Road to Hana
Tourists from all over the world flock to Maui each year to drive the famed Road to Hana, 53 miles from the airport at Kahului, the Road to Hana features more than 600 curves and 54 bridges across some of the most beautiful tropical rainforests in the world. Filled with beautiful overlooks, spectacular waterfalls, isolated state parks, and botanical gardens, the journey can be as quick or as long as the driver wishes. CDs with suggested stopping spots can be purchased from merchants throughout Maui and there are guided tours available. Driving tours can also be downloaded off the Internet from various sites.
While worthwhile stopping points on the Road to Hana can be too numerous to mention here, there are a few can't miss spots. Note that shortly after mile marker 16, the marker numbers reset to zero.
Painted Bark Eucalyptus Trees
About .7 miles past mile marker 6. These trees appear to have been painted with pastel colors in exquisite beauty.
Garden of Eden Arboretum and Botanical Garden
Just past mile marker 10. This 26 acre park was the location for the opening scenes of Jurassic Park and features more than 500 plants and trees native to the Pacific Islands. Hiking trails are found throughout the area.
Puohokamoa Stream
At mile marker 11. This area is one of the first single lane bridges and features a spectacular waterfall.
Kaumahina State Wayside Park
Just past mile marker 12. This 7.5 acre park is a rest stop within the forest and a wonderful outlook of the Northern Maui coastline and Keanae Peninsula.
Honomanu Bay
Access road is .1 mile past mile marker 14. One of Hawaii's majestic and awesome black sand beaches.
Keanae Arboretum
About .8 mile past mile marker 16. Halfway to Hana. The Arboretum features about 150 varieties of tropical plants, picnic areas and hiking trails.
Keanae Village
Just before mile marker 17. This village sits on the Keanae Peninsula beneath the Koolau Gap in Haleakala Crater. In this little Hawaiian village, residents still grow their own taro and make their own poi. This site was voted as one of the top ten picnic areas in Hawaii.
Wailua Peninsula Lookout
About .2 mile past mile marker 19. This lookout point features another beautiful view.
Pua'a Ka'a State Wayside Park
About .6 mile past mile marker 22. This picnic spot features easy access to beautiful waterfalls and swimming spots.
Wainapanapa State Park
Just past mile marker 32. This park features another stunning black sand beach and the infamous caves where legendary Princess Popoalaea hid from her cruel husband.
Hotel Hana
Just past mile marker 33. Veer right at the fork in the road and travel one mile. Known as one of the most romantic hotels in the world the luxury resort has been a favorite destination resort for travelers for many years.
Hana Bay
Turn left onto Uakea just past mile marker 34 about 1.5 miles past Hana. While the bay is another black sand beach created by eroding lava flow, another white sand beach is located about another half mile down.
Hana Cultural Center and Museum
On Uakea Road just past Hana Bay. As the birthplace of Queen Kaahumanu, wife of King Kamehameha I, Hana's Cultural Center preserves the ancient culture of the native people. The site features a jail that was used from 1871 to 1978, and the reconstruction of a village dating back to before Europeans landed on the Hawaiian Islands.
Ka'uiki Hill & Kaihalulu Beach
Park at Hana Bay Beach. The hill was formed by one of the last lava streams on Maui as sprays of lava into the air were blown onto the side of the hill. The lava in this area contains rich iron deposits and forms a dark reddish/rust color. Kaihalulu Beach is also known as the Red Sand Beach. The hike to the beach can be slippery, but the view is well worth the effort.
Hamoa Beach
Turn left onto Haneo'o Road, 1.5 miles past Hana. This white sand beach was voted as one of the top 10 beaches in Hawaii.
Palapala Ho'omau Church
About 8 miles past Hana, turnoff road is at mile marker 41. This is the final resting place of famed aviator, Charles Lindbergh.
Kipahulu
Thirty minutes past Hana at mile marker 42. Location of the famous Seven Sacred Pools (Ohe'o Gulch) located within Haleakala National Park.
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