The road to Hana, Maui - off the beaten track

Perhaps you have seen, or heard about, the T-shirts that say "I drove the road to Hana"; well I did and I wear my t-shirt proudly.

Driving to Hana, is not for the faint of heart, this winding road, with over 600 curves, 54 bridges - many of them one-lane; and some of the most spectacular scenery, is best enjoyed carefully and at a slow pace. Here are some tips to get the drive started in the right direction, and help make your day a safe one, full of fun.

1. Make sure you have allotted the full day for your trip to Hana, or if possible stay overnight
in the town, and leisurely drive back the next day.

2. Be sure you start with a full tank of gas, you can fill up in Hana before starting back.

3. Check the road conditions before starting out, unexpected closures can occur.

4. Get an early start, as many of the stops along the drive, have space for only one or
two cars at one time.

5. It is best to have two drivers, on this road you cannot drive and sightsee at the
same time, this way both get to enjoy the views along the way.

6. Doing this on your own, you should have a good "guide book", one that list
the "sights" by the mile markers, and highlights areas of interest. It is also possible
to get a CD with this information.

7. Pay attention to the mile "markers" along the road, as they are your best guide,
as to where to stop.

8. When possible, stop and let the faster drivers pass you, makes it less stressful
and shows the Aloha spirit.

9. Do not just drive to Hana go beyond Hana, stop for lunch, then drive beyond
the town, there is more interesting places to see.

10. Bring the essentials - water, swim suit,, snacks, bugs repellant, beach towels,
sunscreen. Wear shoes you do not mind getting mud on, and comfortable clothes.

11. And remember the camera - you do not want to see a beautiful waterfall and
no way to take a photograph of it. Be sure the camera is fully charges, and there
is lots of memory.

12. Last but not least - do not leave valuables in the car, and always lock it.

Lets drive the Hana Highway

Highway 360 officially begins outside the town of Hi'ika. Along the way, there are hundreds of streams and waterfalls to be seen, and the numbered markers - along the roadway - shows where these waterfalls are located.

Marker #10. Waikamoi Falls is located just off the highway, where several waterfalls can be seen along the Waikamoi Stream. This smaller waterfall may be dry, depending on recent rainfall, a much larger waterfall is located upstream. Care should be taken as the trails, that lead to waterfalls, can be very slippery.

Marker #11. Lower Puohokamoa Falls is a stunning waterfall, just a few feet off the Hana Highway, near one of the bridges. There is a small parking space to leave the car, from which a path leads to the falls and picnic area. This waterfall ranges from a mere trickle to a thundering cascade - depending on the rainfall - and empties into a deep slippery pool. A short ten minutes walk upstream, leads to the the main falls , which drops dramatically over a 200-foot cliff. These trails can be slippery and muddy, for those who prefer the waterfalls can be easily viewed from the nearby Puohokamoa Falls Lookout.

Along the winding stretch of the Hana Highway - east of Mile 13 - the road cuts into the side of a cliff near Honomanu Bay - here, as elsewhere on the highway there are spectacular ocean views - but for passengers only, drivers need to be careful rounding this stretch of narrow blind curves.

Markers #19 & #20. Three Bear Falls - also known as Upper Waikani Falls - is a very popular waterfall on this sgtretch of the highway, it can be reached by a very short path, that runs beside the bridge - as with all the Falls, it is slippery and muddy.

Marker #21. Wailuaki Stream, along the Hana Highway, forms many beautiful waterfalls
after a heavy rain, one that is easily reached from the road is a 10 minute walk up a dirt road near the Wailuaki Bridge. The waterfall can also be seen, further up the road - looking back - as it flows under the bridge.

At Mile 22.1, east of Pua'a Ka'a State Park, the road winds along, beside a canal, this is the highest stretch of the Highway, reaching elevations of 1200 feet. Drive carefully here, 15 MPH would be best.

Marker #31. Makapipi Falls along the highway is where the road crosses over Makapipi Stream and drops into a crystal blue pool. Best viewed by parking - just beyond the bridge - then walk back to the bridge and look down, the sight and sound is beautiful. Take a lot of care here as the switchbacks along here can block the view of oncoming cars.

The Blue Angel Falls, a quarter of a mile beyond Mile Marker 31 and about 3 miles on Ula'ino Road, Nahiku, there is a place to park, then walk a short distance to the waterfall -
along the rocky shoreline. The Falls are right on the beach, just a few feet from the ocean. Called Helele'ike'oha Falls" by the Hawaiians, it is the backdrop to a boulder strewn beach, where native birds, wild pigs and flora surround the area.

Continuing along the highway one will pass over many, if not all, of the historical one-way "bridges" most of which date back to 1910, and are on the " National Register of Historic Places ".

Many of the bridges are near streams and waterfalls, such as Ala'alaula Bridge, Puohokamoa Bridge, Kolea Bridge, and the bridge that crosses the stream at Mile marker 25. This saves on time as one stop accomplishes many sights.

On the outskirts of Hana is a park that should not be missed, Waianapanapa State Park, 120 acres of incredible things to see.
a. Due to its volcanic nature, the sea has eroded the softer rocks to form Sea Stacks - pillars of rock coming up from the ocean floor, some are covered with a variety of green plants, that are a resting spot for the sea birds, while others are shelter for the sea turtles.
b. then there is the Blow Holes in the rocks, where the rough waters will blow 10s feet to splatter in the air.
c. nearby are the natural stone arches were one can watch the waves crashing through them.
d. The Black sand beach is not recommended for swimmingm and one needs to be very careful in the volcanic tubes and dramatic caves. This part of the park has very strong currents.
e. There are camping areas, hiking trails, fishing spots, and a large temple. There is also a hiking trail that leads to the town of Hana.

One of the special draws to this area is the Palapala Ho'omau Church and Charles Lindbergh Grave. The church was founded in 1864, and it's tiny cemetry is where - those who remember the "Lone Eagle's" historic flight - can view Lindberg's grave.

Not far from the Hana Bay Terminus of Routh 360 "Kaihalulu Beach" (Red sands), this is a collapsed volcanic cinder cone, with a natural breakwater, that makes the water calm inside the cove. The combination of calm waters, cinder cones and the beach's seclusion, makes it popular with nude snorklers.

While Route 360, technically, ends in the town of Hana, the road continues as Highway 31, and is filled with lots more waterfalls and places of interest.. There is a beautiful waterfall at the Mile marker #45, it is located right alongside the road, and beside it is a white cross, a memorial for the earliest Hawaiian Catholic Priests on Maui.

At Mile Marker # 43 is another lovely waterfall, this one is located under the highway bridge, so you can stand under the waterfall and take pictures. Just past the Falls is another shrine - in a lava tube -which was built by a local priest.

One of the most impressive waterfalls - Waimoku Falls - drops 400 feet down a sheer lava rock wall into a boulder strewn pool. This is the largest waterfall on Maui, and where the Pipiwai Trail ends, it is one of the best hiking trails, and is above the "Seven Sacred Pools" located in O'heo Gulch. Along the trail is an infinity pool as well as several other pools, making it one of the best places to spend some time.

Plan on spending some time in Hana, the town is rooted in Hawaiian tradition, where the pastures come right up to the main street. Shop in the Hasegawa General Store for unique souveniers; swim or sunbathe at Hana Beach Park or Hamoa Beach - which James Michener claimed " was the most beautiful beach in the Pacific"; and visit Kanahu Gardens , one of five National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Hawaii.

There are a few places to stay overnight -
a. the Historic Hotel Hana, a luxurious retreat in the village.
b. the Hana Hale Inn with bungalows and cottages
c. The Bamboo Inn on Hana Baym an intimate hotel, with three oceanfront suites.
d. the Hana Kai Maui, an oceanfront condo resort
e. as well as a variety of cottages and camground facilities.

While staying in Hana, don't miss the windsurfers at Hookipa Beach .

Driving the road to Hana and seeing all the wonders of nature, makes any holiday spent on Maui a special added feature. Visitors who opt to "do the driving" themselves, should also include - more than one driver. This gives each driver the opportunity to see the "wonders of nature", and does not put too much stress on just one person.