This little island along the Maui coast really caught our eye as we drove the road to Hana. I love the palm trees on top. If you’re heading to Maui, I highly recommend this beautiful drive. See my tips for driving the road to Hana.
A View From the Road to Hana
Sheila Beal
6 comments
The road to Hana is a great break from baking in the sun, if you love to explore. I even did the road to Hana on a road bike last year, that was unnerving to say the least. It is a magical ride if you devote the whole day and take your time. Pull off often and explore the open areas. It is beautiful. I like the ride from Kapalua to Wailuku around west Maui too.
Hi Sheila,
The islands name is Alau. There’s an interesting picture of it looking from the ocean side towards the lush Hana coast on page 100 of Maui Revealed.
Along the beach there we also found a sign put up by local residents warning about the dangers of entering the ocean here. Many drownings and near drownings.
As I recall we had a picnic lunch near where you took this photo. Beautiful area.
I also understand that by October the road around the back side of Maui will be reopened after earthquake repairs enabling circumnavigation of Maui’s south end once again.
David
You are right: the road to Hana is not to be missed, as long as you have the time to spend a whole day coming and going. It can’t be done in a rush. We’ve always said that the road to Hana is a destination in itself. Actually arriving in Hana almost seems incidental to the trip.
Bobbie
@ Tim – I bet biking the road to Hana was quite unnerving! You were brave to attempt it. Now about the road from Kapalua to Wailuku, that road is off limits for rental car contracts. I’ve done the drive and it is pretty, but extremely narrow and not designed for heavy through traffic. Here’s the article I wrote about it: https://govisithawaii.com/2007/06/01/beware-of-driving-in-northwest-maui/
@ David – I have all the Revealed Guides except the Maui one. Most of my guides are well out of date, though. I had heard about the road works. I wonder if the repaired road along the south side will be rental car approved. I kind of doubt it.
@ Bobbie – I totally agree that the road to Hana is about the journey and a beautiful one it is!
No, I don’t think it will be rental car approved by the big guys. We usually rent from a local company that doesn’t restrict where you can drive. Of course, if you get stuck back there you’re probably on your own.
Actually what’s being repaired now is the cliff sides. There are many loose rocks that could fall onto the roadway in a couple of places. I think it will still mainly be the same old road.
Here’s the Maui News Article: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/501238.html
David
Hana is great. Check out Red Sand beach if you make the drive out.