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Something you have to have to point out is that almost all rental cars exclude this back road in your contract. Meaning you are legally not supposed to be here and by chance your car breaks down, you will owe thousands of dollars. Just something to influence decision making if you are in two minds about taking this path or not
I've done the backside twice. The only reason for the second time is I forgot how scary it was the first time! Definitely an elevated risk for falling rocks and meeting traffic on blind curves with not enough room to pass by. Oh, and no guard rails to be found anywhere. I would recommend traveling towards Hana on the backside to enjoy the views but turn around when the road gets intense.
The backside is slowly improving (county owned) - Hana Hwy is state-owned and Historic - can't improve only maintain. If local "violently" honks is because tourist doing something stupid - like stopping on every bridge when no oncoming traffic.
Good to know about the roads! Unfortunately this specific van driver was recklessly passing at high speeds, flashing high beams, etc. - I pulled over when the road had widened to a safe degree and they passed at a high speed and laid on the horn. I shouldn’t have reacted but as a Kauai local I know no local or tourist have the right to drive aggressively on any road. Aloha 🤙🏼
We were recently forced into doing the backroad because there was a tree down on the other side of Hana they said would take 3-4 hours to clear. At this point it was already dark & a woman told us we could do the backroad even in our little Kia Soul. A bit of a terrifying experience in the pitch dark and rain (and also being told by everyone everywhere to not do this road without 4 wheel), but once we hit the smooth roads we thought the exact same thing as you guys: they don’t want you on this road because of how nice it is!! Probably one of the nicest and smooth roads we’ve been on and at night it’s like a runway with how many reflectors are on it!
That is an amazing experience thank you for sharing! I totally know what you mean about the runway feel at night, its such a beautiful stretch of road :)
Agreed, definitely let them pass! We pulled over and he beeped and gave me a shaka so I gave him it back :) There's no need to speed on a dangerous road like that and endangering others, regardless of who is a 'local'.
It's not a secret just implies you're a bit braver than most & you're willing to get stranded or pay a hefty tow fee back there if you run into issues. The narrow road with many small blind hills assumes you'll never run into on coming traffic. Yes I've done it once & it didn't save that much time.
Great video! Have been watching your videos ever since we met when you lost your bag! It's a fun way to see Maui/Kauai/Hawaii! Thank you for the shout out for my website (sweet!)
12 years ago we went this way not knowing how intense it was and what an adventure! The next year we went back the way everyone else does but it was dark and rainy! Not sure what was more scary. Thanks for the video we didn't take many pictures and this brings me back❤
Great video.👏🏻👌🏻We were in Maui last month and we had such great time. We took the Road to Hana and omg, it was just breathtaking! We also took the back road and we’re glad that we did, even though our rental guy told us not to!😁
Thank you so much for this video... My Husband and I were undecided on taking the back road to Hana. Now! With your video, we are excited and looking forward to taking the back road! Thank you, Guys!
OK, first thing I see? YOU are one of the VERY few travel vloggers that know to leave your lodging BEFORE sunrise. Get to Paia at sunrise for a much more enjoyable road to Hana adventure.
We did the same thing on the Road to Hanna! mmmm chocolate chip banana bread sounds perfect! WOW! The waves look awesome.. so huge during the storm. haha nice job enjoying the wet beach. We actually hit up a different black sand beach that was free and much bigger in Hana. It's actually crazy how we drove the back road to Hana and kept driving on the crazy bumpy road with cows in the middle... somehow didn't go anywhere you guys went. Looks like you had a good time too.
You're making my want more of that delicious banana bread!! That other black sand beach sounds amazing we wish we would have known about that! There are just so so so many places to stop on this legendary road so everyone kinda has their own special experience which I think is super cool. So glad you guys got to do the back road, it is so so special!
@@OnTodaysAdventure totally hope to go back one day! It really is cool how you can have a completely different experience. Also, we are so glad you got your wallet back. Those people were so kind. Hope you find a video or two you enjoy on our page. Guessing you might enjoy our Hawaii adventures.
Nice video. Glad to see you were able to recover your fanny pack (and important documents) . A happy ending is always good. Just a question on the exact date of this drive. Was it May 20 or much earlier? I heard there was a flood damage to one of the bridges on the back road to Hana and they have closed it as of June 2 for estimated 2 months. Wondering if that's what you came across at 15:23 in your video.
Glad you enjoyed the video! We did it back in April, so that flood is new and it is currently closed. It looks like what you read is true - it will take 2 months or so to reopen.
great video, I will be going to Maui next week, I don't have any plans yet but been watching many videos on the Road to Hana, might need to try it, I am staying on the other side of the island so might only be able to get to half way and then back? we will see.
Hi Meylin! We started the trip very early to reach Paia by sunrise which was around 6am and by the time we got to the distillery it was already 6:30pm, so a full day sunrise to sunset but so worth it!
I live in Ohio and my work took me to Lahaina to work and live for 4 months back in 2001. I was planning the trip up to Hana and a friend and native Mauian told me to take the back side when I return that it was paved all the way through so I did. After less than a mile out of Hana the road turned to dirt and stone with huge pot holes and precipitous drops. Up a hill and down a hill like a bumpy roller coaster ride. I went over a hill and had to hit my breaks to keep from hitting a rancher herding cattle accross the road. My check engine light came on in the compact car I was renting and I thought great. Soon after the sun went completely down. It was pitch black with no lights of civilization and only the head lamps on the car to guide me. Next thing I know I'm hugging a mountain on my right with shear cliffs to my left on a rough road only wide enough for my compact car. If another came towards me no way was I backing up. I had my window rolled down and could hear the waves crashing below me. I thought "if I were to open my car door and step out I would step off the cliff into the ocean". I couldn't take the sound of the waves crashing anymore so I rolled up the window. It was shear terror. I didn't know what I had embarked on and thought perhaps I was lost. I prayed and kept calm and thought if I die so be it. Then I thought "if I make it back to the condo alive I will get out of the car and kiss the pavement go inside and do several shots of whiskey chased by several beers and smoke the fattest joint I could roll. Finally I reached paved road and was inland and felt such a sense of relief. Eventually I could see the lights of Kahului below and then drove through residential neighborhoods and a half hour later I was at the base of the mountain and on the highway heading back to Lahaina. When I reached home I kept my promise and got out of the car and kissed the pavement and partook of the whiskey, beer and weed. I didn't mention earlier I had two friends with me in the car who both fell asleep the minute we left Hana and remained asleep for the 3 hour harrowing journey and didn't wake up until we got back to the condo. It truly was just God and me out there. I now realize after watching videos like this that we missed beautiful scenery because it was at night. Mind you, there wasn't GPS to guide you or RU-vid videos to prepare you back in 2001. I'm now happy, albeit scary, that I experienced it and lived to tell the tale. 🤣
Nice video. Glad everything worked out for you guys. Do you remember around about what time you made it to Pipiwai Trails. We are going in 2 weeks and want to do the exact trip and do the hike but on our way back would like to make it up to Haleakala for sunset. Considering you drove the back side twice I'm curious what time I need to make it to the hike.
We arrived in Haleakala early in the afternoon so we had plenty of time to make it out the other side! The road that we had to turn back on was totally smooth and easy to drive so it was only a few minutes detour until we saw the truck that picked up the fanny pack! I hope you had an amazing trip :)
Great video! Thanks for sharing! I’m sitting in Maui right now with a week ahead of us. I can see now that I CAN NOT take that back road with the car we have. I’ll get a Jeep on another day. I appreciate the guide. Subbed!
Thank you so much! And that's awesome, we LOVED Maui! If you haven't already, make plans to go to Haleakala for sunrise and if your scuba divers you can't miss Molokini - and we have guides on both those spots as well! Definitely get a jeep you'll love it out there. Hope you have the best week!
Hi. We plan to split this excursion up in two days. There’s 7 of us and we are going in July (staying in Kaanapali). What is your opinion for spots to hit on two separate trips to make it worth while? We do like, and hope to hit, the black sand beach (w/reservations) and the area with the 400’ waterfall. Also we plan to go to Haleakala to see the sunset but are willing to do that on a third day if needed. What is your suggestion? Thanks in advance.
Haleakala for sunrise / sunset (permits required) is VERY far from the section of Haleakala that has the Pipiwai Trail. Definitely do a separate day to that part of the park! You will have so much fun :)
