A legendary 64-mile scenic highway from Kahului to Hana with 620 curves, 59 bridges, and access to waterfalls, bamboo forests, black sand beaches, and rainforest. One of America's most dramatic drives.
The Road to Hana on the island of Maui is a 64-mile scenic highway running northeast along the Hana Highway (Highway 360) from Kahului to the remote town of Hana, threading through some of the most lush and biologically diverse tropical terrain in the Hawaiian Islands. The drive is defined by its physical character — 620 curves and 59 one-lane bridges spanning cascading streams — and by the density of natural and cultural sites accessible directly from the roadside. Waterfalls drop from cliff faces directly above the highway. Roadside stands sell banana bread, fresh coconuts, and tropical fruit grown on the surrounding slopes. The first major stop is Twin Falls near mile marker 2, where a short walk through tropical growth reaches two accessible waterfalls with swimming pools. Further along, the Garden of Eden Arboretum offers organized access to native Hawaiian plants and coastal viewpoints. Wai'anapanapa State Park, approximately 3 miles before Hana, holds one of the most dramatic landscapes on Maui: a black sand beach where wave-crushed basalt lava creates jet-black sand meeting vivid turquoise water, framed by sea arches and coastal lava rock trails. Day-use reservations for Wai'anapanapa are required through gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Beyond Hana, the Kipahulu section of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park offers the Pipiwai Trail, a 4-mile round-trip hike through a cathedral stand of towering bamboo to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls — widely considered one of Maui's finest hikes. The 'Ohe'o Gulch tiered pools at Kipahulu provide another popular stop. Most visitors return via the same highway. Completing a loop via the unpaved southern Pi'ilani Highway (Highway 31) past Kipahulu is possible but may void rental car insurance — rental agreements should be verified before attempting the loop. A full day of 10 to 12 hours is recommended for the complete experience, departing Kahului by 7 AM.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daylight hours; some areas sunrise to sunset
- Best time
- Early start (depart Kahului by 7 AM)
Location
Hana Hwy, Maui, HI 96713
20.7554, -155.9901 View on map
Highlights
- Twin Falls
- Wai'anapanapa Black Sand Beach
- Bamboo Forest
- Pipiwai Trail to Waimoku Falls
Tips for visiting
- Depart Kahului by 7 AM to avoid bottlenecks at one-lane bridges and reach popular stops before midday crowds.
- Pre-book Wai'anapanapa State Park permits online at gostateparks.hawaii.gov — capacity is limited and day-use fees apply.
- Fill the gas tank before leaving Kahului; gas stations along the route are rare and significantly more expensive.
- Drive the route one way only if possible — completing the southern loop via Highway 31 may void rental car coverage.
- Bring cash for roadside fruit stands and smaller waterfall entry points that do not accept cards.
- Allow unscheduled stops — the best waterfall pools require short hikes off the road and exploration rewards those without a rigid itinerary.
When to visit
Depart early (by 7 AM) to reach key stops before midday congestion at one-lane bridges and popular pull-outs. Weekday drives are significantly less crowded than weekends. Avoid returning after dark — the road is narrow and has no street lighting.
Accessibility
The Hana Highway itself is navigable by any standard vehicle. Wai'anapanapa State Park has a paved path toward the black sand beach but is not fully wheelchair accessible. Most waterfall sites require short walks on unpaved paths not suitable for wheelchairs or mobility aids. The Garden of Eden Arboretum has partly paved paths.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does the Road to Hana drive take?
The drive one way from Kahului to Hana without stops takes about 2 hours. With stops at Twin Falls, Garden of Eden, Wai'anapanapa, and the Pipiwai Trail, a full day of 10 to 12 hours is typical.
Is the Road to Hana suitable for families with children?
Yes — roadside waterfalls and the black sand beach at Wai'anapanapa are exciting for children. The Pipiwai Trail through the bamboo forest is popular with older children. Very young children may find the long driving day tiring.
Can the Road to Hana be driven as a loop?
Technically yes, by continuing south through Kipahulu on Highway 31 to complete a circuit. However, this unpaved road section may void rental car insurance — drivers should verify their rental agreement before attempting the loop.