We just got back from a trip to Hawaii. The trip itself was great and I'm sure will form many fond memories for my children, however, we had a harrowing experience I'd like to relate in the hopes it might prevent others from being caught in a similar situation.
First, my experience happened in Maui, however, such an experience could happen anywhere, hence, I'm posting here on the much-viewed DIS board. Also, I'm not referring to the Hana HWY, which is a much traveled road, with many twists and turns. That road is relatively safe.
We were staying in Lahaina and decided to go exploring aroung west Maui. We had several maps, all from reputable companies, including AAA. I also had several guide books. None of these books or maps mentioned the danger of the road we stumbled onto.
Like I said, we started off on a good road, State HWY 340. It was a safe, paved, two-lane road. Well, about half way around west Maui, the State HWY ended and turned into County road 340. It was poorly marked, and we didn't even realize we were on a different road until too late to turn back. The only indication that we were on a hazardous road was a single sign that siad "narrow roads next 8 miles". Well, not only were the roads narrow, it was one lane with two way traffic! We didn't realize that until we met with an approaching vehicle. The situation was not improved by being on a road with a mountain on one side and a 5000 ft cliff drop on the other! Fortunately there was enough room for the other vehicle to manuever around us. He just smiled and waved! Well, we were quite shook up at that point, but it got worse. There were many blind turns on very narrow portions of road. What if we met someone on an almost 90 degree turn? Who backs up? We were absolutely terrified. Some portions of the road were a little wider than others, but at no point along that 8-mile stretch was there 2 lanes. Fortunately, it was daytime and good weather and we were on the mountain side. We were planning to eat on west Maui, watch the sunset, the drive back that road at night. It fortunate at least it was daytime. We met many drivers coming the other way, they were all courteous and made way for us, sometimes backing up. I found out later that the one driving on the mountain side is the one expected to back up, for obvious reasons. They probably realized we didn't know how to drive that road. The other vehicles were all off-road types, while we were in a rental minivan. We even had one guy back up and bank along the mountainside to clear us, waving all the way. I since found a website with pictures of this road, so you can see how terrifying it was www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Kahekili-Hwy.htm
Well, we did get down and lived to tell the tale, but I kept thinking how can this be happening? I read maps, guide books, etc. Its not like we decided to go wandering off the beaten path and blundered into an unsafe road. I mean, this road didn't even have reflectors, painted lines, nothing to guide you! When we finally did get off that road, we glanced at our rental car map. It said that road was dangerous and a violation of the rental agreement. It was the only map or guide we had that warned of the dangers of that road. You can sure bet in the future we will always read those maps and heed their warnings! Many scoff at rental car map warnings, however, they are there for a reason.
So, if you go to Maui, be careful of that road. However, that applies to just about anywhere. I guess you can't just assume that if its a road on a map its safe to drive. Nothing told us it was one lane with two way traffic! My advice to anyone taking a road trip anywhere is to carefully research your roads. Also, do be aware that a county road is not maintained as well as a state or federal road. I can't tell you how terrifying that road was--I still have nightmares about it. Do research your roads throughly, wherever you drive!
First, my experience happened in Maui, however, such an experience could happen anywhere, hence, I'm posting here on the much-viewed DIS board. Also, I'm not referring to the Hana HWY, which is a much traveled road, with many twists and turns. That road is relatively safe.
We were staying in Lahaina and decided to go exploring aroung west Maui. We had several maps, all from reputable companies, including AAA. I also had several guide books. None of these books or maps mentioned the danger of the road we stumbled onto.
Like I said, we started off on a good road, State HWY 340. It was a safe, paved, two-lane road. Well, about half way around west Maui, the State HWY ended and turned into County road 340. It was poorly marked, and we didn't even realize we were on a different road until too late to turn back. The only indication that we were on a hazardous road was a single sign that siad "narrow roads next 8 miles". Well, not only were the roads narrow, it was one lane with two way traffic! We didn't realize that until we met with an approaching vehicle. The situation was not improved by being on a road with a mountain on one side and a 5000 ft cliff drop on the other! Fortunately there was enough room for the other vehicle to manuever around us. He just smiled and waved! Well, we were quite shook up at that point, but it got worse. There were many blind turns on very narrow portions of road. What if we met someone on an almost 90 degree turn? Who backs up? We were absolutely terrified. Some portions of the road were a little wider than others, but at no point along that 8-mile stretch was there 2 lanes. Fortunately, it was daytime and good weather and we were on the mountain side. We were planning to eat on west Maui, watch the sunset, the drive back that road at night. It fortunate at least it was daytime. We met many drivers coming the other way, they were all courteous and made way for us, sometimes backing up. I found out later that the one driving on the mountain side is the one expected to back up, for obvious reasons. They probably realized we didn't know how to drive that road. The other vehicles were all off-road types, while we were in a rental minivan. We even had one guy back up and bank along the mountainside to clear us, waving all the way. I since found a website with pictures of this road, so you can see how terrifying it was www.hawaiihighways.com/photos-Kahekili-Hwy.htm
Well, we did get down and lived to tell the tale, but I kept thinking how can this be happening? I read maps, guide books, etc. Its not like we decided to go wandering off the beaten path and blundered into an unsafe road. I mean, this road didn't even have reflectors, painted lines, nothing to guide you! When we finally did get off that road, we glanced at our rental car map. It said that road was dangerous and a violation of the rental agreement. It was the only map or guide we had that warned of the dangers of that road. You can sure bet in the future we will always read those maps and heed their warnings! Many scoff at rental car map warnings, however, they are there for a reason.
So, if you go to Maui, be careful of that road. However, that applies to just about anywhere. I guess you can't just assume that if its a road on a map its safe to drive. Nothing told us it was one lane with two way traffic! My advice to anyone taking a road trip anywhere is to carefully research your roads. Also, do be aware that a county road is not maintained as well as a state or federal road. I can't tell you how terrifying that road was--I still have nightmares about it. Do research your roads throughly, wherever you drive!
