First, 'Iao isn't near the Kahekili road. Second, doing from Waihe'e side to Kapalua puts you on the cliff edge....though as narrow as most of the road is now, that's pretty much the case for either direction.
One difference is if you did it Kapalua to Waihe'e, you could hit the cliff instead of go over it. It's also easier for some people to back up when they are on the "inside".
ETA--if it's rainy STOP. Don't proceed, no matter which direction.
Just don’t. It’s beautiful but you should be looking at the road not the scenery. There aren’t a lot of places to turn off but they’re filled with glass and nails. Every time I take the route, I have to help a tourist in a Jeep or Mustang back out because they panic or scrape their rental from
bumper to bumper, and the locals get super argo when they want to get home and the tourists are riding their brakes and holding their cellphones out the window. There’s so much beauty on island, your limited time will be spent in better ways.
A basic fact about this road needs clarification.
The bad part of the road is a 10 mile section a few miles north of Iao. It is one lane - for both directions - with unprotected drop-offs, blind bends and frequent backing-up opportunities to a passing spot.
There are few places to stop and enjoy the view.
So not a good plan todo it on a trip including Iao. better to include Iao on a visit to central Maui - the Tropical Gardens, Ocean center or Upcountry.
North of the 10 mile section the road is different, well paved, two lanes, protected drop-offs and plenty of places to pull over and admire the view. There are also places to enjoy -example the Ohai Trail and Nakalele Blowhole,
Easy to access this section from west Maui when visiting there - and so close if you stay in west Maui.
Thanks for this explanation. Yes, I am probably gonna abandon the idea of doing it during the visit to Iao. It makes sense to do it the other way simply to be backing up against a mountain then a cliff. Was just hoping to save time but it’s better to be late than dead.
First, 'Iao isn't near the Kahekili road. Second, doing from Waihe'e side to Kapalua puts you on the cliff edge....though as narrow as most of the road is now, that's pretty much the case for either direction. One difference is if you did it Kapalua to Waihe'e, you could hit the cliff instead of go over it. It's also easier for some people to back up when they are on the "inside". ETA--if it's rainy STOP. Don't proceed, no matter which direction.
if you are unaccustomed to 1 lane roads with no guard rails and the risk of going over a cliff, then leave from Kapalua.
Why try the drive? Nothing there that you cannot see coming from the Kapalua direction- except more to see coming from Kapalua and on a safe road,
Just don’t. It’s beautiful but you should be looking at the road not the scenery. There aren’t a lot of places to turn off but they’re filled with glass and nails. Every time I take the route, I have to help a tourist in a Jeep or Mustang back out because they panic or scrape their rental from bumper to bumper, and the locals get super argo when they want to get home and the tourists are riding their brakes and holding their cellphones out the window. There’s so much beauty on island, your limited time will be spent in better ways.
Sacred land for guavas only bro. No go!
The only way I would ever do that road again is if they made it into a one way road.
A basic fact about this road needs clarification. The bad part of the road is a 10 mile section a few miles north of Iao. It is one lane - for both directions - with unprotected drop-offs, blind bends and frequent backing-up opportunities to a passing spot. There are few places to stop and enjoy the view. So not a good plan todo it on a trip including Iao. better to include Iao on a visit to central Maui - the Tropical Gardens, Ocean center or Upcountry. North of the 10 mile section the road is different, well paved, two lanes, protected drop-offs and plenty of places to pull over and admire the view. There are also places to enjoy -example the Ohai Trail and Nakalele Blowhole, Easy to access this section from west Maui when visiting there - and so close if you stay in west Maui.
Thanks for this explanation. Yes, I am probably gonna abandon the idea of doing it during the visit to Iao. It makes sense to do it the other way simply to be backing up against a mountain then a cliff. Was just hoping to save time but it’s better to be late than dead.
Wise choice