Road to Hāna: Leave the Driving to the Professionals

Take the Tour

I enjoyed Hāna and Beyond's full-day tour. It includes a coffee and breakfast stop at the start, followed by stops at Hoʻokipa Beach Park, the rainbow bark eucalyptus trees (which you may inadvertently pass if you were not on a tour), Kaumahina Lookout, Keʻanae Peninsula, either Aunty Sandy's or Halfway to Hana for banana bread, Puaʻa Kaʻa State Park for waterfall swimming, Waiʻānapanapa black sand beach for swimming and Hāna town. You'll pass several waterfalls on the way — visible from the road. The driver will slow down and let you know when one is coming up so you can take photos.

Hāna and Beyond will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, pack you a lunch and time everything perfectly so you are never on the road too long without a restroom break. The local company is owned by a Native Hawaiian family from Hāna, so drivers are very knowledgeable about the area and can answer any questions you may have. They take care of parking and entrance fees and make all necessary reservations ahead of time (for example, Waiʻānapanapa State Park), so you don't have to think about logistics in advance. It's not a mega tour bus experience — groups max out around 10 people. You'll be riding in an air-conditioned van with a driver who learns everyone's name and, in addition to sharing knowledge and keeping things entertaining, checks in regularly to make sure everyone is comfortable.

Hāna and Beyond will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel, pack you a lunch and time everything perfectly so you are never on the road too long without a restroom break.

Before You Go

• Gas up. There are no gas stations along the road to Hāna.
• Map it out. Sketch out where you'll be going on paper. You won't be able to use GPS for most of the drive.
• Bring cash. Some vendors have credit card machines, but some don't.
• Pack a cooler of water, sandwiches and a few snacks that are easy to eat in the car or at the beach.
• Start early. There is a lot to see and you will be stopping often. Plan on being gone all day, from about 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. — this is how long a full-day tour takes.

Best Stops

Hoʻokipa Beach Park (Turtle Beach)

Known by locals as one of the best surf breaks on the island, this beach also provides a nesting area for Hawaiian sea turtles. The turtle area of the beach is roped off to protect them, but you can view them from the picnic and restroom area just off the parking lot.

Local tip: This is the last stop before you lose cell service on the road to Hāna.

Just past Pāʻia town in Haiku

Restrooms, shower, lifeguard and picnic tables available

Open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Free

Twin Falls

Located at Wailele Farm, Hoʻolawa — meaning "to provide or share in abundance" — and popularly known as Twin Falls, has easily accessible freshwater swimming holes, hiking trails and a farm stand with cold beverages, fresh fruit and snacks. The area gets abundant rainfall and trails are sometimes closed due to flash floods.

Local tip: Street parking and arrival or departure via rideshare are prohibited. Arrive before 8 a.m. to get a parking spot in the lot. You may not wait on the street in your vehicle for a space to open.

Mile Marker 2

No restrooms

Open daily 7:10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no entrance after 4:30 p.m.; closed the first Saturday of every month to out-of-state visitors)

$10 per vehicle

Garden of Eden Arboretum

A 26-acre organic botanical garden with roaming peacocks and ducks, 2.5 miles of walking trails, a viewpoint of Puohokamoa Falls and more than 700 species of tropical plants. This was the location of the opening scene of "Jurassic Park."

Local tip: Garden of Eden also has a gift shop packed with crafts and artisanal products made by Maui businesses.

Mile Marker 10.5

Restrooms available

Open daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., including holidays

$20 adults, $10 children ages 5-10, free for children under 5

Kaumahina State Wayside Park

Kaumahina translates to "rising moon." It is a 7.8-acre forested hilltop park with a picnic area, hiking trail and lookout of the verdant coastline and Keʻanae Peninsula below. During winter and early spring, you may see whales offshore.

Local tip: This is one of the few stops with reliable parking for large vehicles. However, this park is sometimes closed — use restrooms at a prior stop, just in case.

Mile Marker 12.2

Restrooms available

Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Free

Keʻanae Park & Peninsula (Lava Rock Beach and Bird Island)

After you turn off the highway, drive down to the shore. This is one of the most dramatic coastlines on the island, with jet-black lava rocks jutting out into the ocean, causing waves to spray in every direction. Seabirds perch on the small rocky islet just offshore (Bird Island). The peninsula is lined with loʻi kalo made with soil carried down from the mountains. The village's stone church was built in 1857. It is the only structure that survived the devastating 1946 tsunami.

Local tip: Do not swim here. The surly surf and jagged lava rocks make it extremely dangerous.

Mile Marker 16.8

Restrooms available

Open daily 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Free

Halfway to Hana (Snack Shop)

Local tip: Many visitors wait in line at Aunty Sandy's for her famous banana bread. If you see a long line, keep driving. Just over a mile further is Halfway to Hana — a snack shop owned by Aunty Sandy's sister that locals say makes the same banana bread recipe without the line. The banana bread ($10) is served warm from the oven and can even be topped with shave ice and ice cream.

Mile Marker 17

No Restrooms

Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Wailua Valley State Wayside

This lookout offers an incredible view of the ocean on one side and Wailua Valley and Village — with its loʻi kalo (taro patches) — on the other. On a clear day, look toward the mountain for the Koʻolau Gap, a dramatic break in the rim of Haleakalā crater.

Local tip: The brown state park sign appears at the last moment, so keep an eye out or you'll drive right past.

Mile Marker 19

No Restrooms

Open daily during daylight hours

Free

Puaʻa Kaʻa State Wayside Park

At about 1,200 feet in elevation, this waterfall park sits in the misty clouds. There are two waterfalls with pools. The upper pool is where daring cliff jumpers leap into the frigid water below (not recommended — and if you do attempt it, do not jump headfirst). The lower pool is smaller, less crowded and has a rocky area to sit and watch visitors hop in and out for photos in front of the waterfall.

Mile Marker 22.5

Restrooms available

Open daily 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Free

Waiʻānapanapa State Park (advance reservation required)

This is the headliner of the road to Hāna experience, requiring reservations up to a month in advance. To bypass the headache of securing a reservation, take a tour instead. Here, you can picnic, swim at a black sand beach and hike. The water can be rough near shore with strong currents — only strong swimmers should enter. If you stay to the right and swim just past the breakers, you can find a patch of calmer water to float in.

Local tip: Although the main attraction is the black sand beach, take time to walk around the property. There are blowholes, lava caves and various viewpoints scattered throughout worth exploring. Stay behind all barriers and don't trespass onto private property. There is a home next to the parking lot with a backyard that could be confused for part of the park. Stick to designated walking paths and you'll be fine.

Mile Marker 32

Restrooms, shower, picnic tables, water fountain and camping available, ADA accessible

Open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$5 per person plus $10 per vehicle for parking (non-residents); free for Hawaiʻi residents with valid state ID or driver's license

Time slots: 7 to 10 a.m., 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 12:30 to 3 p.m. or 3 to 6 p.m. Reservations: gostateparks.hawaii.gov/waianapanapa

Hāna Town

Unless you stay for a meal at Hāna Restaurant, the town will take about 20 minutes to explore. There are a handful of shops for gifts and souvenirs and a post office where you can mail a postcard. There is also a grocery store and Bank of Hawaiʻi ATM machine.

Mile Marker 34

No public restrooms available

• I Love Hana Art Boutique: Jewelry, gifts, apparel.
• Ka Uakea Legacy Gift Shop: Crack seed ( favorite local dried fruit candy), souvenirs.
• Laura Mango Art Gallery: Painting by local artist.
• Ti & Coco: Eco-friendly lifestyle shop with beach pareos, gifts and apparel.

Wailua Falls

Well past Hāna town, you'll find an 80-foot waterfall plunging into a pool surrounded by lush rainforest. The hike down to the pool is slippery. For a safer look, you can admire Wailua Falls from the road. Local vendors in the parking area sell snacks and souvenirs. Since it's past Hāna, there are fewer crowds and cars on the road, making it a more peaceful drive.

Local tip: If you're viewing from the bridge, use caution and watch for cars coming around the corner.

Mile Marker 45

No Restrooms

Open daily, 24 hours a day

Free

Where to Eat

There are roadside stands scattered along the road to Hāna and a couple of restaurants in Hāna town. Here are a few worth stopping for.

Aunty Sandy's: Famous road to Hāna stop for banana bread. 210 Keanae Road, Haiku. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Halfway to Hana: Snack shop serving banana bread, burgers, shave ice, ice cream, sandwiches and more. 13-710 Hana Highway, Haiku. Open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hana Fresh Farmstand: Fresh local produce, smoothies, sandwiches and more. Located at Hāna Health, 4590 Hāna Highway between mile markers 34 and 35 (walking distance from Hana Maui Resort). Open Tuesday and Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hana Ranch Restaurant: Main restaurant in town, using local ingredients. Burgers, salads, sandwiches and appetizers. Full bar. 1752 Mill Pl. Hāna. Daily happy hour 2 to 4 p.m.

Hana Ranch Store: Grocery store in Hāna town. Fresh produce, alcoholic beverages, Hāna Ice Cream Co., basic groceries. 1752 Mill Place, Hāna. Open daily 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cocoa Bananas Farm: Coffee, smoothies, kava and lunch items. 1575 Hana Highway, Hāna. Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hana Gold Chocolate: Bean-to-bar chocolate grown and produced in Hāna. 2990 Hana Highway, Hāna. Open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hana Pizza Co.: Brick-oven pizza, outdoor seating. 2910 Hana Highway, Hāna. Open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to close.

Koko Huli Huli Chicken: Roadside stand serving huli huli chicken (chicken cooked rotisserie-style over an open flame), BBQ pork, ribs and sides. Cash only. 175 Haneoo Rd, Hāna.Open daily 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hasegawa General Store: Souvenirs and groceries.5165 Hana Hwy, Hāna. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where to Stay

If you are doing the drive to Hāna yourself, I recommend staying the night at one of the accommodations in town to break up the trip and give yourself more time to relax in Hāna town. Options are limited, but here are a few good ones.

Hana Kai Maui Resort

This cozy hotel is located on Waikaloa Beach and offers 17 furnished vacation condominiums overlooking Hāna Bay — all with ocean views. Choose from studio, one-bedroom and deluxe condominiums.

From $400/night

4865 Uakea Rd., Hāna

(808) 248-8426

BOOK NOW

Ala Kukui

For something more connected to the Hawaiian cultural roots of Hāna, book a retreat here. Ala Kukui, or “the path to enlightenment,” is a non-profit existing to serve the community of Hāna. This gives guests a rare opportunity to connect with and learn from local kumu (teachers) during their stay. Choose the retreat house, which fits up to 14 people, cabin or studio apartment.

4224 Hāna Hwy, Hāna

808.248.7841

For rates and booking visit alakukui.org/booking-request

Hana-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt Residence

Located on the road to Hāna just before you get to town is Hāna’s only resort. Choose from luxury rooms, suites, private residences with kitchens or oceanfront bungalows. Amenities include pool, spa, fitness center and onsite car rental.

From $500/night

5031 Hana Hwy, Hāna

BOOK NOW

The Road Back

For most people, Hāna town is the end of the road, but if you want one more waterfall, continue to Wailua Falls at mile marker 45. About 12 miles past Hāna is also Kīpahulu, home to the Pīpīwai Trail and 400-foot Waimoku Falls. From there, the Piilani Highway (Highway 31) will connect you to Maui's south shore. This unpaved back road is more treacherous to traverse, especially during a storm. It's prone to flash flooding, rock slides and muddy conditions. There is no cell phone service and the nearest hospital is over an hour away. Most rental car agencies prohibit driving the Piilani Highway.

Practical Tips

Parking: Follow all posted signage and park in sanctioned areas only.

Rental car policies on unpaved roads: Most rental car agencies — Enterprise, Hertz, Avis, etc. — do not allow drivers to take rental cars on unpaved roads. Doing so may result in additional fees and loss of rental privileges. Do not rely on personal insurance to cover damage from driving on unpaved roads.

Cell service gaps: After you pass Hoʻokipa Beach, you will lose cell service for the rest of the trip — no music streaming, no GPS, no internet. Turn your phone to airplane mode to conserve battery. Bring a portable charger, too. Most phones, even in airplane mode, will be dead near the end of the trip, and you'll want it for photos, videos and navigation when you get back into service areas.

What to pack: Wear a bathing suit and bring a change of clothes, beach towel, sunscreen, water, snacks, Dramamine (if you get carsick), insect repellent (if you are hiking), hat and sunglasses. If you are riding in a tour van and get chilly in air conditioning, bring a light jacket.

Sunrise vs. midday timing: Start as early as possible — at least 6 a.m. The trip, with stops, takes several hours. Roadside vendors begin to close and traffic picks up in the late afternoon. There are also occasional stops where road crews are maintaining the highway or securing nets against the mountainside to prevent rock slides.

Safety Precautions and Road Etiquette

If you still arenʻt convinced that a tour is the way to go and you want to drive the road to Hāna yourself, please follow the following advice.

• Drive slowly and carefully.
• Use pull outs to let faster drivers pass.
• Look ahead for one-lane bridges and tight areas, yield to oncoming traffic.
• Don’t stop on bridges, or park anywhere with “no parking” signs.
• Weather can impact road conditions, including flash flood, mudslides and high surf. Connect to county alert notifications for updates.
• Do not explore any areas without visitor welcome signage — this is likely private property.
• Observe waterfalls along the road from your car while driving. Only pull over if there is a pull-out area where it is safe to do so.
• Follow all signs.

Road to Hāna — FAQ