This Stunningly Scenic Road Is Better Known As Hawaii's Most Dangerous
Maui is an unexpectedly perfect Hawaiian island. Its natural beauty shines at sites like Ka'anapali Beach and Honolua Bay, one of the best places to Snorkel in Hawaii. However, there is a dark side to paradise. Hawaii's beaches are considered the world's most dangerous, but it also has treacherous roads. This includes Kahekili Highway, which has often been referred to as one of the most dangerous roads in the entire world. In fact, some car rental agencies prohibit their vehicles from traversing this road.
Also called Highway 340, Kahekili Highway only spans 20 miles. It takes drivers and passengers from Kapalua, known for being home to The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, to Wailuku, a popular shopping and dining area. The journey includes majestic coastal views and lush greenery. The kicker? Kahekili Highway is incredibly narrow and features cliffside twists and sharp turns. It also lacks safety rails, and in some sections, there is only one lane. Needless to say, this makes for a heart-pounding cruise.
Describing their experience on Kahekili Highway, one reviewer on Tripadvisor wrote, "The worst point was teetering inches or centimeters from a STEEP cliff on a one lane stretch with 3 cars coming toward us. We had to back up. If the oversized truck would have bumped us, we would have gone over. I wanted to get out of the car. The closest I've been to death." Another said they witnessed an accident. Tragically, several have lost their lives on Kahekili Highway.
The many accidents on Kahekili Highway
Kahekili Highway has had several renovations in the past decade. Notably, the road has been repaved and repaired. Nevertheless, accidents have continued to plague Kahekili Highway over the last few years. In January 2021, a 35-year-old woman died after her car went over a cliff on Kahekili Highway. That same year, a 17-year-old died from a crash that resulted from speeding.
That accident led Maui residents to tell Hawaii News Now that they regularly witnessed cars speeding on Kahekili Highway and urged enhanced safety measures. Ed Sniffen, the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Deputy Director for Highways, told the outlet that change would be enacted. "Whether it's through speed tables, whether it's through raised pedestrian crosswalks, or looking at other infrastructure improvements to make sure we can make it safer," he assured.
Although additional repairs have been made on Kahekili Highway since 2021, safety is still an issue. In early 2024, a 59-year-old man died after crashing into a tree on Kahekili Highway. A few weeks later, an individual walking on Kahekili Highway was hit by a truck and died. But not all accidents have ended in calamity. One elderly woman's car went over a cliff that same month. However, she was rescued and survived the incident.
Advice for driving Kahekili Highway
Despite its treachery, motorists continue to navigate Kahekili Highway. Reviewers on Tripadvisor note several places of interest along the road. This includes Julia's Best Banana Bread, a stand on Kahekili Highway that sells banana bread and other baked goods. The Olivine Pools are another draw. There is a trailhead located off the road that takes visitors to these enchanting tidepools. However, like Kahekili Highway, the Olivine Pools have a reputation for being dangerous, as injuries and deaths have been reported there. In addition, there's the Nakalele Blowhole, known for spewing water several feet into the sky. Visitors must also hike down from Kahekili Highway to reach this natural wonder.
That said, Tripadvisor reviewers who have traversed the road have suggestions for potential drivers. Apart from steering clear of reckless road-trip mistakes, one individual on the site widely advised, "The key is to take it slow and let other vehicles pass if they are on your tail. It's hard to drive fast as there are almost no stretches of straight flat road. Watch out for rocks. I saw several that could damage your car if you hit them wrong." Another wrote, "If you go slow, and drive during the daylight hours, you'll be fine. Let the locals pass when you can so you don't feel rushed and stay focused on the road and oncoming traffic." Lastly, reviewers pointed out to avoid driving in the rain.