Hello Friends and Family,
Link to this year's index by clicking here.
Maui: The Old Pali Road |
If you have ever visited Maui, you probably have driven the Pali Road (technically the Honoapiilani Highway) to get to Lahaina. It is only two lanes but wide enough with good shoulders so it is quite safe while providing wonderful views of South Maui, Molokini, Kaho`olawe and Lana`i — not to mention the occasional Humpback whale during the winter months. Well, have you ever noticed the old road that runs above, across and below the new road? Below is one of those points where the old road crosses the new although it now looks like just a turnoff.
This original stretch of road along these cliffs was four miles long and had 115 sharp curves. The road was built by prison laborers around 1900 to replace the The Lahaina Pali Trail which now is an historic trail that is still hiked today. ![]() |
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By the way, it appeared to me that most of the roadway was about one and one half car widths wide. That meant if you met an oncoming vehicle, one of you would have to back up to a wider spot to let the other vehicle pass. Interestingly, I remember when the road to Hana was like that. Fortunately, that road has been widened so two vehicles can pass except for on the bridges. It also has improved guardrails. |
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Since the roadway is not maintained at all, there were a lot of kiawe twigs strewn about — and it was impossible not to walk on them. As I have experienced before, these twigs will stick their sharp thorns into the soles of your shoes. Fortunately, I remembered to bring my Leatherman tool with me to Maui so I could remove the thorns once I returned to my condo. I eventually had to turn back because of the kiawe trees blocking my passage. I did not want to get scratched by the thorns nor risk falling down the hill trying to avoid them. For anyone else planning to follow in my footsteps, I would recommend carrying a sharp machete to clear a safe pathway. |
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[B. David's Editorial] The locals who remember when this was "the road to Lahaina" are getting older — many have died off already — the rest will follow in the next decade or so. But this roadway is part of Maui's past and should not be forgotten. I call on Maui County to restore the roadway for use by hikers. Of course that requires cutting back kiawe trees and trimming the tall grasses. And it will also require some thought about how to handle the spots where the two roadways cross — but it will be worthwhile to preserve this little piece of Maui's history. More Maui next week. |
Life is good.
Aloha,
B. David
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com