Maui: Road to Hāna

The famed Road to Hāna is Maui’s biggest, most scenic, and admirable attraction! It is a beautiful 64-mile winding, two-lane road, full of sharp turns that leads you to Hāna, a quaint town on the eastern side of island, and beyond. The long drive, which can take up to 5-6 hours (or much longer), runs through coastal rainforests; and passes by numerous waterfalls, lookout points, picturesque ocean views, and many other must-see stops along the way! To visit Hāna, you can book a tour or rent your own vehicle, as we did.

Car rental agencies in Maui are limited, so it may be best for you to book a car through Turo. If you’ve never heard of Turo, it is a carsharing company that allows travelers to conveniently rent a car directly from local hosts. It is easy, and hosts will generally drop-off the vehicle at your agreed-upon location. Ensure that you read the fine print and all the guidelines BEFORE booking, as some hosts do not allow pets, provide car seats, and/or permit smoking in the vehicles. You may also be required to refuel the car before returning, deliver the car to same location, and take photos or videos of the interior and exterior of the car, upon drop-off. For your protection and safeguard, take videos and pictures of the vehicle upon pick-up, as well.

Before you start your journey to Hāna, fill-up your gas tank and stop by any marketplace in Pā'ia to stock-up on water and snacks! If you will be the driver, do NOT drink and drive! The road may be terrifying to some, so you must exercise caution, be on alert, and mindful at all times. Some passengers may experience car motion sickness, so grab some nausea relief medication and/or sports drinks, primarily made from ginger ale or lemon-lime to alleviate the discomfort. Be advised that there are sections on the road to Hāna that run along cliffs (with no rails) or areas that are not wide enough for two cars to drive by at the same time, so the driver may have to back-up or pull to the side to allow larger vehicles to drive by. The driver will also be required to come to a full stop and orderly accommodate vehicles coming in the opposite direction, mostly when crossing over narrow one-lane bridges, so be prepared and be kind to one another! Everyone’s safety is priority!

The road to Hāna unofficially begins in Pā’ia, but the mile marker labeled “0” starts when Hāna Highway 36 turns into Highway 360. The road is mainly paved, but it can be slippery! And while the drive may sound scary and discouraging, it is divine and completely worth it!

If you are planning to arrive in Hāna on the same day, then you should get on the road as early as possible, so you can make several stops along the way without feeling rushed, but mainly to avoid driving in the dark!

If you’re not sure on where to stop, what to see, where to go, and don’t want to miss some of the attractions, then I recommend that you download the GyPSy guide app. I believe it’s $10, which is much cheaper than booking a tour, and it will play at all times (even when cell phone reception is sketchy), since it runs off satellite signal, so you can stop as often, as fast or slow as you’d like, without waiting on other travelers. The app will provide audio commentary, guide you throughout the entire journey, and offer tips along the way. It was highly informative and worth the $10!

NOTE: During your drive, you will pass by several highlights and striking waterfalls, but you may not be able to stop, so have your cameras ready and just drive by slowly—and don’t worry about holding up the cars behind you, as they will most likely be doing the same thing.

Road to Hana Highlights

Ke’anae Peninsula

Ke’anae Peninsula is a viewpoint off a tiny village, just past mile marker 16. The road leading you into the peninsula is full of palm trees and black rock along the coastline. The water is bright blue, but you can’t swim in it because the currents are strong, and the shore is very rocky. It can be a quick stop for a leg stretch, bathroom break, and some cool pictures.

Pua’a Ka’a Falls

Pua’a Ka’a Falls is a nice rest stop, located at mile marker 22, right on the main road to Hāna. It is a splendid waterfall swimming hole worth a visit. Parking is limited, so you will have to park about ¼ a mile away and walk down, so be careful!! If you decide to eat a meal on-site, please bring a trash bag with you.

Hāna Farms

Right before arriving in Hāna, make a stop at the Hāna Farms roadside stand, at mile marker 31. It’s a little marketplace, where you can grab a nice meal, some coffee, locally made products, and purchase their famous banana bread.

Ohe’o Gulch AKA “Seven Sacred Pools”

The 'Ohe'o Gulch, is part of the Haleakalā National Park, near mile marker 42. The ‘pools’ are completely fenced and closed off, so you will not be able to hike down. It seems that many people have died due to strong rip currents and large waves! But there are plenty of hiking trails that will lead you to bamboo forests, cascade falls, and amazing viewpoints. If you are a Veteran, entrance to the Park is free if you present your Veterans ID card.

Wailua Falls

Wailua Falls, past marker 45, is considered Maui’s most photographed waterfall. You can take pictures from the bridge on the main road or walk down to water! There’s no hiking involved, but the walkway is extremely slippery, so wear some hiking boots or at least water shoes. You will catch many daring swimmers performing some cliff diving, but I do not recommend it. If you just wanna go for a short swim, it’s a great way to cool down before you continue your journey.

Coconut Glen’s

Coconut Glen’s, located at mile marker 27.5 is a coconut based vegan and organic ice cream shop. You can choose from many typical flavors or try one of their house creations. They change their flavors regularly, so stop by and try them all. They also offer a few other products, like coconut candy, organic nausea supplements, and postcards.

Hāna Town:

Hāna is a small town, full of islanders, visitors, and expatriate hippies. There are a few farmer markets, art galleries, souvenir shops, and bustling eateries for you to visit. Many people have come to Hāna to escape, relax, and enjoy the quietness that it offers; some fall in love, and simply never return to their native lands.

While in Hāna, you can easily visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park, famous for its black sand beach, walking trails, caves, and ancient Hawaiian ruins. Reservations are required, so book in advance. You can also hike up to Fagan’s Cross, located at top of a pastureland hill.

During our trip, we stated at the Hāna-Maui Resort. It was beautiful. The establishment was romantic, and the pool was open late.

Overall, I give Maui 5 stars!! So, head out, be greeted by a welcoming Mai Tai and a warm Aloha.