Hāna in East Maui
Hana is the northeastern most area on Maui on a very rugged coast. A peaceful town Hāna is one Hawaii's last unspoiled frontiers and the locals want to keep it that way.
Hana is often considered a road trip and can be accomplished in one or two days depending on how long you want to explore the many sights. The Road to Hana stretches just 52 miles from Kahului yet the trip can take 4 hours one way and features narrow one-lane bridges, hairpin turns, waterfalls and incredible island views Traffic can be stop and go and roads are extremely slippery when wet. I've seen cars that are inching along slip and head toward the cliff.
Visitors are asked to "Mālama ka ‘aina" (“ care for and protect the land”). Hawaiians, take loving, preserving, and protecting the land very seriously. It is the source of their living and they believe if they take care of it, it will take care of them. We ask you to be good caretakers of this precious land and encourage you to experience the road to Hāna through a permitted tour led by professional guides. Joining a tour eliminates a lot of stress and offers a more enjoyable experience. Guides provide valuable insights about the surrounding area and its cultural history and know when it is safe to hike to the waterfalls and when it is not..
What to do in Hana
As you enter Hana, the pastures extend right up Main Street to historic St Sophia's Church. Don't miss checking out the Hasegawa General Store and Hāna Ranch Store for unique souvenirs.
Swim and sunbathe at Hāna Beach Park or Hāmoa Beach (yes Michener fans "the most beautiful beach in the Pacific"). Don't miss the black sand beach at Waiʻānapanapa State Park (advanced reservations required. Or visit Hale Piʻilani, the state’s largest heiau (Hawaiian temple), in Kahanu Garden, one of five National Tropical Botanical Gardens in Hawaiʻi.
Continue on about 9 miles south of Hana to Kipahula. There you can find Charles Lindbergh's grave and the outskirts of Haleakalā National Park. Take the Pīpīwai Trail and you can hike to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls (check to see if it's open before you go)
More info on The Road to Hana and oother locations can be found here.
Where to Stay in Hāna
At this time we have no legal vacation rentals available in East Maui. Should you have a legal, permitted rental we would love to take a look and if appropriate, add it to our site. CONTACT US
The historic Hana-Maui Resort is a luxurious but expensive retreat. Dining options exist in town (restaurants) and on the way (road side stands). There are some legal bed and breakfast and vacation rentals here too. Be aware that Maui is serious about closing down illegal rentals so if you don't want to run the risk of finding the accommodation you rented padlocked, use due diligence. Many of the locals make their home here. In order to preserve Hawaiian culture, Hana has fought a long and good battle against overdevelopment. Please be considerate.