Easy and beautiful, right up Haleakala highway. The State is working to repair the roadway at Kaupo on the backside that was damaged and closed by an earthquake last year, so we will be able to circumnavigate the east side soon again,I hope. Now one may only drive to Ulupalakua and the Tedeschi winery the "front" way, up Haleakala highway; when the road is repaired, it will also be approachable the back way, via Hana. We'll sometimes drive to Hana; spend the night; and drive home the back way, via Ulupalakua, stopping by the winery.

LOL....

In a moment of weakness, I agreed to drive to Hana one day last month, b/c it was my wife's first time to Maui.

God, I wished we'd have done something else that day.....

(she wants to do it again this February when we go back with the kids.....I think I'm going to have to intervene on their behalf)

I kept scratching my head at the OPs resistance to renting a car until I realized where he's from and seeing it from his perspective.

My wife and I are going to Rome next summer (dang...I wanted Maui again), and the thought of getting around the city to all the sights is giving me a headache, so I understand why he's hesitant.

Is it because it's really nothing special or the driving is hard? We actually decided to go with a guided tour.

Driving is mad in Kiev and I prefer walking/subway.
My b/f is the one who drives. Going places by car means no drinking (not a problem for me since I don't even know how to drive) but kinda unfair to him since he won't be able to drink (I know that in US people can have a drink or two and drive but we don't do that because it is illegal in Ukraine). So, we prefer to take taxis.

However, we were strongly advised to rent a car in L.A. and I was extremely happy that kind smart people gave us that advice. SO, I think we'll listen this time as well.

I would absolutely rent a car. You can look into renting a car closer to the Wailea area, but what I have found is that for almost all travel, when you rent away from the airport, the daily rate is higher.

For example, when I was in Kauai, I was just going to rent from the Hertz at the hotel for a day, but the rate was 3 times higher than renting from the airport. Therefore, it was about the same price to just rent the car from the airport, and not drive it around very often versus renting the car from the hotel the one day that I needed it.

Plus, having it allowed me to go to the store to get some cheap drinks and snacks for the room.

I was just bored.

(I get bored very easily)

For me, it was 9+ hours of winding/twisting roads and I couldn't take my eyes off of the road to see the scenery either.

Also, because of the number of cars....it was like a 9 hour commute in rush-hour traffic.

I guess it's something that you have to do....once.

Tourist's perspectives of my home crack me up!

No....please don't take offense at my post kaukau....I love your home almost as much as you do.

In fact, we're closer than you think.

I live in Park City, UT another very popular tourist destination (ski town), with the feel and atmosphere much like Lahaina has, (where I think I've read you live).

Lahaina was a whaling town...Park City was a mining town, but both share deep roots in their history.

My "problem" with the drive to Hana is my restlessness and ADD (attention deficit disorder). The older I get (I'm 46) the worse it seems to be getting....lol.

Our driving to Hana is much like your coming here and taking a sleigh ride.....done that once....never again for me thank you.

One of the reasons I like Maui over all the rest of the islands is that it seems to have more of everything, or the best of everything Hawaii has to offer, including activities to fill every day of a vacation from sun-up to sundown.

My wife thought I was crazy last month when I was setting my alarm at 5:30 every morning we were there, but one. She'd never been to Maui (only to Oahu for 3 days prior) and I wanted her to experience as much as we could in a week, but understood by week's end.

I've been to Maui twice this year, and we have another trip planned in February '08....so you can see....I love your home.

None taken. Nice reply. ^ ^ On your next visit, take the back-way drive around the west side of the island: Lahaina to Wailuku via Nakalele Point and Kahakaloa Town, or vice-versa. If you prefer, you can call us up and sit in the back of our truck while we drive: I always need an excuse to buy more homemade Hawai'ian Red Chile Pepper powder, sold in Kahakaloa. It's awesome sprinkled on the ripe avocadoes they also sell! ;)

Very cool.

We got about half way around last month, but we started late, and then stopped on the other side of Kapalua (we stayed at the Sheraton) and spent a couple of hours watching the surfers, so we didn't have enough time to go all the way around.

I have driving this highway for over 15 years and have not noticed anything like this. Where did you get this totally ridiculous and inaccurate info? FWIW the driving time from Wailea to OGG has increased from typically 25 minutes to about 40+ minutes but its not because of the drunks and wrecks.

MisterNice

So a few notes to add to this thread and also looking for some suggestions:

This will be my 6th or 7th consecutive year visiting Maui in January. I have a timeshare on the Wailea/ South Kihei border (across from Kam III). This year I am opting to rent a bicycle for the 10 days I will be on the island. I have done the road to Hana, the sunrise drive to Haleakala, Big beach, Lahina, ect.

I feel as though I spend the majority of my time walking/running and just adventuring Kam, I, II, III or snorkeling at Ulua beach. I am going with my boyfriend who has yet to adventure the island so having a car might be beneficial. In another sense I feel if you really want to just enjoy the island and the culture you have to just kick back. I think lots of people go to the island and just want to see everything and get so caught up driving all over god's green acres they don’t "get it".

There is plenty of options, restaurants, adventures, surf and sand to absorb without having a car. I personally will be hitting Lulu's for beer, The PuPu Lounge happy hour Mai Tais, and shopping at Safeway or Costco for basic food and snacks. If you are going to do guided tours the resort often can set up transportation for you or the tours come to you. I personally bring my own snorkeling gear and rent a boogie board for the week (or stop at Costco if they have some smoking deals on any) -- I plan to hang loose - minus a car.

On that note does anyone have any suggestions for cool tours or adventures? I have done many snorkeling trips, whale watching, and turtle swims. I am thinking something a little different such as hiking, kayaking, or maybe one of those zip line thingies??? Also, I will be partaking in a message; I wouldn’t mind some feedback on local Wailea or Kihei spots. I always prefer to support local business owners, thus I tend to stay away from the commercialized resorts, shops, and restaurants.

Thanks for feedback!

Aloha, luckystar, and welcome to the Hawai'i Travel Forum on FlyerTalk.
Glad you're such a fan of the Valley Isle!

For starters, see if these folks don't have something to offer you: http://www.mauihikingsafaris.com/

Aloha, and have fun!

A hui hou!