Doing the Road to Hana is one of Maui’s most popular tourist attractions, but it’s not for the faint at heart. This 52-mile stretch of road is full of twists, turns, and one lane bridges, but the scenery is breathtaking. It’s definitely worth doing if you can fit it into your vacation schedule.
In this blog, our resident Hawaii Specialist – Rebecca, (who also lived on Maui) talks about some important tips for making the most of your road to Hana experience. If you book a trip to Maui with Wanderland Escapes, Rebecca will give you all of these tips and so much more information to help make sure you don’t miss anything.
Preparing Yourself for the Trip
There are many things to consider when you’re planning on doing the Road to Hana. The drive itself takes about 3-4 hours, but it’s recommended to make it an all day trip. That way you can take your time and see all of the sights. You definitely don’t want to try to rush this experience and you don’t want to have any other plans for this day.
Backside of Road to Hana
What to Pack
Since you’ll be spending a lot of time away from your hotel and you’ll be in very remote areas, it’s important to pack a lunch as well as snacks and drinks for the journey. There are some food vendors along the way, but there’s no guarantee that any of them will be open on any given day. It’s better to be prepared than to end up hungry or thirsty and there’s no where to get anything.
If you’re staying in a condo, they often have coolers you can bring with you. If you’re staying at a hotel and you’re planning on doing this trip, pack a soft sided cooler in your luggage. That way you can keep your food and drinks cold.
You also don’t want to forget your swimsuit and a towel if you plan to swim at any of the beaches or waterfalls. There are also several hiking trails along the way, so pack your hiking shoes!
Upper Waikani Falls
Start the Trip Early
Before you head out on the road, you’ll need to make sure you fill up your gas tank. Don’t skip this step! There are no gas stations once you are out there, and you don’t want to end up stranded. If you get car sick, it would also be best to either be the driver, or be prepared with whatever it is you need to take to combat this.
It is also recommended that you start this journey first thing in the morning after you’ve had breakfast. By leaving first thing in the morning, and with a full belly, you’ll be ready to adventure – And you’ll also get ahead of most everyone else.
Take Your Time
It’s not as much about arriving in Hana as it is about the journey itself. The road can be very narrow and windy, so take your time and drive slowly. Part of the appeal of doing the road to Hana is that it forces you to slow down and appreciate all that Maui has to offer. Don’t hesitate to pull over if something catches your eye. Just be mindful of any no parking signs, locals trying to get past you, and other people trying to enjoy the drive.
The drive takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, and there are plenty of opportunities to stop and explore.
Highlights
There are so many amazing things to see along the road to Hana that it’s hard to know where to start. That is where having a certified Hawaii Destination Specialist helping you is key. Rebecca holds this certification and she also used to live on Maui. She is your expert when it comes to prepping yourself for doing the road to Hana. Some parks also require reservations, and she can help you navigate that step.
Seven Sacred Pools
Some of Rebecca’s favorite highlights include the Upper Waikani falls, Waianapanapa State Beach park, the Seven Sacred Pools and hiking through the bamboo forest. There’s something beautiful around every turn, and something for everyone to enjoy. Including lava tube tours, banana bread stands, the Garden of Eden, the town of Hana, and so much more!
Things to Remember
The Road to Hana contains sacred sites, beautiful jungles, rushing waterfalls, and cell phone dead spots. Be prepared for slow driving and little reception. Be respectful of native plants and animals, locals trying to go past you to get home, and never intentionally damage or disrespect indigenous sites and landmarks. You are a guest here and should demonstrate reverence and respect to those who live and thrive here.
Many of the sites are also on private property, and some land owners allow people to visit on their property, and some do not. Please respect any posted signage. And as always, if you pack it in, be sure you’re packing it out.
Waianapanapa State Park (Black sand beach)
An Unforgettable Experience
Doing the road to Hana is an unforgettable experience that anyone visiting Maui should try to fit into their vacation schedule. However, it’s not something you can really just wing it. Doing that can cause you to miss out on important details on how to be prepared, and what there is to see along they way. Many of the sites can be are hard to find without someone who knows the area pointing it out to you.
When you book your trip to Maui with Wanderland Escapes, we give you very detailed instructions on how to do it on your own successfully. These instructions help you have all of the information needed to make this an amazing experience. We also point out all of the stops to see along the way to help you create memories that will last a lifetime.
Even if you have already booked your trip to Maui, we can still help you with all of the sights and things to do for a small fee. We also have a partnership with Shaka Guide that guides you on how to do the road to Hana on your own as well. Contact us today to get the best personalized help you can get for this amazing experience.
