Highway 550 - Waimea Canyon, Kauai

[RedBarchetta]

Also known as Waimea Canyon Drive. Too bad I was in a rented mini-van and not in the Cobra:




It also had switch-back S curves like old Riverside Raceway (think rapid right-left-right-left), and a couple hairpins that would have been fun to drift around.

And here's the view at the end of the road, the Kalalau Lookout over the Na Pali Coast.



-Dean

[Got the Bug]

The picture at the Kalalau Lookout looks like a painting. Awesome! Kauai is my favorite.

[vanoochka]

Nice!

We have a vacation home on Maui, which also has some neat roads. Unfortunately, I have pretty much the same car situation there as you.

[vegasmike]

I was thinking the same thing as I was driving the "Road to Hana" two weeks ago, especially since we were trying to get back to Wailea quickly that afternoon for a dinner reservation.

I thought about it again last week when we were driving the upper road to the volcano on the Big Island, but then it began to rain, heavily.

[SP01715]

Love Hawaii. My first time driving the road to Hana I went clockwise around the island and it took forever. The second time I drove it the other direction and it was much better. If you leave early in the morning you don't hit the rest of the tourist until later in the day because they are all driving clockwise.
It also gets you to the Seven pools quicker and the 4 mile hike to the big waterfall is easier when you are not worried about it getting dark.

[Excaliber]

When you get to Hana, keep going! The road turns to dirt after 7 pools and the rental car companies say specifically you 'can't go there', but hey, you don't have to tell them! The road DOES go all the way through and you will come out on the other side of the Island. It's not a 'bad' road, but it aint the best either, just be careful of any rocks that might bust open an oil pan. If you have to get a tow, well, your in deep trouble!

[RedBarchetta]

Originally Posted by Excaliber

When you get to Hana, keep going! The road turns to dirt after 7 pools and the rental car companies say specifically you 'can't go there', but hey, you don't have to tell them! The road DOES go all the way through and you will come out on the other side of the Island. It's not a 'bad' road, but it aint the best either, just be careful of any rocks that might bust open an oil pan. If you have to get a tow, well, your in deep trouble!

Have traveled that road. It was quite nasty in a few spots. And with no guard rail, the Mrs. will leave fingernail marks in the dashboard and anything else she can hold. She filled up the swear jar that afternoon...and with the kids in the back seat.

[vegasmike]

I have done the road all the way around on the Hana side and also on the west side of the island. The road on the west, although better maintained, is much worse. It gets to be one lane in many spots with blind turns, no guardrail, etc. I actually had to back up a hill on the side of a cliff with no guardrail because that was what was required, really bad, swore never to drive that road again.

The road to Hana and past the pools is much better, but still narrow and full of potholes. Much of it was closed past Kuapo after the earthquake, not sure if they have opened it yet.

I just wish they would complete a connection at the end of the Piilani Hwy by Kihei that links to the hwy up Haleakala. It would make that drive much better.

[Excaliber]

...I was scared to death I was going to rip off a trans cooling line and punch a hole in something under the car. Some nasty boulders on that road last time I was there, along with some equally nasty pot holes.

BUT, what a view eh?? I rather enjoyed it, yeah, the better half may not.

[Wayne Maybury]

I loved driving on the road to Hana. We had a rental Mustang convertable V6 so it performed like a sporty minivan.

Wayne

[Jamo]

Cool pic from the overlook!

Driven all the roads/islands above at one time or another and many others. Took the wife and girls to the top of the mountain and then all the way to Hana and back to the Ritz on the west end in one day in a Cherokee...they were ready to kill me (wonder why).

Actually, one of the bestest drives I've had on any of the islands was taking the southern road back from Hilo and the park back to Kona. The traffic really thinned out and we had a bit of fun in a rented E-class. Very unspoiled coastland.

Rented a first generation Viper in Maui back in the 90s...worst rental decision I've ever made anywhere on this planet. Waaaaaay too much traffic to enjoy it, and that POS cub scout tent they called a top was a PITA to put and down every time it rained (once a freeking hour).

[Excaliber]

Man I hear that Jamo, it's tough cruising with the ERA on any given day or weekend and trying to find enough room to just open it up a little.

The "Hidden Hawaii":
A place called "Peacock Flats" camp ground on Oahu. Past Wainae, almost to the very end on the paved road. Turn right at the military gaurd station and show your 'pass' to gain access. To get the pass you have to go downtown to the DLNR office and fill out a form with your vehicle license number(s), it's good for two weeks. No cost, just the hassle of finding the office.

The paved road takes you to the top of the mountain range near the big white radar domes that sit up there. The view is spectacular. The paved road ends and you leave the military area and enter the 'hunting/camping' dirt road's which many miles later end up on the other side of the mountain and "Peacock Flats" campground. BRING THE MAP from DLNR with you, you'll need it! Plenty water too, no services back there. I've seen boar, peacocks (of course) and some rather large Hawaiian Grouse type bird life, quite a lot of wildlife back in there because it's so seldom accessed. The MAIN dirt road is doable with a rental car, but a 4 wheel drive is highly recommended for max enjoyment. LOT'S of side roads, some get very gnarly, you never when or where, might have to back up if you chicken out. Views to BOTH sides of the island. Miles of dirt roads to explore. Once we picked up two mountain bicyclist's who had got lost, run out of water and were pretty beat up in general. We loaded their bikes on top of the Jeep, gave them water (they needed it badly) and hauled them out of there. On the weekdays you won't run into people, to remote. On the weekends you may see other folks, usually at the camp ground itself.

We would take our LICENSED Enduro motorcycles back in there to ride. ONLY licensed vehicles are allowed, best trails on the Island, by far!

[Jamo]

Looking pretty youthful there, Oinie.

[Excaliber]

Eh eh, I wish! Thats my number 1 son. When we came upon a boar 'guarding' the road on our bikes, he froze. I kicked it down a couple of gears, grabbed some dirt with the rear tire and hauled ass the opposite direction. HE wanted to stay and play. Maybe, if we had been in the Jeep...

[Got the Bug]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Waaaaaay too much traffic to enjoy it, and that POS cub scout tent they called a top was a PITA to put and down every time it rained (once a freeking hour).

Nothing like renting the standard cheapy convertable and driving around with the top down during a torrential downpour.

[4pipes]

About 25 years ago, when my girls where little, we took a rental car into the Maui highlands in search of Menehunes. We drove smack dab into a pot farm and were greeted by a nasty looking chap on a horse. He had two bandoliers around his shoulders, a rifle, and a pack of dobermans. We turned around and hauled ass out of there. What a memory!

[SP01715]

Originally Posted by Got the Bug

Nothing like renting the standard cheapy convertable and driving around with the top down during a torrential downpour.

We always rent a Jeep Wrangler and have a little off road fun

[HI Cobra]

Ernie,

I have hiked up to Peacock Flats many times. Dillingham airfield where we
skydive is on the north side just below. It is a great view - but nothing like
the one you get from 14,000' or so.

[Excaliber]

Those bicylcle folks hiked and carried their bikes up from the airfield area. THATS a mean hike!