I will be in Maui end May/early June, I will be renting a compact (like a Chevy Aveo), I plan to drive to Hana solo... have a couple of questions.

In terms of dangers (theft of my belongings/robbery/no backup incase of emergency) is it wise to attempt to swim in any of the spots along the way?

I hear the road has been repaired now and is in fair condition for most vehicles, although still very narrow, is circling the entire island starting from Kanaapali at 6am and reaching Kihei in the late eve doable? I know a tow truck costs $1000 there but what are the chances vehicles will get stuck?

The other option I am considering is to just take a tour, costs about $115 or so and this way I get to swim in the pools as well but if possible I would still love to do it at my own pace and admire nature in solitude.

BTW, I plan to do my drive CLOCKWISE starting in Kanaapali so that I will be on the other side of the road away from the cliffside, i'm guessing this will save me the horrors described in the previous thread about backing out towards the edges of cliffs!

BTW, I am viewing the entire road aerially on GOOGLE Earth/Maps and don't find it that bad as the above posters have mentioned, is this an exaggeration? I can see the width of the road as in some shots there are cars and it doesn't appear that bad...from the posts above one would imagine you are driving a car on a tightrope!