How To Enjoy Maui In A Porsche 356

The Hawaiian island of Maui is one of the most scenic spots on earth, home to some great drives. With over nine different climactic zones covering a modest 727.22 square miles it is an easy travel destination to enjoy via car. Let’s be real here, when you need a rental car, why go in a crappy pedestrian rental car when you can enjoy the drive in a Porsche 356 Speedster?

Maui Roadsters offers just that, the opportunity to experience the full top-down view of the lush rainforests, craggy lava fields, charming historic seaside villages, or whale watching along the beaches and cliffs along the deep indigo blue pacific ocean. Full disclosure – these are replicas of the classic 1957 Speedsters, but good Intermeccanica replicas – everything you need for a classic two-seater driving experience.

What makes it even better is Maui Roadsters is run by a real Porsche Guy. He gets it, he understands what car enthusiasts want to experience, not one of the dozen orange Ford Mustang rentals car which just screams tourist.  The Speedster allows you to feel the road, and reconnect with driving (manual transmission and no power steering). Its fun!

We rented one for a day to tour the winding switchbacks of Upcountry Maui on the side of Haleakala, the largest dormant volcano in the world. It was a blast. As one goes from the sea up the side of the volcano, through farms and a eucalyptus tree forest one can not help but appreciate the awesomeness of nature. Look to down to your left at the verdant yellow green patchwork fields in the central valley separating West Maui from the rest of the island.  What feels worlds away, is only a few miles behind you. On highway 377 (sometimes a quite narrow two lane winding road) you’ll be greeted with the opportunity to traverse as high as you can, to 7,000 feet, or the Ranger Station of Haleakala National Park. These 1.6 liter, dual carb cars aren’t great above this level. But wear a jacket, remember the temperature drops as one’s altitude increases. This may be Hawaii but it can feel cold and windy as you climb!  Though you’d need a different car to go on up to the summit and crater area, the breathtaking views at this level will not disappoint.  Notice when you stop the car, complete silence – you hear nothing. Further along in Kula, every home has a view of the massive Pacific while surrounded by a mix of tropical plants and trees. We continued along up and down the side of the volcano with Ulupalakua Ranch and Maui Wine as our turn around point.  The artsy village of Makawao is a fun stop and a great place to see the wild Maui Roosters. We ended our journey on the North Shore, east of Paia, where the major surfing waves are. We didn’t want to miss the opportunity to view rare 40 foot waves brought in by a unusually large ocean swell which came in during our visit.

A few worthy destinations along the way:

• Kula Lodge (walk around back to the gardens) & Kula Marketplace for all things made local
• The Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm – tour the farm and buy products* made from local Lavender
• Kula Botanical Gardens – plants are much bigger in Maui
• Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill
• Maui Wine at Ulupalakua Ranch
• Hali’maile General Store – great lunch and fabulous dinner
• Shops in Makawao
• North shore beaches

For more information or to book your driving fun-day while on vacation in Maui, click on Maui Roadsters.

*The lavender farm products are fantastic, from bath & body to culinary. I’ve used their Lavender Gourmet Seasoning for years.