A trip to Maui isn't complete without embarking on the journey through the Hana Highway. This curvy coastal road, full of lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls, features over 600 sharp turns and more than 50 single-lane bridges. Please note: The lane after Twin Falls narrows, often only allowing one car at a time. Avoid straying from the paths as it's easy to lose your way. Stick to the trails! Before you set off, consider taking screenshots or screen recordings of your guides, as mobile service can be spotty. If you're not confident driving the route yourself, there are many reputable tour companies that offer guided trips. Below are some noteworthy stops for an unforgettable journey!
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Pa’ia Town
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Once a plantation settlement, this town now hosts local shops, Mana grocery store, and a variety of eateries. It's an excellent place to refuel, grab snacks, or enjoy dinner on your return journey!
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Mile Marker 2: Twin Falls
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Witness Maui's captivating waterfalls. Parking is available on the right-hand side, adjacent to the Twin Falls fruit stand. Do bring cash for the approximate $10 parking fee. The lower waterfall is a short walk to the left through the gate, while the upper fall is about a mile up the trail. The full hike covers around 2 miles.
Jungle Zipline
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The Jungle Zipline Maui Canopy Tour traverses a tropical valley on the North Shore of Maui Hawaii, an area known since ancient times as Waipio. This guided Eco tour brings you in direct contact with native Hawaiian plants and traditional Hawaiian Taro farming. With soaring platforms built into majestic trees, accentuated by arching swinging bridges and state of the art zipline design and construction. Our course promises the best of Maui zipline adventures, serene and thrilling all at once. Jungle Zipline is conveniently located only footsteps off the Hana highway in Haiku. This allows you to combine and experience this new adventure on your drive to Hana.
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Mile Marker 4.5 — Huelo Lookout
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A visit to Huelo Lookout early in your drive for a refreshing fruit smoothie is a great idea. The banana bliss smoothie, blending fresh papaya, coconut, and bananas, embodies the taste of Hawaii.
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Mile Marker 9.5 — Waikamoi Trail
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This trail offers a gentle loop hike surrounded by ferns, towering trees, and picturesque overlooks. Choose between the longer and shorter routes. We opted for the less than a mile shorter one due to time constraints on our Hana Highway trip.
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Mile Marker 10.5
— Garden of Eden Arboretum
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This 26-acre nature haven at the Arboretum and Botanical Garden features native and indigenous species alongside exotic flora, trees, and birds from the South Pacific region and the world's tropical rainforests. It's open from 8am to 3pm, with an entry fee of $15 per person.
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Mile Marker 11 – Puohokamoa Falls
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Located just off the Hana Highway, this 20-foot waterfall cascades into a deep pool. There's a covered picnic area nearby. A short walk upstream from the picnic tables, you'll find another waterfall, typically less crowded.
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Mile Marker 12 – Kaumahina State Wayside Park
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Just beyond mile marker 12, you'll discover the first State Park on the Hana Highway. This 7.8-acre forested spot offers a serene stream, a small waterfall, and pools. A highlight is the breathtaking view of the Ke’anae Peninsula and village. Loop trails lead uphill from the ocean, allowing you to observe various exotic plants. Restrooms and picnic spots are available.
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Mile Marker 14.1 – Honomanu Bay
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Nestled within a valley, this bay first comes into view between mile markers 12 & 13. There are several lookout points worth stopping at for the stunning views!
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Mile Marker 16.8 – Ke’anae Arboretum & Village
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You're halfway to Hana! Here, you'll find the Ke’anae Arboretum, home to 150 plant specimens across six acres. The arboretum, set along the Pi’ina’au stream, showcases traditional Hawaiian terraced plots (Lo'i) for taro cultivation. Walk along the gentle trails for a view of the rugged Hana coastline, and spot a variety of tropical trees including banana, papaya, mountain apple, breadfruit, and rainbow eucalyptus.
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Mile Marker 17 – Ke’anae Peninsula
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The Ke’anae Peninsula is a striking outcrop of new lava extending from the cliff line. Enjoy fantastic views from a highway pull-out, or take the road leading down the peninsula for a closer look at the surf. This area was nearly obliterated by a tsunami in 1946, with only a stone church remaining standing - a testament to its resilience.
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Mile Marker 18.9 – Wailua Valley State Wayside Park
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From this lookout, you can see into Ke’anae Valley. The park offers views of waterfalls, the Ko’olau Gap, Wailua Peninsula, and the edge of Haleakala Crater. Follow the steps on the right for a better view of the Wailua Peninsula, or continue 0.25 miles down the road for an even more stunning vista.
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Mile Marker 19.2 – Wailua Peninsula Lookout
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Here, you can view taro fields, ponds, and rainforests - a perfect photo opportunity awaits.
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Mile Marker 19.5 - Upper Waikani Falls
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Also known as Three Bear Falls, Upper Waikani Falls is a popular stop on the Road to Hana. Conveniently located right beside the road, it's an easy and quick stop.
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Mile Marker 22.6 – Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park
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Across from the park's parking lot, a short path leads to accessible waterfalls and swimming holes. This spot is ideal for a picnic, and you might even spot mongoose or wild Maui chickens.
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Mile Marker 27.5 – Coconut Glen’s Big Dumb Coconut Stand
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Indulge in ice cream and coconut candy, handmade from fresh coconuts. All offerings are natural, organic, and vegan.
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Mile Marker 28.5 – Nahiku Food Stands
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This quaint coffee shop offers locally baked goods, Maui-grown coffee, organic tropical fruit smoothies, and Jungle Johnny's original coconut candy. Next door, the Ti Gallery sells local Hawaiian arts and crafts.
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Mile Marker 31.1 – Hana Lave Tube
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Explore the largest lava tube on Maui, a thousand-year-old tunnel adorned with stalactites, stalagmites, and beautiful flowstone. The self-guided tour, equipped with LED flashlights, takes approximately 40 minutes.
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Mile Marker 31.2 – Pi’ilani Heiau National Historic Landmark
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This landmark is Hawaii's largest ancient place of worship, dating back to the 14th Century. The Heiau is associated with Maui's Pi’ilani dynasty, and the surrounding gardens are a haven of Hawaiian flora.
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Mile Marker 32 – Wainapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
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Experience 122 acres of remote, low-cliff volcanic coastline, offering camping, picnicking, shore fishing, and family hiking along an ancient Hawaiian trail.
Reservations needed. Visit Gowaianapanapa.com
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Mile Marker 43 – Pua’a Lu’u Falls
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Here, you'll cross a bridge and find a pull-out on the right side of the road. Follow the path near the massive tree to the falls, located right beneath the highway bridge. This location, with its constant flow of spring-fed water, offers a unique photo opportunity under the falls, independent of seasonal rains.
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Hana Town
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After journeying through miles of winding highway, breathing in the scent of fragrant flowers, and marveling at plunging cliffs, you'll find yourself in Hana Town, one of Hawaii's most authentic locales. This small town features the Hotel Travaasa Hana, Hasagawa's General Store, a couple of restaurants, the Hana Museum, historical buildings, churches, and the serene Hana Bay.
