The Road to Hana is an excellent adventure in itself. It’s beautiful views of the ocean, landscapes and waterfalls make it worth the trip. Taking a tour bus with a guide can make sure that you don’t miss any of the great sites as you travel. There are also audio tours that you can purchase.
Make sure to drive safe and slowly. The road itself is a small curvy road. Watch for yield signs and be friendly to other drivers. Also, make sure to obey all the parking rules. If there are no parks at the stop you are at, continue to the next stop. Don’t illegally park or block the road for others.
Road to Hana Tour
- Full-day trip along one of Hawaii’s most-scenic roadways
- Enjoy a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city
- Bottled water, snacks, and picnic lunch provided
- Round-trip transport from Maui hotels or the port included
Shaka Guide –
Audio Driving Tour
This is my personal favorite way to drive in Hawaii. Shaka guide will tell you about all the best stops as you drive down the Road to Hana.
Paia Town
Paia is the first small town along the Road to Hana. Great spot to grab some grinds before you head down the road. Mama’s Fish House is a great place for dinner but you need to get your reservations very early.
Ho’okipa lookout
Great place to stop and watch the surfing. Or, if you are an experienced surfer, bring your surf board. The large waves can make it very dangerous for inexperienced surfers.
Twin Falls
This is the first water fall stop of many along the Road to Hana, which makes it very busy. You can stop for a quick hike or you can skip it and move on to the next falls which might not be as busy.
Waikamoi Ridge Trail
There are actually a few trails here that form a small loop as well as several picnic areas and lookout points. This Nā Ala Hele trail is a great way to spend an hour for a short workout in a beautiful old-growth forest or a great spot for a picnic stop along the Highway. The Waikamoi Ridge Trail is on the eastern edge of the Waikamoi Preserve, which protects some of the oldest trees on Maui.
Garden of Eden Arboretum
Twenty-six acres of trails alive with brilliant colors, unique flowers, rare trees, and the sweet aroma of tropical blossoms in a uniquely natural island setting.
Look upon the opening sequence of the film, Jurassic Park and explore over 26 acres of Maui’s finest nature trails. There are picnic areas and one of the most colorful and extensive collections of Ti plants on the island.
Kaumahina State Wayside Park
This State Park is a forested rest stop with exotic plants. Picnicking and scenic viewpoint of northeast Maui coastline. No drinking water. (7.8 acres)
Hanomanu Bay
This rocky black-sand beach draws expert surfers and offers a freshwater pool for kid-friendly splashing, but its chief virtue for the average Hana Highway tourist is the off-the-beaten-path beauty.
Ke’anae Arboretum
This is a great, free arboretum with around 150 specimens growing along the Pi’ina’au Stream. The Rainbow Eucalyptus trees are an amazing site.
Ke’anae Peninsula
Ke’anae is a traditional Hawaiian village that gives you that “old Hawaii” feel and is known for its taro fields and a church that was built in 1856. The gorgeous shoreline of Ke’anae makes for picture perfect shots as the waves crash against lava rocks. However, swimming is entirely off limits due to its dangerous and rocky shoreline.
Half-way to Hana Roadside Stop
Hungry? This little stop has sandwiches, hotdogs and other grinds to stop that stomach from growling. They also have refreshing drinks and frozen treats.
Wailua Overlook
Located just past mile marker #19 on the right-hand side of the road. There are stairs on the right, leading to a vantage point that provides views of Wailua Valley & Keanae Peninsula.
Upper Waikani Falls
Also known as 3-bears falls.
If you’d like more than a drive-by view, you should drive past the falls – there is a small parking area. Then you’ll walk back about 1/10th of a mile to the falls.
Pua’a Kaa Park
Rest stop and picnicking in the rain forest. An idyllic area with small scenic waterfalls and pools. (5.0 acres)
Hanawi Falls
Located right after mile marker 24 on the famed Hana Highway, this epic wonder functions as a reminder of Earth’s immense, nearly incomprehensible splendor.
Nahiku Marketplace
If you get this far, you might be pretty hungry. Stop here for food and shop either on the way to Hana or on the way back.
Hana Lava Tube
This is an incredible family adventure. It is safe, fun and free of mosquitoes and bats. You will marvel at the underground lavascape, as your mind expands and your world becomes more wondrous.
Kahanu Garden
Plant collections from the Pacific Islands are the focus here, particularly plants of value to the Hawaiian people as well as other cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. Book a tour.
Wai’anapanapa State Park
This is one of the gems of the Road to Hana. Home of Maui’s famous black sand beach. You must get advanced reservations to visit this 120-acre park.
Hana Town
Hana Town is a rural agricultural town that is rich in Hawaiian history, in both ancient and modern times and is made up of Hawaiian residents who have lived off the land for centuries. Organic farms, pristine beaches and rainforest covered mountain slopes and waterfalls make this area unique to the entire island chain.
Hamoa Beach
Hamoa Beach is also a popular surf break – in fact this break has been surfed by Hawaiians since ancient times. Boogie boarding and bodysurfing are also popular here.
Koki Beach
Koki Beach is just beyond the central part of the town of Hana. Because it’s past Hana Town, it’s not as busy making it a hidden gem and a great beach to visit. Alau Island is located several hundred yards off the coast.
Wailua Falls
Wailua Falls is an 80 ft cascading waterfall located right on Hana Highway and is easily accessible from the road side. Its magnificent beauty makes it one of the most widely photographed waterfalls on Maui.
