Once You Reach Hana

Review & FAQ:

• What is the easiest way to drive the road to Hana?
  • The easiest way to drive the road is to spend at least one night in Hana - that way you won't have to drive for the entire day.
  • If you do plan on doing the whole drive in one day than you should get an early start, particularly if you are starting out from West Maui (Kapalua, Napili, Lahaina).
• How long does the drive to Hana take?
  • The drive from Kahului (the Main Airport) to Hana takes about 3 and a half hours but the time goes by really fast.
• Where can you stop for lunch in Hana?
  • Once you reach Hana you can stop for lunch.
  • The Hana Ranch has a take-out window if you want to grab some food for a picnic in Haleakala National Park.
• How long does it take to reach Kipahulu Visitor Center from Hana?
  • From Hana, it will take another 45 minutes to reach the Kipahulu Visitor Center at Haleakala.
• What can you do at Haleakala National Park?
  • Once you reach the Park entrance, you can park and take a short walk to the Seven Sacred Pools.
• Where can you stop on the way back from Hana?
  • On the way back to your hotel you can stop at Hamoa Beach for a swim.
• Is there an alternative to driving the Hana Highway?
  • If driving for more than three hours one way is not really your idea of a fun vacation than you can fly over the highway and Haleakala National Park on a Helicopter Tour.
  • A helicopter tour is a great way to see Maui.
• What are the top driving tips for the Hana Highway?
  • It may sound really obvious but the drivers should keep their eyes on the road. Don't get distracted by the scenery, if you want a better look just pull your car over and take all the time you need.
  • When you do pull over make sure that other cars can still get around you safely. Again, it may sound obvious but we saw a couple park their car on a one lane bridge and get out to pose for a photograph.
  • The road gets really narrow in places and the locals (as well as some tourists) drive the highway very fast, so watch out on the sharp turns and single lane bridges.
  • Be considerate of the local people. You may be on vacation but they are trying to get to work so pull over and let them pass if you are driving slower than they are.
  • Last but not least, get good directions. There are plenty of road signs and the actual highway has almost no exits that aren't driveways but some people do manage to get lost. One couple we spoke with said the drive to Hana took them 18 hours. (Apparently they went the wrong way around the entire Island of Maui... not the best part of their vacation.) So just ask your hotel concierge for directions. Be sure to get a good road map when you rent your car, they're free.

Map:

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐