Originally Posted by
bocastephen
I think any reasonably skilled driver who does their due diligence on Saddle Rd driving should be fine - except if the fog rolls in. The section from Mamalahoa up through Parker Ranch can get socked in so thick, you almost have to just slow to a crawl and pick your way through, feeling as you go to make sure you don't fall off the road.
[Not good for a novice, but outside of those extreme conditions, a good driver should be fine.
While you are probably right, I've seen too many mainlanders who haven't adjusted to driving realities and speeds in Hawaii and who are "on a schedule." Combine that with the nasty shape of the road on the western end, the locals who also drive it way-too-fast (but who generally know where the worst spots are), and the possible effects of lingering altitude sickness and I think a conservative approach is not unjustified.
I'm not sure where the OP is staying, but why not consider a Mauna Kea sunset tour which includes a hosted drive along Saddle to a sheep ranch for dinner, a drive to the Summit for sunset, then a drive back to the visitors center for some stargazing - and you're drive right back to town.
I think that's a very good suggestion.