TripAdvisor

[Wao nahele kane]

Now the question remains; are rental cars prohibited to drive to the top of Mauna Kea? I would imagine that it depends on the rental car agency. Typically the rental contracts will outline exactly which roads are off limits. I recall one of our contracts many years ago verbally described the roads that were off limits and I recall one being the coastal dirt roads beyond south point to green sands and other like type roads in the area. The road to south point was not off limits. They may have had a restriction from the visitors center at Mauna Kea to the top where the observatories are located. Ie... do not drive beyond Mauna Kea visitors rest center at Mauna Kea.
I doubt any contracts state that all roads that are not paved in asphalt, cement, paver stone or brick are off limits.
I think both KK and SheaG are confused in what applies to what and should stop giving out advice in that area beyond simply recommending they read their rental car contracts carefully as I doubt all have the same policies with regard to all the various roads on the island. Some might even disallow driving to the visitors center at Mauna Kea, while some don't restrict it.
Simply stating it's okay to drive to the visitors center but not beyond opens them up for liability should a rental contract say it's not acceptable to drive to the visitors center.