I can guess what you’re thinking — where did I get the quote “We all had to check our underwear” and what does it have to do with Hawaii? This quote came from a reader’s comment on my article, Beware of Driving Northwest Maui. Here are some other descriptive comments from those who drove this section of forbidden road:
“I have driven many mountain roads from California to Germany and this one beats all!”
“We PRAYED he wouldn’t fall off the side because there were NO guardrails.”
“I wish I had seen this blog before taking this road from end to end. I knew it was winding before we started on it, but had no idea how incredibly dangerous it turned out to be.”
“Just got back to hotel after driving a little ways down that stretch of road—scared the befeebers out of me–glad to be ALIVE–don’t try it!”
So, in case you were thinking about driving that stretch of road around the North Shore of West Maui, think twice, my friends. There’s a reason why the rental car companies forbid renters from driving this section of road. (See this Maui drive guide map indicating that this section of road is forbidden.) There are plenty of other places to see and things to do that you’ll enjoy far more that having to check your underwear.
See this link for more information on Hawaii’s forbidden drives.
Sheila Beal
2 comments
OMG! I can totally relate to anyone who got scared out their blazin’ minds driving that stretch of road! A friend and I went to Maui a few years ago, and I was so excited to be exploring a new place. All the locals said we should check out this or that, but our first journey we headed north (we were staying in Lahaina). Everything was fine until we got to the unpaved roadway. Once on it I was in freak-out mode! No railways which caused me to stress out, and to make matters worse the road barely fit two vehicles going in either direction. We had to pull close to the mountain side just to let someone else pass by us. I had a major anxiety attack and couldn’t wait to get the heck off that road. As we couldn’t turn around we just headed straight until we reached Kahului. That was the worst day in my life. Because I had a rough experience with that road everyone said I shouldn’t go to Hana. I’m from Oahu but even my travels to Kauai and the Big Island was a breeze in comparison to Maui. If anyone is afraid of heights and really dislike narrow (and I mean N-A-R-R-O-W) roadways please stay on the main roads in Maui. I’ll never forget that ride for as long as I live.
Daniela – thanks for sharing your perspective of this road. As you have described, it’s not for the faint of heart. I know I was grateful to have survived the road myself.