Jim is a writer at WINEtineraries.
What about 617 white knuckle turns, 56 one-lane bridges, steep drop-offs, and some of the world's most spectacular scenery in a distance of just 52 miles? The road to Hana is on Travel + Leisure's list of America's most scenic roads.
There are notes.
Although you can see a waterfall at this stop, I've included it because it's easy to get out and stretch your legs after driving about halfway to your destination.
The most photographed waterfall in Maui is called the Wailua Falls, but we drove right by it on our way to Hana. We passed by the unpaved parking area when there were no other cars there and before the vendors had set out their wares.
This was the spot where we would turn around for our drive. You may violate your rental car contract if you continue past here. The road is pock-marked with holes that can easily throw a car's suspension out of alignment, if not break an axle, even at the last mile or two. Drive slowly, bobbing and weaving.
The entrance fee is $30/vehicle if you have a senior pass. If you don't have a pass, save the receipt for your admission fee. You can visit the summit of Haleakala for free if you plan to stay for 3 days. The two trails are the main attractions here.
You can find this trail referred to as Ohe Gulch or the Seven Sacred Pools, which is a hotelier's idea of promoting tourism.
The cascade of shallow waterfall-fed pools is capped by one of the bridges on the road to Hana.
Swimming here can be dangerous. There are falls on wet rocks. It is foolish to jump or dive if you can't see what is underneath the water. It should have been obvious to you how remote this area is and how long it would take for emergency services to respond to an injury.
The trail follows the stream that feeds the pools below. At the end of the journey, you can see 2 waterfalls and a bamboo forest.
Pull out of the parking area and reset your trip odometer to zero. After 7.5 miles, look for a small white sign to Hamoa Beach. The road goes toward the ocean. After 0.4 miles, you will see a rock wall on your right and cars parked on the left side of the road. You can access the beach via the stairs at the far end of the rock wall. The most beautiful beach in the Pacific was called by James Michener.
This crescent-shaped beach with near- perfect sand has public restrooms and showers, as well as a foot-washing station at the base of the steps to minimize the sand you carry into your rental car!
A food truck that sells huli huli chicken is located in a large parking area on Haneo Road.
The goddess of the ocean and her sister battled at Koki Beach. The cinder cone hill is the source of the dark red sand here. Continue on Haneo Road, which loops back to Hana, and then turn right.
To get to the large parking area for the state park, take a right onto the road from the north. Non-resident visitors will have to purchase entrance and parking reservations online from April 19th, 2021.
The last 200 yards of the road are in rough shape. Carefully dodge the deep potholes and ruts. There is a black sand beach, freshwater caves, sea arches, and a small lava tube.
There is a foot washing station, walking trails, and picnic tables in the park. An additional permit is required for a popular camping area, which must be obtained in advance.
When a lava flow cools, it creates lava tubes that are exposed to the air. The side walls are built as lava continues to flow. The floor of the tube is formed as the flow slows.
Charles (Chuck) Thorne moved to Hana in 1988 and began hearing tales of a subterranean lava tube system nearby. It took him a few days to find the entrance hole on private property. He explored and mapped the lava tube over the next 8 years, but the owner never set foot in it.
Before he could offer his first tour, he had to prepare the lava tube for public use by hauling out more than 8 tons of cow bones and installing signs explaining the tube's unique formations.
The Hana Lava Tube is the largest lava tube on Maui and the 18th largest in the world. The tours take about 40 minutes. The entrance fee is a dollar.
The second best ice cream on the planet was served from this little shack, which was named the best vegan and organic ice cream in the world by Conde Nast. Original coconut, salted caramel, and lilikoi are always available, even though Glen rotates the dozen or so flavors to take full advantage of seasonal ingredients.
The International Society of arboriculture certified Alan Bradbury as Maui's first certified arborist. The opening sequence of the movie was filmed here. The Garden of Eden was open to the public for three years before that.
It's like walking through a rain forest when you follow the extensive network of nature trails. There are peacocks near the Art Gallery Gift Shop. There are picnic areas and overlooks that are closed to the public. Admission is $20.00 for 16 and up.
One of the hidden waterfalls can be rappeled down by the adventure-minded.
The drive to Hana began at Twin Falls. If you delay your departure in order to arrive before the gates open, you will not be able to see everything described in the report. We stopped here on our way back, and arrived here a little after the closing time.
There were a lot of cars in the parking lot. Follow the well-worn path until it splits to reach the viewing point. After leaving, the bear will walk along the shore of the stream back to the entrance.
You can relax in Paia town, go to the unique boutiques like Alice in Hulaland, and grab some pupus at one of the happy hours.
The Maui section of Travel To Hawaii for Free has more on visiting Maui using points and miles.
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