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The road to Hana (formally known as the Hana Highway) is a 64.4-mile-long stretch that takes you from Kahului to Hana in about three hours one way. This great road has a deep-rooted history in Maui and is an excursion for foreigners often. It’s probably one of Maui’s most famous attractions, and for a good reason. The highway is dope, and you should check it out if you’re traveling to Maui this season. It has multiple stops, including ten epic waterfalls that are amazing! This is the best thing to do if you’re traveling with a family or solo since it doesn’t take much to do.
You’ll see gardens, waterfalls, colored (red and black) sand beaches, and tons more. It’s the type of thing you see in corny commercials about visiting Hawaii, and it’s something you should do really soon. All you need is a car (preferably a convertible or one with a sunroof), cash, hiking shoes, and some sunnies. Be warned that the road is winding with tons of curves and can lead to nausea if you’re unprepared.
Check out this scenic highway in Hawaii that has ten epic waterfalls:
How To Prepare
The road to Hana isn’t tricky, but you should prepare before starting. First, you must get a car (try and get a Jeep Wrangler with a detachable roof), free-flowing cash, bug spray, and a map. Wireless service isn’t guaranteed, so have something you can reference if your phone is down. Another handy preparation tool is anti-nausea medicine. We don’t know about you, but taking curves on one-way streets can make us want to barf here and there. It’s great to bring cash since many stops are cash-only and require an entrance fee. Expect to pay between 10 and 30 dollars at each entrance. We strongly suggest you carve out more than one day for this. One way on the road takes about three hours without stopping, and you’ll be making stops a lot. Also, be prepared to hike, and many places require reservations in advance, so check out their sites at least 24 hours before visiting.
What To See
The highway starts in Kahului and ends in Hana, with mile markers letting you know where you are. It’s a great way to plan your visit and know which place you want to see first and last. If you’re planning on only visiting the waterfalls (we suggest seeing more), then check out this quick list of which mile markers are each waterfall:
@wolvesandwaterfalls There are more than 10 waterfalls on this road 🤩 #roadtohana #hawaiitiktok #hawaii #mauihawaii #bucketlisttravel #maui #roadtrips #adventuretravel ♬ Island In The Sun – Weezer
Mile Marker 2: Twin Falls
Mile Marker 10: Waikamoi Falls & Lower Puohokamoa Falls
Mile Marker 11: Upper Puohokamoa Falls & Haipua’ena Falls
Mile Marker 16: Ching’s Pond & Falls
Mile Marker 22: Pua’a Ka’a Falls
Mile Marker 24: Upper Hanawi Falls
Mile Marker 25: Makapipi Falls
Mile Marker 42: Oheo Gulch Pools & Falls, Makahiku Falls, & Waimoku Falls
Mile Marker 45: Paihi Falls & Wailua Falls
Mile Marker 46: Ala’alaula Falls
There are other things you should check out, like Waiʻānapana State Park (Mile Marker 32), where you can find a black sand beach and other fun stuff like a lava tube and sea caves perfect for Instagram or TikTok. Kaihalulu Beach (Mile Marker 50) is another superb stop that has red sand. It’s rare for a beach to have natural red sand (caused by lava rock being grounded down to sand), so checking it out is a must-do. Located on mile marker 42 is the ‘Ohe’o Gulch, aka “Seven Sacred Pools,” and Pipiwai Trail. It’s big enough to take up your entire day but worth it.
Here you’ll find a bamboo forest, seven sacred natural pools formed out of rocks, and an epic waterfall that is a must-see. The bamboo forest is unique because walking through it, you hear the bamboo hitting each other, creating an exciting sound. The seven sacred natural pools are massive and a sight to see, and the 400 feet tall Waimoku Falls could be the most unique waterfall you’ll see on your trip.
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