Top 15 Places to Stop
on the Road To Hana

Without a doubt, Ho’okipa is one of the most legendary beaches in Hawaii. It is recognized worldwide because it’s one of the most popular beaches on the planet for watersports: surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddling, and more.

The beach park offers more than just beauty and cool aloha vibes. Here, you’ll find a beach cove with many surf breaks and places to chill out under Maui’s glorious sunshine. It’s also outfitted with BBQs, three pavilions, public restrooms, showers, and two lifeguard towers.

Ho’okipa is like the backyard for many local Maui families. A few tips that would benefit visitors of Ho’okipa would be to drive slowly through the parking lot, greet locals with respect and smiles, and pay particular care of your carbon footprint. Like any beach in Hawaii!

As of late, Ho’okipa has gained in popularity due to the migration of the Hawaiian green sea turtles. If you visit Ho’okipa Beach to see Maui’s turtles, keep a distance of at least 10 and absolutely do not touch, harass or bother these amazing marine creatures. On any day, the turtles rest in abundance, and when we say rest, that’s what we mean.

Ho’okipa Beach has a beautiful community of families, water sports athletes, and more. It is worth a visit at any time of the day.

Twin Falls is located at Mile Marker 2 along the Road to Hana. You will see the Twin Falls Farm Stand on your right. An attendant will greet you and tell you where to park. The $10 parking fee helps pay for the farm’s general expenses and infrastructure improvement so that visitors can continue to enjoy the falls for years to come. Paid parking is available but limited, and parking along Hana Highway is strictly prohibited.

Guests can take a breather and try delicious fruit smoothies, acai bowls, or fresh coconut. All smoothies are made with freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and tropical fruits grown on Maui. Our favorite smoothies are the Virgin Piña Colada (pineapple and coconut) and the Superfood Slam (coconut, pineapple, banana, and organic spirulina). The Way High in Huelo (pineapple, coconut, turmeric, and ginger) is an excellent option for those that may feel a bit of motion sickness from Hana Highway’s many curves.

Haven’t had your coffee yet? Try a cocochino, a refreshing blend of coconut ice cream and coffee! They also offer a rotating selection of fresh fruit, hot crepes, shave ice, and locally made coconut ice cream.

The grounds are impeccably maintained and have even been recognized by the State of Hawaii for proper land use management and conservation practices.
The grounds feature over 700 labeled herbaceous species, some of which were donated by George Harrison of the Beatles. 2.5 miles of walking trails are decorated by rich tropical varieties of flowers, plants, trees, and more.

The Maui Garden of Eden property also offers a rare waterfall view of Puohokamoa Falls from a distance and a fantastic art gallery full of locally made gifts and Maui souvenirs. You’ll also find Peacocks who love parading in front of the shop! There is a $20 fee to enter the Maui Garden of Eden.

If you’re the adventurous type, book a tour with Rappel Maui, also located on the Garden of Eden property. This unique tour takes you on an unforgettable rainforest adventure as you rope down jungle cliffs and Puohokamoa Falls. Rappel Maui is open to all skill levels and is the only tour of its kind on Maui.

There’s a paved walkway with about a half-mile walk through over 150 varieties of tropical plants: hibiscus, papaya, taro, ginger varieties, native and non-native Hawaiian trees, and more.

There is a road on the makai (left/ocean) side of the road just past Mile Marker 16 to access the Ke’anae Peninsula. Ke’anae is a traditional Hawaiian Village known for its taro fields. While driving down the road, you will pass Aunty Sandy’s stand, famous for its banana bread and arguably the best one you’ll find. The stand also serves smoothies, Maui snacks, and lunch plates such as chili and rice and BBQ pulled pork sandwiches.

Further down the road, you’ll reach the Ke’anae Congregational Church, a historic church made of lava rock and coral built in 1856. Park on the gravel down the road and marvel at the rugged coastline and impressive waves crashing against the rocks.

Please note: there is no swimming at this location.

Whether you come to enjoy views of seemingly endless ocean or rolling clouds over the valleys of Haleakala Volcano, the Wailua Valley State Wayside is a can’t miss.

Wailua Valley State Wayside is located a little over half a mile past Mile Marker 18 along the Road to Hana. Parking is available in the small dirt lot to your right.

Pua’a Ka’a Falls is a 15–20-foot waterfall. This easily accessible waterfall is an excellent option if traveling in a large group or with kids. The walk is short but has great rewards and is a perfect place to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. It’s a peaceful spot and exemplifies the tranquility of Hawaii.

Besides being a popular area for locals and visitors, you can look forward to seeing many feral cats here! As with any other waterfall, avoid swimming if it looks murky and muddy, and consider bringing some non-toxic mosquito spray if you’re prone to bites from the little buggahs.

There are two narrow pull-offs on each side of the bridge, so be careful to safely and fully pull out from the Hana Highway roadway. This is a great spot to snap some souvenir photography and capture a beautiful Maui waterfall memory. Pending conditions and the time of the year, thrill seekers can hike down into the pool for a quick and refreshing swim.

This area is very rich in Hawaiian agriculture history. In 1905, the Nahiku Rubber Company planted over 25,000 Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in this area. Although the Nahiku Rubber Company is no longer in business, this is a unique point of interest in the Hanawi locale.

Hanawi Falls extends all the way to the Nahiku area, marked by the Nahiku Marketplace.

This place is truly a charming little market that will bring a smile to your face! If you haven’t devoured several loaves already, this is an excellent place to get some delectable banana bread; they have different varieties from which to choose!

If you’re hungry for more than sweets, walk up the steps behind the stand and enjoy a wood-fired pizza or a Hawaiian-style plate lunch at the Bamboo Hale, a tropical open-air restaurant made of—you guessed it—bamboo! All the bamboo in the restaurant was sourced from the Whispering Winds Bamboo Farm in Kipahulu. The Bamboo Hale also offers live music every Friday night. Don’t miss out on the island-style acoustic melodies!

The Bamboo Hale is closed on Mondays.

The turquoise water against the black sand and bright green plant life is genuinely gorgeous, and while most visitors only stop to snap a few photos and move on, we highly recommend taking a little longer to explore this park fully. Dip your toes in the pebbly black sand, jump into the ocean (but be careful of strong currents and sometimes dangerous shore breaks), stand inside of the lava tube, and watch the locals cliff-dive from jagged islets.

A new reservation system is in place in Wai’anapanapa, requiring guests to select a date and time slot for their visits. Entrance and parking fees ($10 per vehicle and $5 per person) are mandatory for out-of-state visitors. You will get turned away from entering the park without a reservation, so plan ahead. Campsites and cabins are available with advance notice for visitors who wish to stay longer with friends and family.

Wai’anapanapa State Park is located at Mile Marker 32 along the Road to Hana. Stop at one of the self-service fruit or flower stands along the small road on your way out. Turn left onto Wai’anapanapa Road and follow the road down to the park entrance, where an attendant will check your reservation.

There are many things to explore in and around the Hana area, including Wai’anapanapa State Park and Black Sand Beach, the Hana Lava Tube, Kahanu Garden, Hana Bay, Hana-Maui Resort (formerly known as the Travaasa Hana), Hana Coast Gallery (located in the resort), Hana Ranch, and more.

The Hasegawa Store is a traditional Hawaii-style General Store and a great place to grab snacks, souvenirs, and supply items if you are planning on camping in Hana. Many food trucks in town offer several different options, but we highly suggest eating at Thai Food by Pranee and Braddah Huts BBQ.

If you are driving past Hana Town, plan on stopping by Koki Beach and Hamoa Beach. In between these two Hana beaches, you’ll find a roadside Huli Huli Chicken vendor that is amazing. Don’t forget to pick up some of their banana bread to go!

Since this beach is exposed to the open ocean, waves and currents can be strong, making it perfect for bodysurfing, boogie boarding, and surfing enthusiasts. Lounge in the shade or on the salt-and-pepper sand and let your worries melt away. While this spot can get crowded, you still have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the day.

Hamoa Beach is located 2.5 miles south of Hana. Turn left onto Haneoo Loop Rd. and drive past Koki Beach, where you’ll find parking in a small dirt lot. Take the stairs down to the shore.

While the falls are usually best in the morning when the sun is shining, it’s always worth a stop and short hike to stand in the waterfall mist and marvel in nature. Keep in mind that these falls lie on Honolewa Stream, not to be confused with Wailua Valley or Wailua Stream, two separate attractions.

Wailua Falls is located at Mile Marker 45 past the town of Hana. There is a parking lot adjacent to the bridge, where vendors are usually set up to sell souvenirs.

There is a fee to get into the park; however, the pass is good for three days and will also get you into the Haleakala Summit, so make sure to keep your receipt! Guests will enjoy the park facilities, including a large, paved parking lot, bathrooms, campground with picnic tables, and a Ranger Station with displays of interesting information. It’s a perfect spot on the road to Hana to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch.

The spectacular Pipiwai Trail is an incredible hike that starts across the street from the park entrance. The 1.8-mile trail leads through a magical bamboo forest and passes exceptional outlooks, streams, freshwater pools, and waterfalls, ending at the stunning 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) is indeed a special place to visit and will be a highlight of your Maui vacation.

Note: There is no swimming at this location.

While the road on the backside is partially unpaved, narrow, and, at times steep, thousands of people have done it successfully and it’s worth the drive! As green and lush as the Road to Hana has been until now is exactly how deserted and different it becomes on the backside, offering stunning views of deep valleys and long stretches of undeveloped land. Along this drive, you will pass the grave of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, the beautiful Alelele Falls, empty black sand and rock beaches, St. Joseph’s Church, Kaupo Gap, Pu’u Maneoneo petroglyphs and village ruins, and finally, Tedeschi Winery and the Ulupalakua Ranch Store, serving up local Maui wine and delicious elk burgers.

The backside of Haleakala begins after ‘Ohe’o Gulch and stretches until Ulupalakua, leading you through beautiful Upcountry Maui. If you wish to stop and take photos, make sure you pull over entirely off the road, so you don’t block traffic.