Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Driving through this town of 200 residents takes no more than two minutes, and before
you know it, you'll be climbing around another hairpin turn and leaving the fishing village
behind. At the overlook on the Kapalua side of the village is
Kauikeolani Lunchwag-
on
(9:30am-4pm daily), a yellow food truck that sells mouthwatering fish-and-chips and
where every item on the menu is gloriously deep fried.
THE ROAD TO KAHAKULOA
If driving to Hana was the scariest thing you've ever done, you might want to take a
rain check on Road to Kahakuloa. It's one of the most scenic, breathtaking, off-the-
map drives you can take. There are sheer drop-offs with no guardrails, completely
blind turns, and the occasional rockslide that will send boulders down onto the high-
way.
There is a lot of confusion about the road that goes around the “back” of the West
Maui Mountains. Some rental car maps show the road as four-wheel drive. Others
say that it's one lane. Still others say you shouldn't drive it at all. This road can be
narrow, frustrating, and downright scary, but if you utilize a few simple tricks, what
was once a white-knuckle drive through the wilderness becomes one of the best day
trips available on the island.
Despite the dangers, incidents are rare. The road does not require four-wheel
drive. It's paved, although some sections can be bumpy. The road is narrow, and at
some places is only wide enough for one car, never mind two.
So how do you drive on a one-lane road? The key is to look ahead a mile or
so, gauge the oncoming traffic situation, and react accordingly. Go slowly around
corners and honk your horn on those you can't see around. Turn the radio off so you
can hear if anyone is honking from the other direction. If you need to take a break,
use one of the gravel pullouts on the side of the road and let the cars behind you
pass. Watch the road that's directly in front of you, but also look across the valley
for oncoming traffic which might still be a half-mile away. If you notice that there
is an oncoming truck, use the next pullout, wait 20 seconds for the oncoming traffic
to pass, and then continue on your way. If you do encounter another car at a narrow
junction, you might have to slowly reverse to the nearest pullout and give the other
car room to pass. The number one rule is don't sightsee and drive at the same time.
If you're the driver, keep your eyes firmly glued to the road. If you want to take
photos, pull over.
