1. ROAD TO HANA – MAUI
The Road to Hana on Maui's rugged east coast is one of the world's most spectacular road trips – looped with 620 curves, pinched with 59 narrow bridges and strung with red, white and black sand beaches there's a spine-tingling vista around every corner. Hire a Mustang convertible (you know you want to), put the roof down and drive the 100 kilometres between Kahului and Hana in one exhilarating day, or stretch it across two or three. Don't miss hanging with the hippies at Paia, swimming under Three Bears Falls, buying fresh banana bread at Twin Falls and stopping at Nahiku village for some of the best views of the crenulated coastline. See int.gohawaii.com/au/
2. CRATERS, COFFEE AND COWBOYS – BIG ISLAND
The winding road to Hana.
Weave your way around the entire island or drive a leg of it – either way you'll uncover three surprising things. First, you can get a decent coffee (it's where the United States stockpiles its good stuff). Cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Kona coffee is one of the best and most expensive in the world. Stop at any number of farm gates for tastings and tours. Second, cowboys (or paniolo) hang out in the highlands. Descendants of Mexican vaqueros, these lei-wearing ranchers will invite you to join them on a trail ride or to become a "cowboy" for a day. Third, the island is a jigsaw of five volcano pieces, including Kilauea, the world's most active. See greenwellfarms.com
3. TURTLES AND WATERFALLS – OAHU
If Honolulu is everything hot and hip, then the bohemian North Shore is it's polar opposite – calm, cool and a decidedly off-kilter. A left turn out of Honolulu airport instead of the well-worn right to Waikiki Beach brings you to Turtle Bay and the fabled surf town of Haleiwa. Spend the morning shopping for trinkets, swimming with sea turtles or hiking to Waimea Falls. After a pit stop lunch at one of the shrimp trucks dotted along the highway, enjoy a kayak at Kailua Bay or a snorkel at Hanauma Bay Nature Reserve. Since Oahu is a mere 48 kilometres by 70 kilometres, you'll be back in Waikiki in time for sunset drinks. See turtlebayresort.com
4. SADDLE ROAD – BIG ISLAND
If you love rollercoasters, you'll love this drive, cutting through the saddle-shaped valley running between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes. Built by the military in 1942 as a strategic shortcut to get from one side of the island to the other, it passes through unique scenery. Once considered the most dangerous road in the state, it is now sealed and well maintained, although not without some blind spots. Allow a couple of hours to travel from Kailua-Kona to Hilo, passing through remote moon-like landscapes, black lava fields and lush pastures. Don't miss the side trip to Mauna Kea observatory. See ifa.hawaii.edu
5. KEALAKEKUA BAY TO KILAUEA – BIG ISLAND
While most history buffs know that Captain James Cook was killed in 1779 after a skirmish with Hawaiians, few know the exact location. Twenty kilometres south of Kailua-Kona, a corkscrew detour brings you to Kealakekua Bay, a marine reserve where you can hire kayaks and paddle across to the beach where the great navigator died (marked by a white obelisk). From here, the drive around the southern tip is the least developed part of the Big Island with stretches of lava fields, fishing villages and turnoffs to black and green sand beaches. The ultimate reward is Kilauea and the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Drive the Chain of Craters road, hike to see petroglyphs and watch the sunrise across the steaming Halemaumau crater. See nps.gov/index.htm
6. SOUTH-EAST COAST – MAUI
The road beyond Hana is just as sparkling as the Road to Hana, but less visited (be aware that some sections are unsealed so check your rental-car agreement). South of Hana is Hamoa Beach, a crescent-shaped surf beach ringed with lush vegetation. From here the road hugs the coastline, passing waterfalls and fruit stands before reaching Ohe'o Gulch (seven sacred pools). It is part of Haleakala National Parkand officials allow swimming in the last pool only, and only when conditions are safe. Pause at Palapala Ho'omau Church to visit Charles Lindbergh's grave before leaving the coast and heading "upcountry" for the long detour to Haleakala National Park. Time your arrival for sunset from the summit. See nps.gov/index.htm
Kerry van der Jagt travelled with the assistance of Hawaii Tourism Oceania
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