Keanae Peninsula & Area

Go At Least Halfway To Hana

Keanae Maui

Keanae peninsula pushes out defiantly into the North Pacific, birthed by lava from the Haleakala volcano. This piece of land has suffered numerous changes and tragedies. The first people carried soil down from the mountain to create a lush food-growing area. Unfortunately, itʻs open to tsunamis and one such one swept over this land in the 1940s.

This is a must-stop area for all visitors taking to the road to Hana for the day. Beautiful overlooks, waterfalls and pools, competing family-run banana bread stands, a coral stone church, incredible shoreline full of tidepools and sharp lava rock as well as big waves!

Fun Fact

Kipahulu is located between Hana and Kaupo and was added to the park in order to preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the valley.

History of Keanae Area And The Peninsula

Keanae Peninsula Overview of Taro and YMCA Cliff Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Taro Farm Detail Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Overlook Vegetation Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Taro Farm and Coast Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Taro Field in Yard Road to Hana Maui

Historically it has been an important area to the Hawaiians for a number of geographical reasons. The gap above Keanae provides less steep access to the mountain and the resources around it. There are a lot of streams that feed the Wailua Valley, situated above Keanae that would have supported a good population. The cliffs and itʻs access points to the ocean would have made this area a more easily defendable area during times when conflict was part of a yearly cycle.

Keanae Peninsula Stone Wall Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Taro Farm and Coast Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Waves Crash Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Visitor Family Child Waves Road to Hana Maui

Keanae Peninsula Overlook Road to Hana Maui

Aerial Keanae Peninsula to Koolau Gap

Unlike other areas of the island, Keanaeʻs ahupuaa is separated by cliffs so the farming and hunting areas up the mountain were not easily accessible from the ocean and the canoes which was the primary mode of trade and transportation. The alii (chiefs) of the time decided that it was important enough to terraform a barren spit of lava into some of the most productive farmland in Hawaii.

Top Things to See in Keanae

The Point
Stand at the Northernmost point of the island and the most exposed point to the north pacific. There is nothing between you and Alaska!
Aunty Sandy or Halfway To Hana Stands
Need some banana bread or other great little snacks for the rest of your journey on the road to Hana? Grab some banana bread and decide for yourself which you love more.
Keanae Peninsula Overlook
Look out across the loi (fields of taro) in beautiful patterns below fed with water by the nearby stream as it has been done for many, many centuries.
Waterfalls & Ponds
In and around the area there are many gulches with hiking trails in them that lead to pools for swimming. Donʻt go in these without a guide. Visitors donʻt know the signs of a flash flood (it happens more often than you think) and serious injuries do occur.

Helicopter Tours

Flying over the Hana coastline is a must. You will see so many more waterfalls and really appreciate the area, especially if you plan to drive through it later. The helicopter tours we are offering all fly over the Keanae Peninsula and some may go up the valley near the borders of Haleakala National Park too.

ALL HELICOPTER TOURS

Sightseeing Tours

Almost every Hana sightseeing tour makes it out to visit Keanae as itʻs the halfway point to Hana and for those who just want a small taste, it gives you a lot for the time.

ALL HANA HIGHWAY TOURS

Facts About Keanae

What is the importance of all the loi in the area?

Loi is a taro patch, an area of land where it is grown. The Keanae Peninsula, many centuries ago was a barren lava field. It supported no vegetation. The local population terraformed it by bringing soil down from the mountain and diverting the water from the streams into the loi to grow the taro. Taro is the primary food starch for the Hawaiian people for many generations. Mixed with a little freshwater and pounded into a mash called poi. It makes for a delicious side to the fresh fish, pork, or chicken meals. I love it with poke or fresh, uncooked fish.
What is the story behind the tsunami that struck the island?

In the early morning of 1946, at 7 AM multiple waves struck Maui and waves washed over the entire peninsula carrying houses away and killing whole families. Some of those who survived are people like Aunty Sandy and her family who have lived on the same patch of land for generations.
What is the secret behind the great-tasting banana bread from this area?

We donʻt want to give away anyoneʻs secrets but there could be a number of reasons. The types and variety of bananas used, how the ingredients are prepared and mixed, or it could be simply how much aloha is put into everything the bakers do out here.

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Your Road To Hana Experts

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Top Road To Hana Stops

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