But like I said there are tour buses that will take you there if you don't want to take a rental car. Just FYI.

[Bhaalspawn]

This thread needs this link. It contains a narration about the drive and some photos.

Wanderlust » Piilani Highway : Driving the back road to Hana

[larisa.murren]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

This thread needs this link. It contains a narration about the drive and some photos.

Wanderlust » Piilani Highway : Driving the back road to Hana

O my God! It is wonderful! Cannot wait when we will fly to Maui in Dec to find the rental place for us. Thank you very much for sharing!!

[davephan]

This is a pretty old thread, but no one mentioned the fact that car rental companies can track where the rental cars are being driven. I heard of a case where a car was rented in California and driven to Vegas against the contract. The rental company knew because the car was tracked and the renter was fined for the contract violation.