Road to Hana Stops

The Road to Hana is a popular destination for Maui visitors. With over 400,000 annual tourists traversing this popular roadway, you may think there are no hidden gems or unexplored sights, but you’d be wrong. Here are five “Must See” stops on the Hana Highway.

The Rainbow Eucalyptus Grove

Road to Hana Stop

Road to Hana Stops

Your first “Must See” is located at Mile Marker 7 on the Road to Hana. With no attached parking and nothing indicated on tourist maps, most will drive past the grove.

The grove only receives a handful of visitors daily despite being the largest and most accessible Eucalyptus grove on Maui.

Often referred to as rainbow gum trees, the multi-colored bark of these trees leave many awestruck. Pink, orange, yellow, and purple streaked barks abound throughout the grove. The myriad of colors is more akin to an impressionist painting than a grove of trees.

Banana Bread Stand (Halfway to Hana)

Road to Hana Stop

Road to Hana Stops

Halfway through our list and we’re halfway down the Road to Hana. Mile marker 17 brings us to the aptly titled Halfway to Hana Banana Bread Stand. Sure there are a lot of places to stop and eat along the “long road” but there’s only one Halfway to Hana.

Freshly made and wrapped up neatly for travel, you’ll enjoy some of the tastiest banana bread on Maui. If your appetite’s more robust, they sell sandwiches, hot dogs, shaved ice, and even ice cream. There’s also an ATM, which will come in handy since most of the stands along the Road to Hana are cash only.

Hana Lava Tube

Road to Hana Stop

Road to Hana Stops

About a half mile from Mile Marker 31, you’ll find another geological wonder. Kaeleku Cave or the Hana Lava Tube is about a quarter mile, self guided tour of an underground cave formed about 30,000 years ago. It’s an underground cave and you’ll be provided with powerful flashlights, but photo opportunities are lessened from the inky darkness.

The lava tube has stalactites, stalagmites, fissures, and chockstone. The owner has installed handrails and a couple of skylights offer chances to photograph green plants and ferns near the skylights entrance.

Keep an eye out for leftover cow bones too. Once used by a slaughterhouse for dumping cows remains, the current owner removed over 17,000 pounds of cow’s bones before opening the cave to the public.

Allow yourself at least 30 minutes to navigate the lava tube and after you’ve finished, enjoy the picnic area or the Red Ti Botanical Garden Maze. Current entrance fee is $12 for adults and children under 5 are free. Your entrance fee does include the flashlights needed for the tour. The Hana Lava Tube are open daily from 10:30 a.m to 4 p.m.

Wai’anapanapa State Park

Road to Hana Stop

Road to Hana Stops

Black sand, turquoise water, and green vegetation await you at Mile Marker 32 on the Road to Hana.

Walk down and dip in the water or hike up “the point” for a bird’s eye view. Either way, you win. Bask in the sun on big black rocks or check out some of the caves of this hidden cove. You’ll find more memories than the black sand beach urging you to return.

It’s an incredibly popular destination, so we recommend getting there before noon.

Wailua Falls

wailua falls

Road to Hana Stops

Mile Marker 45 is home to arguably the most beautiful stop on the Road to Hana, Wailua Falls. It’s ease of access is great because you don’t have to exit your vehicle, though you probably will.

A cascading 80 foot drop to the pool below offers some of the best pictures in Maui. Even with so many waterfalls in your rearview mirror by this point, you’ll still be stunned by one of, if not, the most photographed waterfalls on the Road to Hana.

If you take a dip in the pool below, be sure to pick up a few souvenirs from the local vendors as you head back to your vehicle.

There you have it, five “Must See” destinations along the Road to Hana. For the latest information and guided tours, click here:

Recently awarded “Hawaii’s Most Unique Tour for 2022!” click here to view full article