Our first taste of Maui back in 1998 was driving around West Maui right after a six hour plane ride. That was not the best time to do this three hour experience. It is like doing a tamer Road to Hana drive without all the bridges. Most of the drive at that time was along a single lane. The road has improved, but over 10 miles of the single land road still exist.
Using “Maui Revealed” by Andrew Doughly and Harriatt Friedman, we learned to drive “clockwise” around West Maui. Being on the “inside” helped my wife’s fear of being on the outside.
Our first stop was finding “Dragon’s Teeth” geological formation. Using “The Ultimate Guide,” we found this formation which was caused by lava, wind and waves.
We actually had to ask a Ritz Carleton bartender where it is located. “Follow the hedge” to the sea, he said. It is quite impressive. The formation is on a small peninsula overlooking the village of Kapalua and the island of Molokai. Kathie also uncovered a “rock maze.” A local saw the maze on TV watching golf from Kapalua. “I was wondering where that was.”
We did stop and see four women hit their golf shot within feet of the hole. These women were good. Not many people know about “Dragon’s Teeth,” and Ritz Carleton probably wants to keep it that way.
The next stop was at a pullover overlook of Honolua Bay. This is my favorite place to snorkel between mile marker 32 and 33. Unfortunately, in March, there can be considerable amount of water runoff from the mountains. The day we rode by it was perfect.
Every so often there are crosses near the road. We are not sure if the person died close by or what. Kathie became “choked” up when she read one marker where the deceased was born on her birthday.
We did do 1.2 miles of a Ohai loop trail and spotted whales close to the coast. One whale was actually flipping his fluke. It was here where we met a father and daughter from Portland, Oregon.
We did further stops at the Olivine Pools, the mushroom shaped rock and Kahakuloa Head that reminds me of one of the Pitons on St. Lucia. The famous “Nakalele Blowhole” was not in action as the waves were calm. It was an enjoyable ride, except for one close call with a local who came a little to close for comfort because he was driving way too fast for the conditions.
