Top 5 Stops on the Road to Hāna
There are so many stops on the road to Hāna that most people miss something that they wish they had the time for.
This is why Maui has one of the highest return rates in the destination travel industry.
The road to Hāna on Maui’s lushly rugged east side is a stunning yet white knuckled road trip into the heart of what most people dream about when they think of Hawaiʻi: tropical waterfalls, remote beaches with fruit and flowers hanging everywhere in the rainforest. The road to Hāna is definitely all of these and more. It does take some planning though, and unless you’re on a tour van where everything is taken care of you could end up feeling stressed out. That’s the opposite of what a Hawai’i vacation is supposed to be.
The road to Hāna is an all day journey whether you go all the way around or not. This is because there is only one road going around this entire side of the island. Returning visitors often go to Hāna many times as there is always something new to be discovered. New flowers, new views, new hikes, new waterfalls, new roads, new fruit stands, new seasons and constantly changing weather. At the same time there are many things that do not change. The ancient landscape of waterfalls, peninsulas, farms, flowers, and forests have coexisted in this rugged jungle environment with the residents, many of whom who’s families have lived out here for centuries. Having spent just over a decade traveling and photographing the road to Hana I have developed a list of my tried and true favorites.
If you drive on your own, learn the etiquette of driving the road to Hāna, leave early, pick several stops that look the most interesting and try spending a little more time at them and less driving around hoping something will catch your eye. You may have to bypass some of the not so interesting stops, but you can’t see it all in one day anyways. If that’s you’re goal, take a tour.
Here Are the Top 5 Stop on the Road To Hāna
1.) The Hāna Rainforest
Once you’ve gone through the town of Paʻia and past Ho’okipa Bay the road starts to get narrow and winding. For the most part the view is mostly rock walls and dense rainforest gulches sprinkled with an occasional view of the ocean. That’s why I like to stop within the first 30 to 45 minutes of the drive just to get out and see the trees and forest up close. There are not a lot of parking or hiking trails along this road and for good reason… one wrong step and it can be hundreds of feet free fall to the ocean. If you’re on a tour van this is not an issue as a guide knows where all the safe stops are. I like stopping at the painted eucalyptus trees for a couple of quick photos and a nice leg stretch to start the day.
2.) Ke’anae Peninsula
This is a great place to stop and get a feel for how wild and raw the Hana coastline really is. The view looking back from where you just traveled is stunning. This is also a bathroom stop and the banana bread stand at Aunty Sandy’s Keanae Landing is excellent. Be careful of the ocean waves and lava rocks along this coastline. The tide pools are fascinating but rogue waves can show up at anytime here. Several people have been injured or lost their lives at this location from these waves. A tour guide can show you where the big waves hit and share some history about the old stone church that sits a few yards from the bathrooms.
3.) Black Sand Beach
Wai’anapanapa State Park is an amazing place where you’ll not only get to walk on Maui’s black sand beach but there are interesting paths, trails, lava tubes and fresh water caves to explore. Walk the path along the coast and you’ll discover a blow hole, ocean cliffs and lava sea arches. There are camping spots here which are first come first serve and several rustic cabins that must be reserved in advance. Staying the night in Hana is really one of the best ways to see and experience this side of the island but if you only have a day this is a fantastic place to spend some time. If you’re on a tour this is a good 45 to 60 minute stop with the added benefit of local stories and history thrown in.
4.) Local Food
The number and variety of farmers markets have increased in Maui over the last few years but the fruit stands throughout the Hana area have been around for many decades. They are well known for having some of the best variety and flavors of fresh fruit anywhere in Hawai’i. Many of these stands have smoothies made with fresh sugar cane juice, which is my favorite. I usually stop at several fruit stands because I’m always on the lookout for my favorites like apple bananas, Tahitian lilikoi and the big prize… monster avocados! Whatever you may find I recommend getting a little more than you think you can eat. By the time you get back to your hotel or condo you’ll wish you had more. Tour guides can help with this because they know what’s ripening when and who has the best trees and thus, the tastiest fruit.
5.) Koki Beach
This reddish gold sand beach is on the other side of Hamoa beach. Hamoa beach is well known having been voted “best beach” many times but it is quite small and can be difficult to find parking and requires going down a steep path. Koki beach is a bit more accessible and beautiful in my opinion since Alau Island can be seen just off shore from here. I wouldn’t swim here though as the waves are treacherous and some have been injured on the unseen lava rocks. The red cinder cone behind this beach has a great ancient Hawaiian legend I learned about from a tour guide. Always something new….
Aloha Nui Loa
