By Alex Higgins
The Road to Hana is famous for the natural beauty of its towering waterfalls and unblemished landscapes. Few drives are more beautiful than this curvy road along the coast, with views of cliffs, beaches, waterfalls and miles upon miles of rainforest. This is THAT trip that’s all about the journey and not the destination. Thankfully, the wildfires that devastated some of Maui in 2023 did not reach the Road to Hana. The drive is open and, like much of the rest of the island, is welcoming vacationers. In fact, respectful visitation is encouraged as a way to help Maui rebuild what was lost.
The Road to Hana is more than just a great drive through a beautiful Hawaiian island. Visitors tend to zip along the road with a list of places to stop for pictures. That’s not the best way to do it! With a little planning ahead of time, you can make the most of your time exploring the area, and the history and legends that surround it.
First tip—the drive between Kahului and Hana is only 52 miles (about 2 hours driving time, year-round), but plan to spend at least a day or two making the trip. You’ll encounter 620 curves and 59 bridges along the way, so it’s safer to take your time and savor each bend and crossing.
The Road to Hana shows off the lush coast.
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Begin your drive in Kahului, not a prime tourist destination, but the site of the island’s main airport. One of its main attractions is the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the sugar industry on Maui. Visitors can get an up-close look at the intriguing equipment used by sugar cane plantations, such as an outdoor Portuguese oven built in the 1920s and an impressive working scale model of cane-crushing machinery.
A view from the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Just a bit past mile marker 10 spreads the Garden of Eden Arboretum & Botanical Garden, a lush 25-acre park you might recognize from the opening scene in the film Jurassic Park. The grounds are immaculately maintained, with great ocean views, a visitor center and all sorts of photo opportunities. Don’t miss the 100-year-old mango tree and the Keopuka Rock overlook, as seen in the Jurassic Park opening. Stop roughly 20 miles later in Paia to slurp on a shave ice and wander the artsy town.
Overlook of Pacific Ocean at Keopuka Rock
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A bit beyond mile marker 17, look for the signs for the Halfway to Hana stand, a roadside institution since 1982. Even with so many excellent banana bread recipes to choose from on Maui, the one sold here is a favorite, perhaps because it is made from the owners’ locally grown bananas. Grab a loaf of this local specialty for the road. Make sure you place a pin on the map of visitors from around the world, so your state is represented!
Hikers on a trail in Waianapanapa State Park
At mile marker 32, pull into 122-acre Waianapanapa State Park, where a scenic black sand beach, sea caves and rock arches await. Be advised of the treacherous currents—swimming is not recommended. Instead, hike along the shoreline trail to a sea cave where the water occasionally turns red due to an incredible population of tiny shrimp.
Near mile marker 42 sits Oheo Gulch, a notch in the island featuring a score of pools and waterfalls on the east side of Haleakala National Park, home to the highest peak on Maui. About 3 more miles down the road plunges one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the Hawaiian islands—Wailua Falls, cascading down 80 feet of rocks through luxuriant vegetation.
Once in Hana, take a moment to reflect on your drive. It’s fascinating to think that the original Hana Highway was completed in 1926 and was a one-lane gravel road. Today, it is a path of culture and scenic beauty that leads to a charming town, seemingly unchanged when compared to the rest of Hawaii today. Stay overnight to appreciate Hana’s attractions and vibe before retracing the drive and doubling your Hawaiian pleasure on the return.
10 Things to Keep in Mind While Driving the Road to Hana
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