Located on the southeast side of Maui, Hana is a favorite spot on the island, and getting there is half the fun.
You can fly in, but many prefer the 50-mi/75-km drive along the Hana Highway. To call this a winding road is an understatement: There are 670 hairpin turns and 56 one-lane bridges along the way. Motion-sickness medication and/or frequent stops might be necessary for some travelers. The highway cuts through the lushest foliage on Maui and passes roadside waterfalls, beaches and dramatic coastal scenery. Pack a lunch and allow a whole day to drive there and back.
Be sure to stop at the Keanae Garden—many of the island's eye-boggling plants can be seen in natural settings along the park's trails. One of the most startling specimens is impossible to miss: The huge rainbow eucalyptus has a vibrant, multihued bark that makes it look like an elongated painter's palette. Be sure to take the side road down to Keanae itself to see terraced taro patches framed by a backdrop of waves crashing against volcanic formations along the coast.
Another recommended stop is Wai'anapanapa State Park, where you can visit eerie reflecting caves and a black-sand beach. (At low tide, look for an opening in the rocks to the right side of the beach—it tunnels out to a cave facing the open sea.) There's a coastal hiking trail that leads from the park to the town of Hana.
Although more people are visiting Hana than in the past, it's still fairly sleepy and less crowded than Maui's other tourist areas—a good place to relax and soak up the Hawaiian lifestyle. In the town of Hana, you'll see cottages with beautiful flower-filled gardens. Many visitors also make a stop at the Hotel Hana-Maui for lunch—it's the only resort in town.
Although it's possible to make a one-day round-trip between the western Maui resort areas and Kipahulu, you won't have enough time to enjoy all of the sights. At least a one-night stay in the Hana area is recommended so you can really explore this part of Maui. The number of hotels available in Hana and along this coast is limited, however. Bed-and-breakfast establishments have become more common, but they can be busy. Book well ahead.
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