Top 15 Places to Stop
on the Road To Hana

Without a doubt, Ho’okipa is one of the most legendary beaches in Hawaii. It is recognized around the world because it’s one of the most popular beaches on the planet for watersports – surfing, windsurfing, kiteboarding, paddling and more.

Here, you’ll find a beach cove with many surf breaks and places to chill out under Maui’s glorious sunshine. The beach park offers more than just beauty and cool aloha vibes. It’s also outfitted with BBQs, three pavilions, public restrooms, showers, and two lifeguard towers.

Ho’okipa is like the backyard for many local Maui families. A few tips that would benefit visitors of Ho’okipa would be to drive slowly through the parking lot, greet locals with respect and smiles, and pay particular care of your carbon footprint. Like any beach in Hawaii!

As of late, Ho’okipa has gained in popularity due to the migration of the Hawaiian green sea turtles. On any day, the turtles rest in abundance, and when we say rest, that’s what we mean. If you visit Ho’okipa Beach to see Maui’s turtles, keep at least 10 feet distance, absolutely do not touch, harass or bother these amazing marine creatures.
Ho’okipa Beach has a beautiful community of families, water sports athletes and more. It is worth a visit at any time of the day.

Take a refreshing dip in the waterfall(s) of your choice and get ready for many more to come! If you’d like to make this a longer stop, daily tours of Wailele Farm are also available.

Twin Falls is located at Mile Marker #2 along the Road to Hana. You will see the Twin Falls Farm Stand on your right, and parking is available in the large dirt parking lot or the second lot just over the bridge.

Guests can take a breather and try delicious fruit smoothies, acai bowls or fresh coconut. All smoothies are made with freshly squeezed sugar cane juice and tropical fruits grown on Maui. Our favorite smoothies are the Sugar Mama (papaya, pineapple, and coconut), and the Sweet Dream (banana and chocolate. The Hana Highway Potion (papaya and ginger) and the Cure Smoothie (coconut water and fruit, papaya, honey, and ginger) and two great options for those that may feel a bit of motion sickness from Hana highway’s many curves.
They also offer a rotating selection of fresh fruit, Maui snacks and our favorite coconut candy.

The grounds are impeccably maintained and have even been recognized by the State of Hawaii for proper land use management and conservation practices.
The grounds feature over 700 labeled herbaceous species, and some were even donated by George Harrison of the Beatles. There are 2.5 miles of walking trails decorated by rich tropical varieties – flowers, plants, trees and more.
The Maui Garden of Eden property also offers rare waterfall views from a distance, a Garden Cafe and a fantastic art gallery full of locally made gifts and Maui souvenirs. There is a fee to enter the Maui Garden of Eden.

There’s a paved walkway with about a half-mile walk through over 150 varieties of tropical plants; hibiscus, papaya, taro, ginger varieties, native and non-native Hawaiian trees, and more.
To access the Keanae Peninsula, there is a road on the makai (left/ocean) side of the road just past mile marker 16. Keanae is a traditional Hawaiian Village that’s known for its taro fields. While driving down the road, you will see a historic stone church that was built in 1856.
Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase smoothies, Maui snacks and tasty coconut candy at a stand near the Keanae Congregational Church.

Please note: there is no swimming at this location.

Whether you come to enjoy views of seemingly endless ocean or rolling clouds over the valleys of Haleakala Volcano, the Wailua Valley State Wayside is a can’t miss.

Wailua Valley State Wayside is located a little over half a mile past Mile Marker #18 along the Road to Hana. Parking is available in the small dirt lot to your right.

Pua’a Ka’a Falls in itself is perhaps a 15-20 foot waterfall. This is a great and quick waterfall hike to choose for those that may be traveling in a large group or with kids. The hike is short, but with great rewards. Here is a great place to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. It’s a peaceful spot, and definitely alludes the tranquility of Hawaii.

Besides being a popular area for locals and visitors, look forward to seeing many feral cats here! As any other waterfall, avoid swimming if it looks murky and muddy, and consider bringing some non-toxic mosquito spray if you’re prone to bites from the little buggahs.

There are two narrow pull-offs on each side of the bridge, so be careful to safely and fully pull out from the Hana Highway roadway. This is a great spot to capture some souvenir photography and capture a beautiful Maui waterfall memory.
Pending conditions and the time of the year, thrill seekers can hike down into the pool for a quick and refreshing swim.
Historically, this area is very rich in Hawaiian agriculture history. In 1905, the Nahiku Rubber Company planted over 25,000 Rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in this area. Although the Nahiku Rubber Company is no longer in business, this is a unique point of interest in the Hanawi locale.

Hanawi Falls extends all the way to the Nahiku area, marked by the Nahiku Marketplace.

Here, you can pick up some Maui made souvenirs, find ice cold coconuts, coffee drinks, smoothies, yummy coconut candy, Thai food, coconut shrimp, tacos, refreshing sorbets, shave ice and more.
FYI. There aren’t public restrooms here, but there are a few porta potties.

Many Maui travel guides may suggest that you drive down Nahiku Road, but it is something we discourage to respect the residents in this area. The drive down is windy and quite time consuming, so it’s best to continue on the Road to Hana towards your next destination. Hana Town is only 6 miles past the Nahiku Marketplace.

The turquoise water against the black sand and bright green plant life is truly gorgeous, and while most visitors only stop to snap a few photos and move on, we highly recommend taking a little longer to explore this park fully. Take a dip in the refreshing freshwater cave, stand inside of the lava tube and watch the locals cliff dive from jagged islets. Park entrance is free for visitors, and camp sites and cabins are available with advance notice for visitors who wish to stay longer with friends and family.

Wai’anapanapa State Park is located at Mile Marker #32 along the Road to Hana. Turn left onto Wai’anapanapa Road and public parking is available in the lot.

There are many things to explore in and around the Hana area including Waianapanapa State Park and Black Sand Beach, Hana Bay, Travaasa Hana Hotel, Hana Coast Gallery, the Hana Cultural Museum, Hana Ranch and more.
The Hasegawa Store is a traditional Hawaii-style General Store and a great place to grab snacks, souvenirs, and supply items if you are planning on camping in Hana. The Hana Ranch Store is Hawaii famous for their Chili Rice Bowls, and we highly suggest eating at Thai Food by Pranee and Braddah Huts BBQ.

If you are driving past Hana Town, we suggest that you visit Koki Beach and Hamoa Beach. In between these two Hana beaches, you’ll find a roadside Huli Huli Chicken vendor that is amazing. Don’t forget to pick up some of their banana bread to-go!

Since this beach is exposed to open ocean, waves and currents can be strong, making it perfect for bodysurfing, boogie boarding and surfing enthusiasts. Lounge in the shade or on the salt-and-pepper sand and let your worries melt away. While this spot can get crowded, you still have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the day.

Homoa Beach is located 2.5 miles south of Hana. Turn left onto Haneoo Loop Rd. and drive past Koki Beach, where you’ll find parking in a small dirt lot. Take the stairs down to the shore.

While the falls are usually best in the morning when the sun is shining, it’s definitely worth a stop and short hike to stand in waterfall mist and marvel in nature. Keep in mind that these falls lie on Honolewa Stream, not to be confused with Wailua Valley or Wailua Stream, two separate attractions.

Wailua Falls is located at Mile Marker #45 past the town of Hana. There is a parking lot adjacent to the bridge, where vendors are usually set up to sell souvenirs.

There is a fee to get into the Park; however, the pass is good for three days and will also get you into the Haleakala Summit. So make sure to keep your receipt! Guests will enjoy the park facilities that include a large paved parking lot, bathrooms, campground with picnic tables, and a Ranger Station that has displays with interesting information. It’s a perfect spot on the road to Hana to stop and enjoy a picnic lunch.

The spectacular Pipiwai Trail is an incredible hike that starts across the street from the park entrance. The trail leads through a magical bamboo forest and passes exceptional outlooks, streams, freshwater pools, and waterfalls. Ending at the stunning 400-foot Waimoku Falls, this is a great place to take a swim. Ohe’o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) is indeed a special place to visit and will be a highlight of your Maui vacation.

While the road on the backside is partially unpaved, narrow and, at times, steep, thousands of people have done it successfully and it’s totally worth the drive! As green and lush as the Road to Hana has been up until now is exactly how deserted and different it becomes on the backside, offering stunning views of deep valleys and long stretches of undeveloped land. Along this drive you will pass the grave of famous aviator Charles Lindbergh, the beautiful Alelele Falls, empty black sand and rock beaches, Kaupo Store, St. Joseph’s Church, Kaupo Gap, Pu’u Maneoneo petroglyphs and village ruins, and finally, Tedeschi Winery and the Ulupalakua Ranch Store, serving up local Maui wine and delicious elk burgers.

The backside of Haleakala begins after ‘Ohe’o Gulch and stretches until Ulupalakua, leading you through beautiful Upcountry Maui. If you wish to stop and take photos, make sure you pull over in an area entirely off the road so you don’t block traffic.