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- HPD seeks witnesses to fatal freeway crash, dead motorcyclists identified [10/04/2011]
- State to unveil school anti-bullying plan [10/04/2011]
- 'Graying Hippies' in Hilo Join NY City Allies in Protest of 'Corporate Greed and Influence' [10/04/2011]
- Man drowns after jumping off tower into reservoir [10/04/2011]
Is it safe to drive on Saddle Road?
You might be looking at your map of the Big Island thinking... that big swath they cut across the island looks like a really convenient way to get to Hilo from Kona. Don't bet on it. Most, but not all, rental car companies prohibit renters from driving on this stretch of highway. Harper's Rental in Hilo and Kona is the only company that allows it to our knowledge. This 48-mile stretch of road slices between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The Hilo side of the Saddle is well-paved but still experiences dense, sweeping fog, rain storms, speeding truckers, and some blind curves. If you get a car from Harper's the best route is to approach Mauna Kea from Hilo. The portion of Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Kona is crumbly, bumpy and generally unsafe for visitors.
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