March 12th, 2007
Maui’s Road to Hana - 10 Great Sights!
A visit to Maui just wouldn’t be complete without seeing the top sights on the famous road that hugs the island’s northeast coastline.
A highway in name only, the famous road from Kahului to Hāna winds along the coastline for 56 miles, offering panoramic ocean views and passing by waterfalls, pools, lush gardens, and parks. The mostly two-lane road traverses 54 bridges and 617 curves (yes, someone really did count them!). Hāna itself has retained a pristine beauty and many old Hawaiian ways.
1. Honomanū Bay
There are no facilities here but it is a popular site with surfers and fishermen. Though the offshore currents are too strong for swimming, the scenery is absolutely terrific, with steep cliffs backing the bay, covered with an abundance of tropical foliage.
There are no facilities here but it is a popular site with surfers and fishermen. Though the offshore currents are too strong for swimming, the scenery is absolutely terrific, with steep cliffs backing the bay, covered with an abundance of tropical foliage.
2. Ke’anae Peninsula
The lush patchwork of taro fields is the enduring characteristic of the peninsula. Standing out against the greenery is Ke’anae Congregational Church. Built of lava rock and coral mortar, it was the only building left standing after a tsunami (tidal wave) hit in 1946.
The lush patchwork of taro fields is the enduring characteristic of the peninsula. Standing out against the greenery is Ke’anae Congregational Church. Built of lava rock and coral mortar, it was the only building left standing after a tsunami (tidal wave) hit in 1946.
3. Coral Miracle Church, Wailua
The church gets its name from a “miraculous” storm that, in 1860, pitched up the coral of the building’s construction on a nearby beach. Previously the rock had to be retrieved by hand from the ocean’s depths. A further miracle helpfully lapped up the leftover coral, clearing the beach again.
The church gets its name from a “miraculous” storm that, in 1860, pitched up the coral of the building’s construction on a nearby beach. Previously the rock had to be retrieved by hand from the ocean’s depths. A further miracle helpfully lapped up the leftover coral, clearing the beach again.
4. Kahanu Gardens
A branch of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the 472 acres of Kahanu Gardens encompass breadfruit trees, coconut palms, and a host of other Pacific Island plants. The gardens are not merely beautiful, for they focus on plants most culturally valued by Polynesians.
Phone - (808) 248-8912
Opening Times - Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission Charge - $10
A branch of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the 472 acres of Kahanu Gardens encompass breadfruit trees, coconut palms, and a host of other Pacific Island plants. The gardens are not merely beautiful, for they focus on plants most culturally valued by Polynesians.
Phone - (808) 248-8912
Opening Times - Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission Charge - $10
5. Pi’ilanihale Heiau
The largest and best-preserved heiau (religious site) in the state of Hawai’i, the 50-ft monument was built for (and possibly by) a 16th-century chief.
The largest and best-preserved heiau (religious site) in the state of Hawai’i, the 50-ft monument was built for (and possibly by) a 16th-century chief.
1. Honomanū Bay
There are no facilities here but it is a popular site with surfers and fishermen. Though the offshore currents are too strong for swimming, the scenery is absolutely terrific, with steep cliffs backing the bay, covered with an abundance of tropical foliage.
There are no facilities here but it is a popular site with surfers and fishermen. Though the offshore currents are too strong for swimming, the scenery is absolutely terrific, with steep cliffs backing the bay, covered with an abundance of tropical foliage.
2. Ke’anae Peninsula
The lush patchwork of taro fields is the enduring characteristic of the peninsula. Standing out against the greenery is Ke’anae Congregational Church. Built of lava rock and coral mortar, it was the only building left standing after a tsunami (tidal wave) hit in 1946.
The lush patchwork of taro fields is the enduring characteristic of the peninsula. Standing out against the greenery is Ke’anae Congregational Church. Built of lava rock and coral mortar, it was the only building left standing after a tsunami (tidal wave) hit in 1946.
3. Coral Miracle Church, Wailua
The church gets its name from a “miraculous” storm that, in 1860, pitched up the coral of the building’s construction on a nearby beach. Previously the rock had to be retrieved by hand from the ocean’s depths. A further miracle helpfully lapped up the leftover coral, clearing the beach again.
The church gets its name from a “miraculous” storm that, in 1860, pitched up the coral of the building’s construction on a nearby beach. Previously the rock had to be retrieved by hand from the ocean’s depths. A further miracle helpfully lapped up the leftover coral, clearing the beach again.
4. Kahanu Gardens
A branch of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the 472 acres of Kahanu Gardens encompass breadfruit trees, coconut palms, and a host of other Pacific Island plants. The gardens are not merely beautiful, for they focus on plants most culturally valued by Polynesians.
Phone - (808) 248-8912
Opening Times - Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission Charge - $10
A branch of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, the 472 acres of Kahanu Gardens encompass breadfruit trees, coconut palms, and a host of other Pacific Island plants. The gardens are not merely beautiful, for they focus on plants most culturally valued by Polynesians.
Phone - (808) 248-8912
Opening Times - Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Admission Charge - $10
5. Pi’ilanihale Heiau
The largest and best-preserved heiau (religious site) in the state of Hawai’i, the 50-ft monument was built for (and possibly by) a 16th-century chief.
The largest and best-preserved heiau (religious site) in the state of Hawai’i, the 50-ft monument was built for (and possibly by) a 16th-century chief.
6. Ka’eleku Cave
This is the only cave on Maui open to the public, though, like all other “caves” in Hawai’i, it is actually a lava tube. Dark and cool, there are stalactites and stalagmites as you might encounter in other caves, only here they are formed of lava.
This is the only cave on Maui open to the public, though, like all other “caves” in Hawai’i, it is actually a lava tube. Dark and cool, there are stalactites and stalagmites as you might encounter in other caves, only here they are formed of lava.
7. Pa’iloa Beach
Located within Wai’ānapanapa State Park, this pitch-black sand beach was formed by ancient volcanic action and is quite spectacular. Pa’iloa is surrounded by lava pinnacles, and the area is great for walks.
Located within Wai’ānapanapa State Park, this pitch-black sand beach was formed by ancient volcanic action and is quite spectacular. Pa’iloa is surrounded by lava pinnacles, and the area is great for walks.
8. Kau’iki Hill
Steeped in history and crowned with mist, this volcanic point was a valued defensive site in Hawai’i’s warring past. Said to be the home of the demigod Māui, a small, red sand beach and a lighthouse now mark this prominent point on Hāna Bay.
Steeped in history and crowned with mist, this volcanic point was a valued defensive site in Hawai’i’s warring past. Said to be the home of the demigod Māui, a small, red sand beach and a lighthouse now mark this prominent point on Hāna Bay.
9. Hāna Cultural Center
The cultural center houses, through artifacts, books, and photographs, the history of Hāna’s people. The culture is palpably infused within the quilts, cooking utensils, instruments, fish hooks, coconut graters, stone lamps, and gourd bowls.
The cultural center houses, through artifacts, books, and photographs, the history of Hāna’s people. The culture is palpably infused within the quilts, cooking utensils, instruments, fish hooks, coconut graters, stone lamps, and gourd bowls.
10. Hasegawa General Store
A famous landmark in this part of the world, the store was established almost 100 years ago. Selling life’s necessities, from groceries to fishing gear, its organic dried fruit, coffee, and macadamia nuts are all grown close by.
A famous landmark in this part of the world, the store was established almost 100 years ago. Selling life’s necessities, from groceries to fishing gear, its organic dried fruit, coffee, and macadamia nuts are all grown close by.
Hāna’s Past: In precontact times, Hāna was a large settlement and the birthplace of Queen Ka’ahumanu. Before the Hāna Highway was completed in 1927 only a horse trail connected this end of the island to the rest. Sugar cane plantations were converted to a cattle ranch in 1946. Shortly after that, the area’s only hotel, the Hāna-Maui, was built.
Address - Hāna Cultural Center
Opening Times - 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Admission Charge - $2 donation
Name - Hasegawa General Store
Address - Hāna
Phone - (808) 248-8231
Opening Times - 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Address - Maui Visitors Bureau
Phone - (808) 244-3530
Address - Hāna Cultural Center
Opening Times - 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Admission Charge - $2 donation
Name - Hasegawa General Store
Address - Hāna
Phone - (808) 248-8231
Opening Times - 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily
Address - Maui Visitors Bureau
Phone - (808) 244-3530