The most basic definition of “Aloha” is hello - but when you hit the 50th state of the Union, you find it means a great many things. More a way of life than a definable word, I found this out on an adventure overseas in Maui. For the ride I’m about to take you on, it began with a 6-hour flight and lots of Aloha.
Every so often, we need to get away and see the world around us, and off-roading in Maui is a perfect way to do just that. Journeying over different regions of our country satisfies one of our basic instincts and needs, exploration. America is the most wonderful countries in my eyes – with diversity of not only landscape, but also people. Maui is an amazing demonstration of that diversity.
I set out to circle the entire island in a Jeep and see what the island said to me. What I discovered, was that being in Maui is a spiritual journey - and the cars we love help to take us there.
For the most part our cars get us through our daily routines of daily commutes and errands. To us who consider ourselves auto enthusiasts, cars become part of the journey and not just what gets us to and fro. We build cars for individual purposes, and the Jeep has long-been a make dedicated to the great off-road. Off-roading brings half the fun during the ride and the other half when you get to the destination!
Circling Maui in a Jeep – brought lots of different terrain, scenery, and people – with Aloha being demonstrated each step of the way. There are a ton of natural wonders to see - from rainforest, deserts, and lava flows from years past.
The roads in most of the island are very nice - but when you really want to get to more deserted coastal sights, roads get less conventional and even non-existent.
While we didn’t go as far as real rock crawling, after passing Hana the dirt track roads climbing cliff sides brought some real excitement.
It’s hard to watch the road, as the landscape is ever changing, but you do have to keep a sharp eye out for falling boulders and other day-trippers. When I say falling boulders, I mean it - divots mark the spots where boulders have dropped!
From deserted beaches, lava fields, pineapple farmland, tide pools – some of these places made you wonder when the last person had been there…it all felt like Aloha.
Aloha is all about the destinations we’re headed towards - and Maui makes you go a little slower in our fast paced world. This island is an amazing addition to our country and I urge everyone to go…time’s a waisting!
-Tim Sutton