Most recently done this drive a year ago and am going again, personally find it much more beautiful then the road to Hana (I think its overrated). The parts where you have to honk all the way around the corner so the car on the other side knows you're coming is no fun and rather nerve wrecking, but the sheer windswept beauty of the landscape and the views are well worth it. It also lets you access the Kipahulu entrance to Haleakala National Park most people seem to miss(?)

After going on the road to Hana a few times, I only go by Piilani Highway to Kipahulu and come back the same way... Or counterclockwise is also nice, as the drive is so long if you do it in one day most of the way back it would get dark so you need to prioritize