Consolidated "Road to Hana" thread
#196
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles (Silver), UA Mileage Plus, US Scareways, AA Advantage
Posts: 336
DL757ATL
#197
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, BA (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,963
Lodging for a one night stay
An issue that I had, and one that I have seen a couple of times in this thread, is that it is difficult to find lodging that will allow for only a one night stay. I finally found one here: http://www.hawaii-hana.com/hmvr/Rooms_%26_Rates.html
I am not staying there until next year, so I am making no comment about quality. The price is right, though.
I am not staying there until next year, so I am making no comment about quality. The price is right, though.
#198
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 35
We just did the full road to Hana (all around the east part of the island), and absolutely loved it! We got a late start leaving Wailea (almost 9am) but were back by 8pm. Beyond Hana it's definitely more tedious driving but the Chrysler 300 we had did just fine with all the bumps, potholes, etc.... Very few cars on the back half, but we did encounter a few cows hanging out in the middle of the road.
#199
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 428
Curious, is it advisable to try catching the Haleakala sunrise and then doing the Road to Hana right after the same day?
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
In either case, I had a question about the Haleakala state park entrance fee. I thought I read that you need to pay the fee if you're doing the Road to Hana because part of it passes through the park. Is this true?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
In either case, I had a question about the Haleakala state park entrance fee. I thought I read that you need to pay the fee if you're doing the Road to Hana because part of it passes through the park. Is this true?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
#200
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SGF
Programs: AS, AA, UA, AGR S (former 75K, GLD, 1K, and S+, now an elite peon)
Posts: 23,192
Curious, is it advisable to try catching the Haleakala sunrise and then doing the Road to Hana right after the same day?
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
It actually kind of makes sense, though, to go to Hana after Haleakala, given that you can take a bit of a short cut through Makawao to make it over to the Hana Highway.
In either case, I had a question about the Haleakala state park entrance fee. I thought I read that you need to pay the fee if you're doing the Road to Hana because part of it passes through the park. Is this true?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
#201
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
We did a trip up Haleakala followed by a trip to Hana in one day. It makes for a long-ish day, especially with stops, but it can be done. I seem to recall getting back to Kihei around 7pm (give or take).
It actually kind of makes sense, though, to go to Hana after Haleakala, given that you can take a bit of a short cut through Makawao to make it over to the Hana Highway.
You don't (as far as I ever saw) have to pay the entrance fee to go to Hana. I don't recall if we had to pay the entrance fee to go up the mountain in the early morning. I think we did.
It actually kind of makes sense, though, to go to Hana after Haleakala, given that you can take a bit of a short cut through Makawao to make it over to the Hana Highway.
You don't (as far as I ever saw) have to pay the entrance fee to go to Hana. I don't recall if we had to pay the entrance fee to go up the mountain in the early morning. I think we did.
Personally, I would break it up, and go on different days..
#202
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Traveling some where hopefully
Programs: AS, AA Gold, and Hilton
Posts: 1,954
Curious, is it advisable to try catching the Haleakala sunrise and then doing the Road to Hana right after the same day?
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
In either case, I had a question about the Haleakala state park entrance fee. I thought I read that you need to pay the fee if you're doing the Road to Hana because part of it passes through the park. Is this true?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
I mean, if we're just up at Haleakala for the sunrise (6:30am) I don't envision spending more than a couple hours up there beyond that. Of course, it'll probably be a really long day compacting both in.
In either case, I had a question about the Haleakala state park entrance fee. I thought I read that you need to pay the fee if you're doing the Road to Hana because part of it passes through the park. Is this true?
Also, if we are going to leave at 3am-4am for Haleakala, how/where do we pay the entrance fee? Is anyone around at the park at that time? How does that work?
#204
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Seperating the two excursions would give you extra time to take it all in. There is alot to see.. plus the fatigue of an extra long day will be a factor..
#205
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Seattle
Programs: Hyatt, Marriott, Delta, Alaska
Posts: 636
And Hana is not something one can grasp in an hour. You need to spend some time there to slow down your pace to "old Hawaii" time. Only then can you truly appreciate Hana for the oasis within an oasis that it is.
#206
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Aeroplan Diamond, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 18,686
Will have to try that the next time out..
#208
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 971
If you are going all the way around (west on 31 to 37), you still have to go to Kahului (there hasn't been a road from 31 northward [where it changes to 37] down to 31 southward into that area for decades). Go south on 311 from Kahului and on to 31 (Piilani Highway rather than through Kihei is faster) to get to Wailea.
It's a beautiful drive along the desert coast as you round the southern tip of the island, then you go through several microclimates; gorgeous scenery the whole way (well, until you get back to Kahului and retrace your steps).
It's a beautiful drive along the desert coast as you round the southern tip of the island, then you go through several microclimates; gorgeous scenery the whole way (well, until you get back to Kahului and retrace your steps).
#209
Community Director Emerita
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Anywhere warm
Posts: 33,733
Here's our "how to go to Hana" guide.
We arrived in Maui midday. We had already decided to stay at a small property (more later) at the start of the Hana Road. The owner had warned us to bring groceries as there were no places to get food locally. Thus, our first stop was in Paia at the Manu grocery store. It is an organic store, had some good deli choices, but we also wanted Diet Coke and iced tea. We moved on to Hailemaile General Store for lunch. They take no bookings, but while busy, were able to seat us immediately. (Celeb chef Bev Gannon also has two restaurants in the Wailea area, Joe's and Gannon.) I had heard it was expensive, but mains were $15 to $25 which I thought was inline with other restaurants on Maui. Food was very good. We got their signature pineapple upside down cake to go. It was amazing! We then drove about 10 minutes to the Foodlander in Puakalani to pick up the various beverages we wanted.
We then drove to Cliff's Edge. This property is idylicly sited on cliffs over the water. It has just 4 units for rent, 2 in the main house and two separate buildings. We had the Bali Cottage and were delighted with it. It had a well equiped kitchen, a large main room with bed, sofa, and table, and a deck with chairs, hot tub and bbq. Normally 3 day minimum rentals are required but the owner was able to slot us in between longer rentals so took our one day booking. We arrived mid afternoon, and stayed on the deck watching waves and whales til nightfall.
We were on the road to Hana by 8am. We were well before most tourist traffic, and encountered little traffic coming out of Hana. I had been intimidated by reports I'd heard for years of the tortuous trip with its 56 single lane bridges. It was much easier than I anticipated. It was roughly a 90 minute drive to Hana without stops.
Once thru in Hana, we continued on the road. A highpoint for me was finding the church where Lindbergh is buried. You go beyond the 7 sacred pools and look for a sign to Maui Stables on the left. Turn, then turn at the sign for a church. At no point is there a sign indicating you will find the grave at road's end. There is a parking lot in front of a small church. Go to the cemetery on the side. There you find a large grave for Sam Pryor, former CEO of Pan Am. His 6 gibbons are buried there, each under a slab much like a sidewalk slab. Toward the water is the grave for Lindberg. Lindberg came to Maui at Pryor's invitation.
Although rental car agreements say to not drive onward, we did. It was dry and the drive was easy. I've read that it should not be done if raining. We had beautiful views the length of it, a completely different beauty than on the road to Hana. There are 3 stretches or so of lengthy single lane road where it would be no fun to meet an uncoming car as turnouts were minimal. Fortunately, we didn't. Once back on the state highway, we were able to see Wailea just a few minutes away as the crow flies. Unfortunately, ranchland separted us from our destination and we had to drive north to Kihei and back south to Wailea. This took about 90 minutes from the time we saw Wailea.
It was a great day and a half and I highly recommend it.
We arrived in Maui midday. We had already decided to stay at a small property (more later) at the start of the Hana Road. The owner had warned us to bring groceries as there were no places to get food locally. Thus, our first stop was in Paia at the Manu grocery store. It is an organic store, had some good deli choices, but we also wanted Diet Coke and iced tea. We moved on to Hailemaile General Store for lunch. They take no bookings, but while busy, were able to seat us immediately. (Celeb chef Bev Gannon also has two restaurants in the Wailea area, Joe's and Gannon.) I had heard it was expensive, but mains were $15 to $25 which I thought was inline with other restaurants on Maui. Food was very good. We got their signature pineapple upside down cake to go. It was amazing! We then drove about 10 minutes to the Foodlander in Puakalani to pick up the various beverages we wanted.
We then drove to Cliff's Edge. This property is idylicly sited on cliffs over the water. It has just 4 units for rent, 2 in the main house and two separate buildings. We had the Bali Cottage and were delighted with it. It had a well equiped kitchen, a large main room with bed, sofa, and table, and a deck with chairs, hot tub and bbq. Normally 3 day minimum rentals are required but the owner was able to slot us in between longer rentals so took our one day booking. We arrived mid afternoon, and stayed on the deck watching waves and whales til nightfall.
We were on the road to Hana by 8am. We were well before most tourist traffic, and encountered little traffic coming out of Hana. I had been intimidated by reports I'd heard for years of the tortuous trip with its 56 single lane bridges. It was much easier than I anticipated. It was roughly a 90 minute drive to Hana without stops.
Once thru in Hana, we continued on the road. A highpoint for me was finding the church where Lindbergh is buried. You go beyond the 7 sacred pools and look for a sign to Maui Stables on the left. Turn, then turn at the sign for a church. At no point is there a sign indicating you will find the grave at road's end. There is a parking lot in front of a small church. Go to the cemetery on the side. There you find a large grave for Sam Pryor, former CEO of Pan Am. His 6 gibbons are buried there, each under a slab much like a sidewalk slab. Toward the water is the grave for Lindberg. Lindberg came to Maui at Pryor's invitation.
Although rental car agreements say to not drive onward, we did. It was dry and the drive was easy. I've read that it should not be done if raining. We had beautiful views the length of it, a completely different beauty than on the road to Hana. There are 3 stretches or so of lengthy single lane road where it would be no fun to meet an uncoming car as turnouts were minimal. Fortunately, we didn't. Once back on the state highway, we were able to see Wailea just a few minutes away as the crow flies. Unfortunately, ranchland separted us from our destination and we had to drive north to Kihei and back south to Wailea. This took about 90 minutes from the time we saw Wailea.
It was a great day and a half and I highly recommend it.
#210
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,389
So we just got back from our wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii. It included the Road to Hana and it was amazing. We paced ourselves throughout the day, starting on the beginning of the Hana Hwy around 7:30a and going all the way around and back to Wailea by about 8:00p.
We got to see all the sights we wanted to; we didn't really do any of the longer hikes as the weather was spotty on and off (which made for great falls, btw). We also did the drive in a convertible Camaro which made it very very nice. I recommend trying to snag a vert for the Road to Hana. I'm glad we went all the way around!
We got to see all the sights we wanted to; we didn't really do any of the longer hikes as the weather was spotty on and off (which made for great falls, btw). We also did the drive in a convertible Camaro which made it very very nice. I recommend trying to snag a vert for the Road to Hana. I'm glad we went all the way around!