Road to Hana: Maui's Ultimate Road Trip

	Arial view of beachside town Hana 1

Often referred to as a highway to heaven, the Road to Hana is a 55 mi (89 km) long road carved into the side of Maui Island that offers amazing sights and a multitude of attractions along the way. Ideal for the outdoor ennthusiast, the highway is a twisting, curving road for the adventurous that consists of about 600 sketchy curves and about 59 bridges, more than half of which are one-lane bridges. Not for the faint of heart, this daylong road trip could be one of the better experiences a tourist can have on Maui but if not fully prepared, it could be a treacherous trip. However, for those brave enough to attempt it, this ultimate road trip awards travelers with some of Hawaii's most impressive sights and oceanfront views along the way.

CLIMATE

Weather conditions on Maui can vary greatly depending on elevation and location. Summertime in Hana and area sees temperatures range from about 68º F (20ºC) to 84º F (29ºC). Generally, December to February are the coolest months in this small town with temperatures ranging from 64ºF (18ºC) to 79ºF (26ºC). Early spring is one of the wettest times of the year for the town with an average of about 10 in (25 cm) of precipitation per month. One of the better times to make the Road to Hana trip is just after this rainy season in late May or early June because waterfalls are swollen with rainwater and thus more impressive.

GEOGRAPHY

Hana Highway, officially Highway 360, is located on the northeastern side of the island of Maui. About 68 mi (109 km) long, it roughly begins at Kahului and extends to Hana, unofficially ending a little past the farm town of Kipahulu. The highway runs along the north and east sides of Mount Haleakala and goes through lush rainforests, pasturelands and taro fields. This paved road is generally well maintained yet consists of various twists, turns, and one-lane bridges. Without stopovers, the road takes about two hours to travel by car. Sights and attractions along the way include swimming holes, beaches and countless roadside waterfalls.

TRANSPORTATION

	Winding curves on Hana Highway 2

Renting a vehicle is essential in order to travel the Road to Hana. Fortunately, there are various rental options on Maui ranging from cars and trucks to environmentally friendly vehicles. If traveling alone or with a partner, a motorcycle could be a great and fun option. Otherwise, perhaps the best way to travel this winding and sometimes unforgiving road is to rent a jeep. For an added bonus, jeeps with removable soft tops offer a cool breeze for those warm Maui days.

There are also a few important points to remember when driving on Maui. When giving directions, locals will often use the terms mauka and makai rather than north and south or east and west. Mauka means towards the mountain, or Mount Haleakala, and makai means towards the sea. In addition to this, the speed limit for most of Hana Highway is 15 mi (24 km) per hour. It is important to respect this limit, especially when driving on one-lane-wide areas, bridges or approaching and driving on curves.

For those not wanting to drive the highway, many tour companies offer daytrips along the Road to Hana with frequent stops at the more popular roadside attractions.

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

Paia
Located on Maui's North Shore, the historical plantation town of Paia is the last real rest stop before embarking on the Road to Hana. The town is a place of unique shops and boutiques filled with culture and a casual Hawaiian atmosphere. The town's restaurants also offer visitors with a wide range of culinary specialties to choose from, including Hawaiian, vegetarian, seafood and cafes. While here, travelers should take the time to fill up on water, snacks and essentials before embarking on the road trip. There are no gas stations along Hana Highway but a full tank leaving from Paia is enough to make it through the trip. Additionally, the best time to make the trip is on a weekday early in the morning long before sunrise in order to avoid the Hana Highway tourist rush. When first leaving Paia, Hana Highway will be marked as Highway 36. A sign naming Highway 360 is the point where travelers should reset their mile markers so as not to miss the attractions along the way.

Mile Markers
At mile marker two, travelers will encounter Twin Falls, the first waterfall and natural pool along the Road the Hana. The falls are about a five-minute hike from the road along a clear trail while a larger pool is about 10 more minutes up the trail. The falls themselves are a gentle flow of water and make a great place for a morning dip.

	Looking up in Maui's bamboo forest 3

Just past mile marker seven is a spectacular bamboo forest that offers great photo opportunities. Drivers can pull over at Kaaiea Bridge to explore and hike through the forest with its stunning long, thin bamboo stalks towering quite a few feet up. The Koolau Forest Reserve at mile marker nine is also a suitable place for a hike. It is a lush green area filled with guava, mango and avocado trees. With its clear trail, the area is excellent for families.

Puohokamoa Falls, a 30-foot-tall waterfall, can be found at mile marker 11. The falls are located in the Garden of Eden Arboretum and with its deep pool, are a suitable place for swimming. However, this popular area can get congested with tourist traffic.

An ideal place to stop for a needed break is Kaumahina State Wayside Park at mile marker 12. This is an eight acre (3 ha) forested rest stop complete with restrooms, picnic tables and picturesque views of the northeast Maui coastline. However, showers and drinking water are not available in this area.

Between mile marker 16 and 17 travelers will find the Keanae Arboretum, a tropical park and botanical garden. The area features a number of trails that takes visitors through the rainforest where they may enjoy tropical plants, flowers and foliage. Directly after the arboretum just past mile marker 17 is the Halfway to Hana food stand that sells drinks, snacks and very famous banana bread.

Just after mile marker 19 is a great photo opportunity at Wailua Valley State Wayside Park. Visitors to this stop will find a staircase that will lead them to the Keanae Lookout. This lookout offers views of the northern Maui coastline including Keanae Valley complete with taro fields and a few waterfalls.

Upper Waikani Falls, also known as Three Bears Falls, is located between mile marker 19 and 20. Accessible by a short path, these popular falls are 70 ft (21 m) tall and cascade in three side-by-side sections when water flow is not heavy. During high flow, the swollen waterfall merges into one.

Another ideal place for a swim is located between mile marker 22 and 23 at Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park. Made up of five acres (2 ha) of tropical rain forest, the park offers a softly falling waterfall and numerous natural pools accessible by a path. Amenities at this park include public restrooms, a picnic area and telephones but no drinking water.

For those desiring to move off the highway, the small community of Nahiku is located on Nahiku Road two and a half miles (4 km) off Hana Highway a little past mile marker 25. The stopover at this former rubber plantation town offers guests with the opportunity to stock up on fruit from local fruit stands. Nahiku Road will also take travelers straight down to the Pacific Ocean for some spectacular views.

	Heleleikeoha Falls, also known as Blue Pool 4

Back on the highway at mile marker 31 and about three miles (5 km) into Ulaino Road is Heleleikeoha Falls, also known as Blue Pool. Well worth the visit, this picturesque area offers a light waterfall with a natural pool that faces the ocean. The rocks from which this waterfall cascades shelter this little oasis making it a perfect place for a relaxing swim.

Hana Airport can be found back on the highway just before mile marker 32, Waianapanapa State Park. This small single runway airport includes a hang gliding company where the adventurous can hang glide over the Hana coastline and view waterfalls, rainforests and even Haleakala Crater. For those not brave enough for this adventure, Waianapanapa State Park is a well-maintained area with picnic tables, a restroom and cabins for rent. Here, visitors will find Oneuli Beach, also known as Black Sand Beach because of the dark, fine volcanic rocks that make up the beach. A lava tube cave and natural blowhole that sprays seawater are also located here. This popular park situated just outside Hana is an ideal place for snorkeling, hiking and swimming in the water pools near the lava caves.

	Natural pools at Oheo Gulch 5

Hana

At the end of the road trip is the small quiet town of Hana, a place for visitors to relax and enjoy an old Hawaiian way of life. If possible, visitors should spend the night in Hana in order to benefit fully from this relaxing atmosphere after a daylong drive. The famous Hotel Hana-Maui is a popular accommodation spot for those traveling the Road to Hana. The town also offers a few restaurants, shops, fresh fruit stands and numerous beaches including a red sand beach.

After a night's rest, travelers should take the time to visit a final well-worth site before turning back. Oheo Gulch, better known as the Seven Sacred Pools, is located about 45 minutes after Hana and off the highway near Haleakala National Park. This final highlight on the Road to Hana road trip is a beautiful site with fresh water lava pools perfect for swimming. The area features a series of small waterfalls that flow into several consecutive pools finally reaching the nearby ocean. Picnicking, hiking and swimming are great options here. For access to the pools, visitors should park at nearby Haleakala National Park and walk about 15 minutes to the site. Public washrooms are available.