You know how they say that “it’s the journey, not the destination.” Drive the Hāna Highway, and you might just become a believer.
When you come to visit Maui, we invite you to have the journey of lifetime and travel the Hana Highway. Starting at the Kahului Airport, the Hana Highway stretches 64.4 miles through pristine tropical rainforest. The road turns and winds, crossing around 59 bridges and passing a variety of natural parks and waterfalls. While the trip can take as little as 2.5 hours, we encourage you to stop at safe spots along the way and explore some of the amazing vistas hiding in plain sight. Check out our Road to Hana Checklist.
Untouched Beauty
Maui residents are extremely protective of Hana and take great pride in the area’s natural and untouched beauty. While much of the island is well-paved and commercialized, the road to Hana will make you feel like you are driving back in time. That said, it’s crucial to not trespass or create new trails. Stay on paths, park in legal parking spots, and allow locals to pass. Some tourists have soured local sentiment towards visitors on this road, so be respectful, buy the banana bread, and stay safe!
Attractions
The Road to Hana is famed for its lush landscapes and diverse attractions, from enchanting waterfalls to panoramic coastal views. With planning, you can explore at least a few of these unique stops.
- Twin Falls: An early stop featuring short trails and refreshing pools that are often ideal for a quick dip.
- Garden of Eden: A lush arboretum with botanical gardens, sweeping vistas, and rare tropical plants.
- Lower and Upper Puohokamoa Falls: Two scenic waterfalls—one easily visible from the road, the other accessible via a short walk.
- Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park: Offers picnic areas and a series of small waterfalls; a convenient place to stretch and enjoy the surroundings.
- Pools of ‘Ohe‘o: Also known as ‘Ohe‘o Gulch, this collection of cascading waterfalls lies near the end of the highway, past Hana.
- Waikani Falls (“Three Bears”): Nicknamed for its trio of closely spaced cascades, often seen at full flow after rainfall. No parking, so just slow down if no one is behind you.
- Wailua Falls: A dramatic 80-foot waterfall right by the road, making for a great photo opportunity. Crafts are often sold in the parking lot.
- Ke‘anae Peninsula: A rugged coastline known for its taro fields, historical church, and crashing surf. Excellent banana bread.
- Wai‘anapanapa State Park: Famous for its black-sand beach, sea caves, and coastal hiking trails. Requires advanced reservation.
- Hamoa Beach: A crescent-shaped bay with soft sand and surf, perfect for a relaxing stop.
Some waterfalls are located on private property, so be sure to watch for signs and remain courteous. There is plenty to see without trespassing.
The Journey
The Hana Highway is its own adventure. Take your time on this fun and winding road and enjoy each of the 620 curves that you will confront. A majority of the 59 bridges that you will cross are only one lane, so be patient and safe.
Many tourists want to pack as much sightseeing on the road to Hana as possible and end up feeling pressure to check everything off the checklist in the guidebook. Pace yourself. Pick a few attractions to visit and get on island time!
Guided Excursion and Rental Cars
Several companies around South Maui offer a guided tour of Hana Highway. For a reasonable fee, you can travel down the highway in an air conditioned van while a guide tells you about all the history surrounding throughout each region. You’ll learn about historic battles, ancient gods, and many other great legends that make up Hawaii’s unique story. If you want to go your own pace, you can also rent a car or a rugged jeep.
At Ali’i Resorts, we can help you plan your trip down the Hana Highway, set up a guided tour, or refer you to a car rental agency. Contact us today to add the road to Hana to your Maui agenda.
