Driving Out of Disaster: Survivalist Secrets for Navigating Hawaii’s Worst Roads in a Crisis
Let me tell you something I’ve learned the hard way—wilderness survival skills are worth their weight in gold, but if you can’t drive your way out of hell when the ground starts shaking or the sea comes crashing in, all that bushcraft won’t do you a lick of good.
I’ve driven across lands scarred by wildfires, through hurricane-ravaged coastlines, and dodged falling ash from volcanic eruptions. And nowhere else are the stakes higher—or the roads rougher—than in Hawaii when nature turns mean. Paradise, yes. But when Pele gets restless or the sky splits open with rain, even a short drive can feel like an exodus through chaos.
So here’s what you need to know.
Hawaii’s Worst Roads in a Disaster
You need to respect the terrain. Hawaii isn’t like the mainland. Each island has its own personality—and its own deathtraps when disaster strikes.
- Highway 11 (Big Island) – Cuts across lava fields. A major eruption and this artery gets buried in fire and stone. During the 2018 Kilauea eruption, whole chunks of this road turned to rubble.
- Piilani Highway (Maui) – Scenic as hell, but remote. One landslide and you’re boxed in by cliffs and ocean.
- Kahekili Highway (Maui) – Narrow, winding, and crumbling in places. Try maneuvering through here with other panicked drivers. Good luck.
- Mauna Kea Access Road (Big Island) – If you think driving up a volcano during a storm is smart, think again. Ice, fog, lava, and altitude will gang up on you.
- Farrington Highway (Oahu) – Known for washouts, rockslides, and flash flooding. Get stuck here and you might not see another car for hours.
- Hana Highway (Maui) – 600+ hairpin turns. A gorgeous trap if blocked by landslides.
- Saddle Road (Daniel K. Inouye Highway, Big Island) – Offers an inland escape, but high elevation, fog, and wild weather can make it treacherous.
- Likelike Highway (Oahu) – One of the few roads through the Koʻolau Range. Block that, and Honolulu locks up fast.
- Tantalus/Round Top Drive (Oahu) – Landslides, sharp turns, zero visibility at night. You don’t want to be here when it gets slick.
- Kalanianaole Highway (Oahu) – Hugs the coast. When the sea rises, so do your chances of getting swept off the road.
Now, imagine being stuck on one of these during an earthquake, tsunami warning, or lava flow. That’s not the time to figure things out. That’s why you prepare now.
15 Survival Driving Skills to Master Before SHTF
- Off-road navigation – Not all roads go where you need to be. Learn how to read terrain and improvise your own route.
- Driving without GPS – Assume satellites fail. Get good with paper maps and landmarks.
- Using momentum – In low traction or uphill scenarios, use your vehicle’s weight and speed wisely to avoid getting bogged.
- Brake modulation – In wet or gravel terrain, slamming your brakes is suicide. Learn to pulse brake and control your stops.
- Tire repair on the fly – A flat in disaster country? If you can’t plug it, patch it, or swap it, you’re stuck.
- High-water crossing techniques – Know the depth limit of your vehicle and how to create a wake. Never rush water deeper than your axles.
- Escape from mud/sand traps – Use branches, floor mats, or even clothing to create traction. A shovel in the trunk goes a long way.
- Driving with broken windows or no windshield – Clear goggles and duct tape will keep the wind and ash out of your eyes and lungs.
- Manual override knowledge – Know how to manually shift your auto trans vehicle, disable electric locks, and pop the fuel door.
- Stealth driving at night – Tape your brake lights and use only side markers or a red lens flashlight. When avoiding detection is key, blackout mode matters.
- Controlled skids – Understand understeer vs. oversteer. Practicing skid recovery on a dirt lot can save your life.
- Conserving fuel with coasting – Coast downhill in neutral (manuals preferred) and cut the engine when not in motion.
- Evading roadblocks – Turnarounds, backtracking, and finding alternative routes with minimal delay. Don’t commit to a blocked road.
- Driving in ash – Keep the engine air filter clean and use a wet cloth over the intake if possible. Go slow to avoid clogging up critical systems.
- Towing and recovery – Learn how to use tow straps, winches, and chains without snapping them like a whip.
3 DIY Survival Driving Hacks When You Run Out of Gas
Let’s face it—when everyone’s fleeing, fuel disappears fast. Here’s how you stretch or make do when the tank’s dry:
- Siphon from abandoned vehicles
Keep a siphon pump in your trunk. Modern cars make this harder, but it’s not impossible. A clear hose, gravity, and some patience can net you a few gallons from cars left behind. - DIY alcohol fuel
If you’re really desperate and your car can handle it (older engines preferred), you can mix ethanol or high-proof alcohol (like grain alcohol or moonshine) with gasoline in small amounts. Never exceed 10-15% unless your vehicle is flex-fuel rated. - Fuel cache with stabilizer
This is prepper 101: stash a 5-gallon can with fuel stabilizer hidden somewhere along your bug-out route. Rotate it every 6 months. Not a hack in the moment, but a lifesaver when it counts.
Mindset, Not Metal, Gets You Through
No vehicle is disaster-proof, and no road is ever truly safe. But your knowledge and instincts are what turn your 4×4, sedan, or motorcycle into a survival tool. Think ahead. Scan the terrain. Stay calm. A driver in control is a survivor in motion.
Remember: in Hawaii, a lot can go wrong fast—tsunamis, landslides, volcanic activity, flash floods. When the sirens blare or the ground rumbles, you don’t want to be stuck behind someone fumbling with Google Maps or trying to reverse through a rockfall.
Be the one with the spare tire, full tank, laminated map, and eyes on the next move.
Final Thoughts
Hawaii’s roads offer some of the most stunning drives in the world—but in a disaster, they become choke points, traps, and dead ends. If you live there, or even plan to visit during hurricane or eruption season, treat driving like a survival skill. Practice. Prepare. Preload your routes. And remember—disaster favors the unprepared.
I’ve made it out of more messes than I can count because I drove smart, stayed calm, and never relied on luck. With these skills and hacks, you can do the same.
TheDailyChristian 