The Road to Hana is one of the most intense, scenic, and adventurous drives on Maui! From waterfalls to panoramic ocean views, the Road to Hana offers visitors a day full of non-stop fun. Though it is only about 60 miles long, it is full of hairpin turns, one lane bridges, and some ~not so well paved~ roads; therefore you need to allow an entire day to explore. Trust me, it is well worth the time. Ready to start planning your Road to Hana excursion? Join me as I help you optimize your experience on a once in a lifetime journey!

Prepare

The Road to Hana is an all day adventure, and a Maui must do, so it’s important to make sure you are adequately prepared. I recommend packing snacks/lunch, phone chargers, plenty of water, sunscreen, bug spray, towels, bathing suits, cash, and a change of clothes/shoes. Get a good nights rest as you will be waking up early to get the most out of your day.

There are several apps you can download on your phone, such as The Gypsy Guide and The Shaka Guide, that will guide you through The Road to Hana without needing cellular service. I’ll be honest, I downloaded one with the intent on using it, but never used it once because I was with someone who has done it before. I do know people who highly recommend it though, so if it’s your first time, it may be beneficial.

Plan Your Trip

There are different routes you can pick from to create your own Hana adventure. When I went, we did what is referred to as the “circle tour”, meaning we made stops from Kahului to Hana then continued to the backside of Haleakala. I would 100% recommend this as you’ll get to see two vastly different landscapes.

Other route options are:

• Classic Road to Hana: drive from Kahului to Hana, make stops along the way, and drive back; an “out and back” type of route
• Stops on the Way Back: drive to Hana and make stops on the way back to Kahului
• Reverse Road to Hana: drive up the backside of Haleakala to Hana and make stops as you drive back to Kahului
• Road to Hana with Helicopter Tour: hop in a helicopter with a Road to Hana guide and enjoy the beauty from various perspectives

Once you’ve decided which way you want to experience The Road to Hana, jump in the car and head towards Kahului on Route 36 (Hana Highway). You’ll cruise this highway through Pa’ia and past Ho’okipia. From there, you’ll reach Mile Marker Zero and continue the 35 miles to Hana. Be sure to stop in Pa’ia and fill up the car, you do not want to start this adventure with anything less than a full tank.

Drive With Aloha & Respect the Local Residents

Hana is home to many people and has several sacred sites, so it’s incredibly important to be respectful. The Road to Hana brings in a large amount of tourism, but there are people who utilize this road frequently to go in and out of surrounding towns. There’s also a lot of private properties located throughout the Road to Hana, so be observant of your surroundings.

Here are some things to keep in mind while you’re out exploring:

• Park in designated spots only and if it is too crowded, leave and come back later. You’ll see many “no parking” signs, please don’t be that person who disregards them. You’ll also avoid a hefty fine by parking legally.
• Do not trespass on private property which are clearly labeled with signs. This is someones home and/or business and it’s important to treat it as such.
• Allow locals to pass you on the road when it’s safe to pull off to the side. They know the roads better than any tourist, so they’re able to drive faster.
• Be kind to the local volunteers that help manage the crowds.

Care for the Land

Hawaiians have many values, one being that if you care for the land, it will care for you. There are many ways we can show respect to the thing that gives us life, be it in Hawaii or elsewhere. Be sure to throw away your trash, pick up trash found on the ground, respect the wildlife + plants, and do not take resources from the land. Do not stack or take rocks, as it is believed that it will disrupt the natural beauty and ecology of the island–and you may or may not become cursed. Seriously. Haleakala National Park receives hundreds of rocks sent back to them from people who believe they are cursed for taking them. So, just be a good human and leave them where ya found them!

The Adventure

Okay, now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time for some fun! The best piece of advice I can give you about the Road to Hana is to take it easy. As cliche as it sounds, it truly is about the journey not the destination. There’s so many things that you can do, however it would take multiple days. So try to plan to stop at 4-5 places and have a backup plan for if a parking lot is full. Don’t get overwhelmed with the need to “see it all”, the ride itself is just as beautiful as any of the stops.

Some of my must see spots are:

• Waimoku Falls: located in Haleakala National Park (about 10 miles south of Hana), Waimoku Falls is a 400 foot waterfall at the end of the Pipiwai Trail. A 4 mile, out & back trail that consists of a beautiful bamboo forrest, several waterfalls, and a gorgeous banyan tree. Be sure to wear your hiking shoes, bring snacks, and plenty of water.

• Kahanu Gardens: located at mile marker 31 and one of the less visited stops, Kahanu Gardens is a botanical garden that also shares the history of the area and it’s settlers. There is a $12 entry fee for a self guided tour or $30 for a guided tour.
• Hana Lava Tube: also located at mile marker 31, this stop gives you an opportunity to walk through lava tubes which is a very unique experience. This also requires a $12 entry fee, but is one of the coolest things I’ve done.

More popular points of interest are:

• Twin Falls: located at mile marker 2 and the first easily accessible waterfall on Hana Highway, Twin Falls is one of the most popular to visit. Bring a towel + swimming gear, and be prepared for crowds if you stop here.
• Upper Waikani Falls: also known as “Three Bears”, this spot is located at mile marker 19 and features three side by side 70 foot waterfalls.
• Black Sand Beach: located in Wai’anapanapa State Park, Honokalani, the black sand beach, is one of Maui’s most famous beaches. Though I have never been, I was able get a panoramic view of it while driving the Road to Hana and it was gorgeous. Entrance to the park does require reservations and can be made 30 days in advanced here.

There are many more stops that can be made on the Road to Hana, and no matter where you decide to stop, you are in for one of the best adventures. There’s nothing quite like driving through a tropical rainforest with gorgeous views every where you look. It truly is one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for fruit stands + food trucks to stop and support locals + eat some fresh, delicious food!

The Road to Hana is just one of the amazing things you can do in Maui, for more information on things to do, check out my 7 Day Maui Itinerary!

Note: most rental car companies have restrictions when it comes to driving the back side of Haleakala due to unpaved roads, dirt paths, etc. so be aware + careful if you decide to take this route. We went this way and it is worth it, just be sure to drive slowly and be aware of your surroundings.

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