01-03-2025
Hana Highway Region
Hana Highway & Beyond
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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Hana Highway Region Sights, Tours, & Information
Things to Do & Tips for the Hana Highway on Maui
Hana Highway (northeast and parts of southeast Maui), ranges from Pa'ia town to the community of Hana (Haa-na) on the northeastern tip of the island and is renowned for great wind surfing, lush rural scenery, and, of course, the famous Road To Hana (Hana Hwy - 360) drive that curves along the coastline toward Hana town.
Known often as the windward side, it is largely undeveloped and much of the narrow Hana Highway winds along the island's beautiful northern coastline.
Hana Highway Top 5 Things to Do
Best Things to See & Do in East Maui
Wailua Falls
#5 Rated in East Maui
Just beyond mile marker 45 on the Hana Highway after it turns into Highway 31 you'll reach one of the most gorgeous falls in all of Hawai'i, Wailua Falls.
Wailua Falls gracefully cascades 80 feet through a lush setting in the surrounding vegetation just feet from the road. There is a short path to the base of the falls, but it can be tricky so use caution.
The water flow varies but is usually pretty at any rate throughout the year.
Waianapanapa State Park
#4 Rated in East Maui
Wai'anapanapa (Why-Ah-naa-paa-naa-paa) features sculpted lava rocks, a black sand beach, wind twisted foliage, a sea arch, lava caves, and tubes, and even a blowhole in the lava rocks near the shoreline.
The area around the park is also fascinating to hike through. There are a few wet caves and lava tubes with fresh water running through them.
More hiking is available to the southeast, where you could technically hike all the way to Hana town along the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail.
As of March 1, 2021, reservations (up to two weeks in advance) for all non-resident visitors and commercial vehicles will be required for entry to Maui’s Waianapanapa State Park. No same-day reservations will be accepted. Parking for out-of-state visitors will be $10.
Oheo Gulch at Kipahulu
#3 Rated in East Maui
The Oheo Gulch, technically part of Haleakala National Park, is located about 15 minutes past Hana town, near mile marker 42 on the Hana Highway (Road to Hana) after it turns into Hwy. 31.
The Oheo Gulch side, also known as the Kipahulu Area, and can be accessed via Hwy. 360, the Hana Highway or Road to Hana.
The Oheo Gulch region is home to lush green landscapes, trails, waterfalls, pools, and more - it's well worth a visit. Our favorite hike here is the Pipiwai Trail and we highly recommend it.
Hamoa Beach
#2 Rated in East Maui
Hamoa Beach is located about 2.5 miles outside of Hana town traveling south. The access road is located just south of a large cinder cone.
There is a small white sign pointing the way to the beaches along this section of the road. There are several beaches in the area, Hamoa being the safest and most beautiful.
Turn down the access road and follow it around until you reach the beaches about 1.5 miles down the road. There's a bus pull off on the seaward side of the road, the beach is just below the overlook.
Road to Hana
#1 Rated in East Maui
The scenic Road to Hana on Maui is the undisputed top attraction on the island. When it comes to driving the Hana Highway on Maui, it's the journey, not the destination, that is the main attraction.
There are few words that can describe the beauty of this drive with its cliffs cloaked in green and lush valleys bursting with waterfalls. Curves hug the coast and gaze over an ocean that stretches uninterrupted all the way to the Alaskan coastline.
Couple that with black, red, and white sand beaches, a multitude of trails, and beautiful gardens and you've discovered the highway to heaven itself.
All Hana Highway Attractions
Categorized by Type
Hana Highway Sights
Top Hana Highway Sights
- Road to Hana - #1 Best in Sights on Maui
- Oheo Gulch at Kipahulu - #3 Best in Sights on Maui
- Keanae Peninsula
- Waimoku Falls - #5 Best in Sights on Maui
- Garden of Eden Botanical Arboretum
- Wailua Falls - #6 Best in Sights on Maui
- Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail
- Waianapanapa State Park - #8 Best in Sights on Maui
- Kaumahina State Wayside Park
- Twin Falls
- Puaa Kaa State Wayside Park
- Honomanu Bay Lookout
- Wailua Valley Wayside Park
- Hana Highway Lookouts
- Ke'anae Arboretum
- Hana Town
- Pa'ia Town
- Kahanu Garden & Pi'ilanihale Heiau
Hana Highway Beaches
Top Hana Highway Beaches
- Hamoa Beach - #3 Best Beach on Maui
- Honokalani Black Sand Beach | Wai'anapanapa State Park - #4 Best Beach on Maui
- Keanae Peninsula
- Hana Bay & Beach
- Nu'u Bay
- H.A. Baldwin Park - #7 Best Beach on Maui
- Koki Beach
- Honomanu Bay Beach
- Ho'okipa Beach Park - #8 Best Beach on Maui
Hana Highway Hikes
Top Hana Highway Hikes
- Pipiwai Trail - #1 Best Hike on Maui
- Waianapanapa Coastal Trail
- Waikamoi Forest Ridge Trail - #4 Best Hike on Maui
- Kahakai Trail
- Kuloa Point Trail - #6 Best Hike on Maui
- Twin Falls - #7 Best Hike on Maui
- Waianapanapa State Park - #9 Best Hike on Maui
Additional Hana Highway Resources
Published by: John C. Derrick
Founder & certified Hawaii travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
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Hana Highway & East Maui
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