What You Want to Know About The Road to Hana

A Journey to Remember

EXPLORE SAFELY INTERESTING FACTS MUST-DO STOPS REAL EXPERIENCE SHARINGS RECOMMENDED CODE OF CONDUCT

What You Want to Know About The Road to Hana

“It’s not the destination but the journey that is important.”

This quote is almost true of Hana, Hawaii. The rustic town of Hana is so peaceful and beautiful that it’s well worth the journey, but in order to see beautiful Hana, you need to tackle the famous Hana Highway.

The renowned Road to Hana runs just 52 miles from Kahului, but the journey can take several hours due to its narrow, single-lane bridges, winding turns, and breathtaking island views. There’s an “Oh, wow!” danger factor when driving the Road to Hana, as it’s easy to get distracted by the beautiful views when you should be watching the road.

Tip

For a smoother (and safer) experience, visitors are advised to explore the road through a guided tour, with professional operators. So, leave your car behind and relax while listening to your local driver “talk story” about the sights and legends along the way!

Car-Free Experiences to Explore the Road To Hana

Some Interesting Facts About the Road to Hana

Among the alternative names for the Road to Hana are, “Hana Highway”, “Highway 360”, and the “Divorce Highway”. This last moniker is due to the ultimate relationship test… 617 turns and 46 one-lane bridges.

The “Divorce Highway” features 59 bridges, 46 of which are only one lane! Amazingly, all but one of these is an original bridge built in 1910 when the Hana Highway was first completed. Only one had been so damaged by erosion that it had to be replaced.

Construction of the road started in the 1800’s and opened to traffic on December 18, 1926. It was carved by pickaxe-wielding convicts. It was totally paved in 1962 when visitor traffic began to increase.

POV: You are driving the Road to Hana

It is the longest rainforest highway in the USA and a registered “Historic Area”. Your driver will point out some lesser-known viewpoints and places only locals would know.

Hana Highway runs along an isolated part of east Maui that is shielded by lots of rock, causing cell zone interference from the 10,000-ft Haleakala Volcano. As a result, cell phone reception is often spotty or non-existent along the majority of the road.

The drive takes about 5 hours one way, with a few stops at the main attractions. The road is 52 miles long, and the posted speed limit is 25 mph, if you want to do the math.

Road To Hana route

The Hana Highway route

Road To Hana Bridge

A bridge on Road to Hana

‘Must-Do’ Stops on the Road to Hana

Support Local Businesses!

Be aware that sometimes the mile markers are covered by vegetation. Everything grows like crazy here!

maui fact about road to hana stops paia town

PAIA TOWN

Paia

Great breakfast stop, grab a picnic for the road, fill up your gas.

Known for its laid-back, surf town ambiance, Pāʻia town makes for a great breakfast stop, and you can also grab a picnic lunch at a local establishment. If you do decide to drive yourself, you’ll want to fill up your gas tank on the way out, as there is only one gas station on the road to Hana, located all the way in Hana Town.

HO’OKIPA LOOKOUT

Windsurfing and Turtles

Mile Marker 9

Watch windsurfing or kitesurfing, spot turtles and monk seals.

Located at mile marker 9 along the Hana Highway, Ho’okipa Beach Park is gorgeous. The roadside Ho’okipa Lookout offers a great viewpoint from above the park. The consistent winds on the North Shore create ideal conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing on the island. From here, you can watch world-class windsurfing, kiteboarding, and surfing daredevils pull off some amazing moves.

As a bonus, Hawaiian green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are known to hang out at this beautiful spot in the afternoon, so watch where you walk on this beach because they look like boulders – until you see one move! And, a note of caution… do not approach turtles or monk seals within 15 feet as it stresses the animals. Monk seals are like dogs of the sea, and they will bite if provoked!

maui fact about road to hana stops hookipa lookout

maui fact about road to hana stops twin falls swim girl

Swim at TWIN FALLS

Mile Marker 2

Hike to the waterfalls and swim in the plunge pools, enjoy snacks at the farm stand.

The first accessible waterfalls along the Road to Hana are the Twin Falls, located at mile marker 2. Situated on Wailele Farm, Twin Falls features two main waterfalls along with several smaller cascades. The Lower Falls are conveniently close to the parking area, making the short walk manageable for most visitors. A word to the wise, wear closed-toe shoes only!

If you have your swimsuit with you, feel free to take a refreshing dip in the plunge pool at either or both of the waterfalls.

All of that swimming and wandering can make you hungry! Luckily the farm stand at the Falls provides a variety of delightful products, including smoothies, drinking coconuts, banana bread, and coconut milk ice cream.

Incredible colors at RAINBOW EUCALYPTUS GROVE

Mile Marker 7

View the colorful trees, and take photos from the road.

You might spot scattered rainbow eucalyptus trees along the Road to Hana, but the most vibrant grove is located near mile marker 7. As you drive towards Hana, your driver will point out the painted forest on the ocean side of the road.

This rainbow eucalyptus grove is one of the most colorful stops on the Road to Hana. The bark of these trees is particularly vivid when the outer layer peels away and the wood is wet, the bright green layer underneath gradually changes to hues of orange, pink, or maroon before turning brown.

Since the grove is on private land, you can only admire the trees from the road.

maui fact about road to hana stops eucalyptus tree

maui fact about road to hana stops whale watching

There be WHALES

In winter months – keep a lookout!

Mile Marker 12

Have a picnic, watch for whales (in winter), restrooms available.

Kaumahina State Wayside Park is located just past mile marker 12 on the Hana Highway. The park provides stunning coastal views and an excellent vantage point over the Keanae Peninsula and Village. During the winter season, you might even spot whales in the water. The park has restrooms and a few picnic tables too.

Yes, AUNTY SANDY’S BANANA BREAD is real

In fact, it’s famous!

Mile Marker 16

Taste fresh banana bread.

In 1983, Aunty Sandy Hueu started baking her renowned banana bread in Keʻanae, Maui. By 2003, her daughter Tammy joined her, establishing a genuine, family-owned and operated food stand on the Keanae Peninsula. Since then, Aunty Sandy’s has become a must-visit spot for freshly baked banana bread. The stand has been featured in various magazines and publications and was even highlighted on Gordon Ramsay’s “Uncharted” television series on the National Geographic Channel.

It’s so “ono” (good) that you’ll need to buy an extra loaf to take back with you!

maui fact about road to hana stops banana banana bread

maui fact about road to hana stops maui hana town sign

Relax in HANA TOWN – You made it!

Enjoy some lunch while you’re here

Hana Town

Have lunch, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Hana spans 4,500 acres and was once owned by the Unna Brothers, who cultivated sugar cane in the 1800s. In 1935, Paul Fagan purchased the area and began raising cattle. Today, Hana is owned by a group of local and mainland investors. This charming town offers Maui visitors a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In Hana, you can enjoy a delicious meal and chat with friendly locals, making it the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway.

What Our Guests Say – Real Experiences from the Road to Hana

Road to Hana Recommended Code of Conduct

Your local driver/guide is familiar with the Code

Use the State Park and County restroom facilities ONLY.
Enjoy the various farms and botanical gardens, and be sure to stop at the local produce stands along the way so you can contribute to the local economy.
Stay away from spots located on private properties, they are usually marked as private, but if not, please avoid areas that lack visitor welcoming signage.
Park in designated parking stalls. Vehicles protruding onto the highway are subject to being ticketed and/or towed.
Do not enter streams during, or just after, periods of heavy rains due to the potential for flash flooding conditions.
Please respect the ʻāina (land). Put trash in receptacles, stay on the paths, respect wildlife and plants, and take safety precautions. Hawai’i is WILD!
If someone is following close behind your car, pull over, and wave to them to pass when it’s safe for them to pass. Many locals commute on this highway every day, know the road, and have schedules too.
Drive with Aloha! Wave to show thanks, give the shaka hand sign and spread the Aloha when somebody yields or waits for you to go.
Don’t stop on bridges, not ever… period. Not even to take photos. It causes traffic nightmares and you will be ticketed.