The Road to Hana must be on your list of things to do in Maui. This road trip takes place on a narrow winding road along the north shore to the eastern side of Maui. There are so many kid-friendly sights along the way: epic waterfalls and swimming holes, beautiful tropical gardens, stunning beaches, cool lava tubes, amazing hiking trails, bamboo forests, and snack stands selling delicious homemade banana bread.
Although the Road to Hana is a great activity for the whole family, you can’t just throw the kids in the car and go. You will need to be prepared and do a bit of research. Good thing for you, I’ve done all the work and compiled a list of the most worthy stops, all the tips you need to know and even included our exact itinerary.
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Table of Contents
Practical Information
What is the Road to Hana
The Road to Hana or as it is officially known “Hana Highway”, is 64.4 miles long. It starts in the town of Paia and continue past the town of Hana in East Maui. It is a very scenic drive through lush green rainforest.
The road is windy and narrow with 620 hairpin turns, countless blind corners, and 59 one-lane bridges. Needless to say it’s not for the faintest of heart. But with enough preparation, and by driving slowly and carefully, you can have a very enjoyable time even with kids.
How Long Does it Take to Drive the Road to Hana
It takes 2 to 3 hours to drive without stopping. However since you are reading this blog post, it is fair to assume you will plan to stop ๐
We started in Kihei which is only 20 mins from Paia. Incidentally, I highly recommend staying in Kihei as it was a central location to all our outings. When you are the only driver, every minute added to your trip counts. We were in Paia by 7am and didn’t make it back to our condo until almost 9 pm.
With speed limited to 15-30 mph, and with the different stops mentioned below, you can easily spend 12+ hours driving the Road to Hana, making for a perfect albeit long day trip.
Road to Hana Tips
Transportation
Decide whether you will drive a car rental or do a tour. Small group tours are offered by tour companies and might be an option if you feel intimidated by the road. If you decide on a rental car, make sure everybody fits in comfortably and keep the top on. You will be driving in the rainforest and chances are you will get rained on at some point. Also since the major car rental companies prohibit you from taking their cars along the โbacksideโ, you will have to drive the loop to Hana and back.
Make sure to fill up your gas tank before you embark on your journey. Driving the Road to Hana is an all-day affair and most important, there are NO gas stations along the way until you reach Hana. Don’t get caught running out of gas on the road.
Cell Service
There is no cell service for most of the Road to Hana so you’ll need to plan your navigation. I always download Google Maps for offline use when I know I will be in a no-cell area. It might be worth it to invest in a self-guided audio tour.
When to Go
Always check the weather before you go. You don’t want to drive the Road to Hana in heavy rain as the roads can be dangerous and there may be threats of floods and landslide.
Try to start your day trip as early as possible like 6-7 am so you can make it back before nightfall. Trust me on this, you don’t want to get caught in the dark.
Security
There have unfortunately been reports of car break-ins on the Road to Hana. Leave your valuables at the hotel and do not leave things laying around in plain sight in the car. Finally always double check you lock your car before leaving.
Food
Although you will be stopping along the way for snacks (this is a must by the way), stock up on food in Paia at the start of your journey. I always pack a collapsible cooler for our travels but if you don’t have one, definitely buy one once you reach your destination. I pack our foods in the cooler and it keeps the drinks cool as well. It is so nice to have a cool drink when it is hot and muggy out.
So back at Paia, you have several choices. Popular stops are: Mana Foods and Ku’au store has salads, paninies, smoothies, fruits, and baked goods (their nutella croissant is simply to die for)
Bring Dramamine
I usually don’t get motion sickness when I am the driver, but because the road was so windy, I started to feel a bit sick. Thank goodness I had non-drowsy Dramamine with me. I also gave my daughter Kids Dramamine as a precaution. We made it to Hana and back without any incident.
Spend the Night in Hana
My daughter is used to being in the car for long road trips (we’ve driven to Florida in one go countless times). I knew she would be able to handle this trip. However if your kids are not used to long car travels and/or are on the younger side, I would highly suggest breaking the drive in 2 days and spend the night in Hana. This way you will be able to enjoy all the stops at a leisurely pace without the kids (and grown-ups!) being too overwhelmed.
Although don’t just dismiss this excursion if you are not staying in Hana. Driving the Road to Hana is still a bucket list experience. You can always pick a few stops from the list below, drive there and back and call it a day. You know how that saying goes “it’s about the journey rather than the destination”? It definitely applies here.
Actually, I had initially planned to stay overnight in Hana. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any accommodations that fit our budget. Next time we are in Maui, I will make sure to plan ahead for this so we don’t feel rushed. I have my eyes set on the Hana-Maui resort, a fantastic waterfront resort surrounded by 70 acres of lush tropical gardens. Each bungalow features a terrace with ocean views. The resort offers spa wellness classes, local activities such as lei making, and outdoor adventure activities such as horseback riding.
What to Pack for the Road to Hana
Bring swimsuit, sunscreen, bug spray, towels, dry clothes, rain jacket, and suitable hiking shoes (preferably some you don’t mind getting wet and muddy) Wear your swimsuit under your clothes as there are not many places to get changed. I also always keep a first aid kit in my hiking backpack. Have some cash handy for the many food stands along the way. Lastly don’t forget toys to keep the kids entertained on the road.
As for electronics, bring a phone with fully charged batteries, car charger, camera, gopro, and the kids electronics. Because I am always worried of running out of juice, I also carry a portable battery with me as a precaution.
Respect the Locals
The Road to Hana attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year but most tourists forget that there are locals who live there and share the road.
- obey the “no parking”, “private property” and “no trespassing” signs
- let locals pass you on the narrow road. Also rule of thumb is if there are more than 5 cars behind you, pull over to let the other cars pass you
- be courteous to other drivers and alternate who crosses next on one-lane bridges
- always find a safe place to pull over and take photos
- leave no trace: pack your trash and do not take any sand or rocks
- don’t honk in traffic as it is considered rude
Best Stops on the Road to Hana
After a lot (A LOT!) of research, I’ve identified the best stops worth visiting on the Road to Hana which I have listed below. Many of them are free to access. Some do charge an admission fee. All stops are identified by their mile markers.
Paia and Ho’okipa Beach (before MM)
I already mentioned earlier that Paia makes a great pit stop. Paia has a surf town vibes and will be great to re-visit another day.
Ho’okipa Beach could also be done another time. This beach is very popular with the surfers and it is so cool to watch them riding the waves.
Twin Falls (MM 2)
Located on a family-owned farm, Twin Falls is the first major waterfalls on your journey to Hana. From the parking lot, it is a quick walk to Lower Falls but for a better vantage point, it might be worth hiking a mile out and back to Upper Twin Falls. Access is free but you can support the owners by patronizing their food stand.
Garden of Eden Arobretum (MM 10.5)
Lush, beautiful tropical gardens with peacocks and magnificent ocean views. This family-owned arboretum is home to 700 plants and waterfall viewpoints. Garden of Eden is a great stop on the Road to Hana. Cost is $15 per vehicle. The arboretum is open from 8 am to 4 pm.
Ke’anae Peninsula Viewpoint (MM13)
The Ke’anae Peninsula has a dramatic shoreline where the waves come crashing against the lava rocks. It is home to an old Hawaiian village and taro fields adding to the already picturesque views.
Halfway to Hana Snack Stand is Literally Halfway Through the Road to Hana (MM 17)
This food stand sells banana bread, hot dogs, and other treats. If you don’t feel like purchasing any food, consider stopping for a great photoshoot opportunity with the famous “Halfway to Hana” sign.
Upper Waikani Falls (MM 19)
Also known as Three Bears Falls, this pretty waterfall is located just off the side of the road.
Lava Tube Cave (MM 23)
Unique 150 feet deep cave. After parking on the side of the road, you will find a small entrance across the road between the bushes. Bring a flashlight or your phone.
Coconut Glens Ice Cream (MM 27.5)
Coconut Glens is an ice-cream stand that serves delicious organic vegan ice-cream.
Wai’anapanapa State Park: a Must-Stop on the Road to Hana (MM 32)
Wai’anapanapa State Park is a popular stop on the Road to Hana. Nestled between lush tropical greenery and black lava cliffs, Pa’iloa Beach is famous for its black sand. The deep blue waters and greenery stand out against the black sand and the result is simply stunning! And although the park is known for its black sand beach, there are plenty to see: cliffs, blowhole, caves, and lava tubes.
To mitigate the influx of visitors, beginning March 2021, advance reservations are now required for all non-residents. You can reserve a time slot on their website.
Ohe’o Gulch (MM 42)
The Seven Sacred Pools at Ohe’o Gulch are located in the Kipahulu District of Haleakala National Park. This section of the park is 10 miles past Hana on a bumpy potholed road. Although the area is now fenced down and you can no longer swim there, the short trail is only half a mile loop from the Visitor Center and fairly easy for kids. The Park is open from 9 am to 5 pm. There is a $30 entrance fee per vehicle valid for 3 days.
Pipiwai Trail and Waimoku Falls: Tallest Waterfalls on the Road to Hana (MM 42)
Just like Ohe’o Gulch, the Pipiwai Trail is located inside Haleakala National Park. It is in my opinion, one of the major attractions on the Road to Hana. If hiking this trail is one of your priority (which it should be), make sure to get there as early as possible.
The Pipiwai Trail is a 4 mile out and back trail with a 650 ft elevation rating it moderate. The trail will take you through a lush rainforest. Along the way you will find a big banyan tree, Makahiku Falls, the famous bamboo forest and finally Waimoku Falls, which at 400 feet is the tallest waterfall on the island. It is totally do-able with kids, just take your time and enjoy the many viewpoints.
Wailua Falls (MM 45)
About 25 minutes past Hana is Wailua Falls, a picturesque 80-foot waterfall. You can view it from the bridge or walk down a short steep trail to the pool. It is a popular place to swim.
Our One Day Itinerary Driving the Road to Hana
Below you will find our exact itinerary should you wish to replicate it. As you will see, we didn’t stop everywhere. Since we only had one day to do the drive and back, I identified our absolute must stops which were Haleakala and Wai’anapana. My plan was to get to Pipiwai Trail by 11 am. We started on the hike just before noon. My only mistake was being overly ambitious on how long it would take us to hike the trail. Still I have no regrets as it was a beautiful hike and I am glad we made it all the way to Waimoku Falls.
- We left our condo at 6:30 am and started our journey at Ku’au store in Paia. There we grabbed sandwiches, salads, and pastries. We had already packed chips, cookies and drinks from our condo. It might seem like a lot of food for 2 people but I like to have options.
- Garden of Eden Arboretum. We were here for about an hour. It was nice to get out of the car and stretch our legs in the gardens. We also took advantage of the clean bathrooms on site.
- Halfway to Hana. We grabbed a loaf (or 2 but who keeps count anyway) of banana bread, smoothies, and coconut candy at this stand. Everything was delicious.
- We made a quick stop at Upper Waikani Falls just a few minutes. Another car was leaving and I didn’t have to look/wait for parking
- My daughter insisted we stop for ice cream at Coconut Glens and I obliged ๐
- Haleakala National Park. This was our longest stop. Between hiking Pipiwai and Seven Sacred Pools trails, and stopping for a lunch picnic, we were there for a solid 4 hours.
- Wailua Falls. We only stopped for pictures from the bridge. In retrospect, it would have been fun to swim there. Next time though!
- Wai’anapanapa State Park. There was so much to see and do here and spent a couple hours.
It was almost 6:30 pm by the time we left the black sand beach at Wai’anapanapa. With only about an hour or so of daylight left, we decided to forgo our last stop which would have been Ke’anae Peninsula (I wanted to watch the sunset there). It turned out well as within 10 minutes in the car, my little one fell asleep and didn’t wake up until I pulled into our condo’s parking lot some 2.5 hours later. All in all, our day trip took 14.5 hours total from the time we left our condo to the time we got back.
Do you agree with this list? Which stops would you add or remove? Let me know in the comments. As always feel free to subscribe to the blog for more travel inspiration around the country.
Thank you for reading xx
FOR MORE KID-FRIENDLY IDEAS IN MAUI:
- Haleakala: How to experience the Haleakala Sunrise with kids
- Molokini Crater: Can you snorkel at Molokini Crater with kids?
- 7-day Maui Itinerary: How to vacation to Maui with kids?
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