What to know earlier than embarking on Hawaii’s Road to Hana

I used to be 4 years previous the primary time my dad and mom packed my one-year-old brother and me into the again of—what my dad maintains was a purple, and my mother maintains was a white—Mustang convertible and set off on a household highway journey alongside Maui’s iconic Road to Hāna. Threading its manner by lush rainforest canopies, previous numerous waterfalls, and over 50 one-lane bridges and 620 hairpin curves, this serpentine freeway turns 100 this yr.

As Maui rebuilds within the wake of the Lahaina fires and grapples with overtourism, the Road to Hāna is coming into a pivotal chapter that raises essential questions not solely about how vacationers expertise this outstanding vacation spot, however how they will help defend it.

(Maui is looking guests again in 2026. Here’s how you can go to responsibly.)

The most legendary freeway on Earth

Long earlier than it turned synonymous as one of many world’s most iconic highway journeys, the Road to Hāna served as a lifeline for communities alongside Maui’s distant jap shoreline. For centuries, Hawaiians traveled the area on footpaths that wound by rainforest and alongside sea cliffs, a part of an historic path community connecting fishing villages. In the sixteenth century, Maui’s ruling sovereign, Piʻilani, started setting up a lava-stone path referred to as the Ala-loa, or “long road,” to hyperlink communities throughout East Maui, which his son later prolonged into the Hāna district.

The route started to take form within the late nineteenth century, when plantation agriculture expanded, and irrigation initiatives diverted East Maui’s ample rainfall to sugar fields in central Maui. Officials carved a wagon highway by the rugged panorama, constructing bridges throughout deep gulches and waterfalls in an enormous engineering effort. The freeway formally opened to automobiles in 1926, following years of labor-intensive development largely carried out by jail laborers, Hawaiians, and immigrant staff.

The Road to Hāna—which in Hawaiian interprets to ‘rainy land, low-lying sky,’—was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and continues to be considered one of Maui’s hottest pastimes.

Essential stops on the Road to Hāna

Pa’ai: The Road to Hāna begins in earnest within the city of Pa’ia. Located on Maui’s North Shore, Pa’ia is an enthralling city with glorious eating places and boutiques, and can be a great place to refill on fuel earlier than you head out. Mana Foods is a grocery retailer, deli, and bakery that opens day by day at 8 a.m. If you’re planning on hitting the highway early, replenish on snacks the night time earlier than at Foodland, which is among the finest regionally owned grocery retailer chains on the island. Pro Tip: Walk round and revel in dinner in Paia in your drive again.

Ho’okipa Beach Lookout: Ho’okipa Beach is a superb place to cease and watch the surfers, and it is lower than 10 minutes, or simply over two miles, from downtown Pa’ai. If you’re fortunate, Hawaiian inexperienced sea turtles prefer to nest alongside the shoreline right here. It’s free to enter, and there’s often loads of parking within the higher and decrease parking tons. Lock your automobile and maintain your belongings at each cease alongside the Hāna Highway.

Twin Falls: At Mile Marker 2, Twin Falls is the primary (and one of the widespread) stops to go for a swim. The identify is a little bit of a misnomer, as there are literally three waterfalls you possibly can hike to right here, every of which is taken into account a simple to average hike. If you’re pressed for time, the decrease waterfall is a good looking spot to swim; in any other case it’s a few 25-minute stroll every option to the higher falls. If the lot is full, which tends to occur within the afternoon, plan on stopping right here in your drive again.  There’s a $10 parking payment, and the bogs are primary, so plan accordingly, particularly in the event you plan to swim—bear in mind your water footwear.

Ke’anea Peninsula: It’s a few 15-minute detour to Ke’anea Peninsula, however the detour is value it for the views alongside the rocky shoreline. If you get there early sufficient, Aunty Sandy’s is a well-liked spot to select up some banana bread. Pro tip: Aunty’s banana bread sells out rapidly, so in the event you don’t get it right here, don’t fret. Halfway To Hāna Stand presents their model of “world famous banana bread,” and is a superb place to cease, stretch, and snap am compulsory midway level pic.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park: A go to to the black sand seashores at Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a should, particularly for first time guests. There’s a coastal path that winds its manner by volcanic rock, previous sea arches, blowholes, and tide swimming pools earlier than opening onto considered one of Maui’s most putting black sand seashores. It’s essential to notice that the park operates on a timed-entry system and is simply accessible by making a reservation in advance, so make sure to plan accordingly. If you propose on climbing, you’ll desire a pair of closed-toed footwear.

Nahiku Marketplace: If you’ve made it to Nahiku Marketplace, which means you’re virtually to Hana Town. This is a superb spot to strive genuine huli huli rooster paired with an Aloha Made pineapple soda and decide up some native souvenirs. 

Pīpīwai path & Seven Sacred Pools: At ʻOheʻo Gulch, additionally known as the Seven Sacred Pools, vacationers will discover considered one of East Maui’s most stunning hikes on the Pīpīwai Trail, a lush four-mile put-and-back hike that winds by towering bamboo forests and previous cascading waterfalls to Waimoku Falls. Pro tip: If you’re staying in Hana, arrive early within the morning to keep away from the crowds, and test situations earlier than swimming as flash flooding can happen within the swimming pools after heavy rain upstream.

(How can vacationers assist Maui recuperate? Here’s what locals say.)

Welcome to Hāna Town

Hāna is a far cry from the buzzy resort cities on the opposite facet of Maui. On your manner into city, cease at Hāna Farms Roadside Stand for oven-baked pizza (gluten-free can be obtainable) and a present store with all the things from regionally made pikake oil to paintings and handcrafts. 

Hāna-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt lodge, is a household pleasant property that gives ocean-facing bungalows, a swoon-worthy pool, a three-hole golf course, and a beautiful on-site restaurant. For breakfast, don’t miss the loco moco, a hearty Hawaiian consolation dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and slathered in gravy.

There are a handful of fantastic native meals vehicles within the coronary heart of Hāna, in addition to Thai-fusion at Ae’s Thai Kitchen, contemporary juice, smoothies, and acai bowls at Hāna Juice Box, and freshly brewed espresso at Da Mean Bean. Hasegawa General Store is a superb spot to select up primary requirements, and Ti &Coco and I Love Hana Art are each great, eco-friendly boutiques.  

What to know earlier than you hit the highway

Like any highway journey, slightly preparation goes a great distance. If you’re planning on doing the drive in at some point, you’ll wish to begin on the early facet to maximise daylight and beat the crowds. Staying in Hana Town will provide you with a bit extra flexibility and time to linger at stops alongside the way in which. 

If you’re doing a self-driving tour, obtain ShakaGuide’s Classic Road to Hāna audio tour to provide the historical past and context of the locations to cease alongside the way in which. Be positive to check the road conditions to keep away from closures and detours which may delay your journey. Otherwise, contemplate reserving with a neighborhood tour firm like Maui By Storm.

Do: Pack a cooler with snacks, water, and no matter else you suppose you’ll need or want. If you are likely to get automobile sick, plan to take anti-nausea remedy earlier than you go, and hold loads of ginger chews readily available. Don’t: Have an enormous breakfast earlier than you go. There are loads of locations to cease for meals, drinks, and snacks alongside the way in which.

Do: Bring loads of money for roadside farm stands, meals vehicles, coconuts, and different native knick-knacks you would possibly wish to decide up alongside the way in which. Don’t: Rely solely on utilizing your bank card. 

Do: If you’re planning on renting a Jeep or convertible for the drive, it’s higher to order as far prematurely as attainable, as premium automobiles are likely to go quicker than common automobiles and SUVs. Don’t: Leave the rental automobile facility with out ensuring your cellphone can connect with Bluetooth. Wi-Fi alongside the Hāna Highway will be spotty to nonexistent, so be sure to pre-program any maps and have your music and podcasts downloaded earlier than you go.

(Hawaii’s Lei Day is about a lot greater than flowers)