Kahakuloa Bay
Kahakuloa Bay
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
32 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Wasabi Doggy
Seattle, WA9 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
The area of Kahakuloa has much in the way of stunning visuals. Approaching from the west, the dramatic rock formation of Kahakuloa Head in the distance is felt like a presence that draws one closer and closer with each htairpin turn. The setting is simply spectacular.
We drove only so far as the art gallery above the town in the saddle. Excellent fish tacos in the food truck parked there by the way. Sitting at the little picnic tables you can survey the town, the bay, and the view up the long long rugged valley that leads up to the volcanos crater. A lush green impenetrable half tube that’s awesome to contemplate. Perhaps not much different than so many of the other drainage valleys that one sees on the map but the difference is that from this one place you can actually see how far it goes into the interior.
The gallery is more gift shop than art gallery but there are some small landscape originals by at least three talented painters as well some original sculptures. Much more in the way of jewelry and cards, prints and knick knacks. In the village there is a picturesque wooden church that is currently under a major restoration project. There are several banana bread refreshment trailers right along the road. I had anticipated a bit more of a little Main Street here but it’s too small for even that. I felt like a real outsider just driving through, this is a place that values its own tenacity and authenticity and isn’t looking for any outsiders to validate it. ... or that’s the feeling I got anyway. The road is quite good until soon before the little village, where it narrows to a semblance of a sometime wide and sometimes narrow one-lane road. I chose to tap my horn when entering the blind areas, as well as observing the slow speed limits. It’s pretty much the luck of the draw in terms of how easy or difficult this portion of road ends up being. There are plentiful pullouts to allow for cars to pass in opposite directions. Aloha spirit really helps as well as clear hand signals to opposing cars as to who is going to wait and who is going to proceed. Obvious actions speak the loudest here.
We drove only so far as the art gallery above the town in the saddle. Excellent fish tacos in the food truck parked there by the way. Sitting at the little picnic tables you can survey the town, the bay, and the view up the long long rugged valley that leads up to the volcanos crater. A lush green impenetrable half tube that’s awesome to contemplate. Perhaps not much different than so many of the other drainage valleys that one sees on the map but the difference is that from this one place you can actually see how far it goes into the interior.
The gallery is more gift shop than art gallery but there are some small landscape originals by at least three talented painters as well some original sculptures. Much more in the way of jewelry and cards, prints and knick knacks. In the village there is a picturesque wooden church that is currently under a major restoration project. There are several banana bread refreshment trailers right along the road. I had anticipated a bit more of a little Main Street here but it’s too small for even that. I felt like a real outsider just driving through, this is a place that values its own tenacity and authenticity and isn’t looking for any outsiders to validate it. ... or that’s the feeling I got anyway. The road is quite good until soon before the little village, where it narrows to a semblance of a sometime wide and sometimes narrow one-lane road. I chose to tap my horn when entering the blind areas, as well as observing the slow speed limits. It’s pretty much the luck of the draw in terms of how easy or difficult this portion of road ends up being. There are plentiful pullouts to allow for cars to pass in opposite directions. Aloha spirit really helps as well as clear hand signals to opposing cars as to who is going to wait and who is going to proceed. Obvious actions speak the loudest here.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JenRed2014
Buffalo, NY909 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
We had a great day driving all of Route 30 and 340. We all agreed that the Northwestern Route was more interesting than the road to Hana, and no more difficult a drive.
We loved seeing the hulking Kahakuloa Head change in the distance as our trip progressed. The town was very quaint and the drive was beautiful.
We loved seeing the hulking Kahakuloa Head change in the distance as our trip progressed. The town was very quaint and the drive was beautiful.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Habano
Fort McMurray, Canada51 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
Drove from Wailea to Kahului via the Honoapiilani Hway to Lahaina and Kaanapali.
Hwy is right along the coast line excellent views of the ocean, island type rocks, reefs for snorkeling, and incredible island vegetation. Up to Kapalua from Lahaina, the hwy is safe and enjoyable to drive.
At Nakalele Pt. (blow hole), the hwy ends and turns into a single lane road. It reads on the map "Narrow Road. Drive at your own Risk". Unlike the road to Hana where continuing past Hana via a car rental is not covered, there was no warning about car rentals on this road so we continued on.
The wife and I were amazed by this road as to the coast line views, and local old fishing villages that we passed thru. The road does not have guard rails so was quite scarry. Just before Waihee it turns back into a normal Maui state hwy.
We drove this road on a Monday morning with no issues. Later we learned from locals that many have not driven this "goat cart path" as is too scary and due to some having the experience of driving backwards for 2 miles when encountering a vehicle coming from the other direction.
Hwy is right along the coast line excellent views of the ocean, island type rocks, reefs for snorkeling, and incredible island vegetation. Up to Kapalua from Lahaina, the hwy is safe and enjoyable to drive.
At Nakalele Pt. (blow hole), the hwy ends and turns into a single lane road. It reads on the map "Narrow Road. Drive at your own Risk". Unlike the road to Hana where continuing past Hana via a car rental is not covered, there was no warning about car rentals on this road so we continued on.
The wife and I were amazed by this road as to the coast line views, and local old fishing villages that we passed thru. The road does not have guard rails so was quite scarry. Just before Waihee it turns back into a normal Maui state hwy.
We drove this road on a Monday morning with no issues. Later we learned from locals that many have not driven this "goat cart path" as is too scary and due to some having the experience of driving backwards for 2 miles when encountering a vehicle coming from the other direction.
Written August 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nsmykowski
Buffalo, NY5 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
Wow...this area is beautiful but the road around to Kalakuloa is treacherous. I recommend to not drive from central Maui to west Maui on the road. We did it today and it was terrifying. It appeared in the guidebooks as an adventurous excursion and we were up for that (had no problem with the Road to Hana or up to Haleakala), but the tiny road and sheer cliff drop offs were actually treacherous. Heading in this direction your car is on the outside of the road and passengers are looking down hundreds of yards of sheer drop offs. There were also sections of road that had washed away so that the drivable portion was only about 8-10 feet wide. Literally I felt like I was going to die on one of those cliffs today. Driving in the opposite direction, slowly, in clear and daylight weather is the only way I think this could be even remotely reasonable.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean W
Oahu, HI29 contributions
Oct 2019
Please read about Christopher Kunzelman before driving into,and supporting this area.And please look for the YouTube video of the actual incident.
Make your own educated decision on this stop.
Make your own educated decision on this stop.
Written December 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren E
Adelaide, Australia15 contributions
Aug 2018 • Family
After reading these reviews, I’d almost convinced my husband that we were not doing this drive! I’m so glad we did though because it was stunning and not that bad at all! I’m not sure whether we just went at a good time, but we headed north from Kanaapali around to Kahului and we didn’t encounter too much traffic. There were quite a few cars parked at the viewing spots however we didn’t pass that many cars and we never had an issue with pulling over to let cars pass/other cars letting us pass. It took us just under three hours to get from our hotel in Kanaapali to Kahului, and we stopped for quite a while at the blowhole and also a couple of other times for photo opportunities. The drive is by no means easy, however it was no where near as difficult as the reviews make it sound! As long as you drive carefully and courteously you’ll be fine. We are from Australia and found it fine. Would recommend Julia’s Banana bread at the blowhole stop! We unfortunately didn’t get to do any of the trails as we have a small baby and he wasn’t up for it. The only negative thing was that there was no phone service so make sure you load up your map and stops beforehand, as some aren’t very well signposted! Would 100% recommend doing this drive!
Written August 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
UK40
Calgary, Canada688 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
We found ourselves on this road before we knew it. I wanted my husband to turn around as I had read about how scary it was. But too late. It is scary and I was driving my husband up the wall with yelling at him to be careful. But we survived. You just take your time and watch in the distance for any cars coming so you can pull to the side so they can squeeze by. Better if you have a very small car. One idiot who was driving a big SUV was coming down the hill when we where nearly ready to come up the other side. We know he was there as we saw him coming down through the bushes. We waited and waited for him to come down but he did not so we started up and he was pulled over but he had 2 cars behind him. We had to squeeze by him which was scary for me and the other two cars had to back up. I was so scared that I forgot to video and take very many pictures.
Written April 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
foothillstrekker
Sonora, California23 contributions
We drove to this tiny old town on a spur of the moment drive up the northeast coast of Maui from Kahului. We'd never been to this part of the island before and really just took off without researching the area. The coastline was rugged and beautiful. After a few miles the road became a narrow winding one lane cliff-hugger with some white knuckle moments when trying to pass oncoming cars. We debated about going all the way to the Blowhole but decided we would only go as far as Kahakuloa and then turn around. The road switched back down to a beautiful little bay with a very small town that consists of a few scattered homes, two very old historic churches and several banana bread and shaved ice stands along the roadside. We turned around in the parking lot of one of the old churches and got out to check out the church and take pictures. As we headed back we saw a sign by a driveway on the left advertising shaved ice so we turned down this narrow winding drive and ended up at a small creek side home with a garage converted into Lorraine's Shaved Ice. Lorraine and her husband Guy welcomed us to come in and enjoy some shaved ice. Our visit with them became one of the highlights of our trip. Guy invited us out to the backyard which overlooks the bay setting up two lawn chairs for us. Lorraine came out to chat and showed us her yard filled with banana, coconut, and papaya trees. By the end of our visit we were taking pictures and exchanging hugs
like old friends. Don't miss this place. It is worth the drive just to meet these charming people. Be sure to take home some of Lorraine's scrumptious coconut chips, banana bread and Liliko'i (passion fruit jelly).
like old friends. Don't miss this place. It is worth the drive just to meet these charming people. Be sure to take home some of Lorraine's scrumptious coconut chips, banana bread and Liliko'i (passion fruit jelly).
Written February 5, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sardrum
Burlington, VT34 contributions
Jan 2017
The north shore of West Maui is gorgeous. A very winding and precarious road. Old Hawaii at its best. Along the way is Kahakuloa Bay, a quintessential old Hawaiian village. Within the village is Lorraine's Bake shop and food to die for.
This is a 2-3 trip and not the full day road to Hana. I much prefer this trip.
This is a 2-3 trip and not the full day road to Hana. I much prefer this trip.
Written January 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BobWE
Manhattan Beach, CA727 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Almost everybody who visits Maui and wants a road adventure meanders through the all day drive to Hana BUT for a real adventure of old Maui venture unto Highway 340 on the west side of Maui. Even on a Sunday with perfect weather you will encounter a minimal amount of traffic. Although the drive is almost always within view of the coastline/ocean, the environment is unlike that of the Hana drive which is lush forest--the Kahakuloa drive is green but not lush forest--more low plants and rolling hills. The scenario is fantastic. For us it was just as beautiful as Hana but different. For about two miles on either side of Kahakuola the ancient sometimes unpaved road needs to be driven very carefully as you are traversing down or up a one lane road that requires that drivers be on the alert for drivers coming from the other direction. Pull offs are available infrequently and on several occasions as we drove the route we either had to back up into a pull off or the other driver had to do likewise. Drive scanning about 50 yards ahead to anticipate oncoming traffic. Once you reach Kahakuola Village stop and take a break at Julie's Banana Bread stand (between mile marker 13 and 14) which is staffed by Julie's niece when we stopped (and purchased a loaf of very moist banana bread). Keep you camera handy for the spectacular views of the coastline. Do not drive this route unless you are an experienced driver but you do not need a four wheel vehicle--just nerves of steel and patience. From Kapalua to Waihe'e you can figure on a drive of about 2-3 hours with stops.
Written April 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kahakuloa Bay (Maui) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Kahakuloa Bay
- We recommend booking Kahakuloa Bay tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 3 Kahakuloa Bay tours on Tripadvisor
- Hotels near Kahakuloa Bay:
- (7.47 mi) Napili Surf Beach Resort
- (7.30 mi) Montage Kapalua Bay
- (8.27 mi) Kahana Village
- (7.39 mi) Napili Kai Beach Resort
- (7.60 mi) Napili Point Resort
- Restaurants near Kahakuloa Bay:
- (0.35 mi) Julia's Banana Bread
- (0.39 mi) Bay View Cafe
- (0.79 mi) Braddah Chic's Stop
- (8.33 mi) Hawaiian Village Coffee
- (7.51 mi) The Coffee Store Napili
- Attractions near Kahakuloa Bay:
- (0.20 mi) Karen Lei's Gallery
- (0.38 mi) Karen Lei's Gallery
- (3.20 mi) Mendes Ranch
- (1.68 mi) Ohai Loop Trail and Overlook
- (3.22 mi) Acid War Zone Trail
Kahakuloa Bay Information
Excellent Reviews | 20 |
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Very Good Reviews | 8 |
Kahakuloa Bay Photos | 38 |