Overview
Located at the extreme southeast of the island of Maui, the city of Hana is like another island. Travel to or from the region of Hana to any other major population center takes several hours by car. Fewer tourists lodge here than in other Maui locales, and in the morning it is quiet and peaceful. Attracted by the popularized Road to Hana, day-trippers begin to flood in by midday. Although the harbor is too small for cruise ships to dock, some cruise passengers arrive by launch.
2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hana
Ohe'o Gulch
Southwest from Hana, but still accessible from the paved portion of the highway. A noncontinuous part of Haleakala National Park. A trail leads toward the ocean from the parking lot to large sunny pools with small falls …
Waianapanapa State Beach
A black sand beach that can be accessed from the Road to Hana several miles northwest of Hana. The beach faces a deep cove and is surrounded with lush vegetation. There is no swimming because of dangerous currents and da…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jan, May–Jun, Sep. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 64°F. Wettest: Nov and Mar. (climate data from nearby Hilo)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- HNM Hana Airport, Hana — 3 mi away. Directions
- OGG Kahului International Airport, Kahului — 30 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Road to Hana is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It follows the northeast coastline through lush rainforest. Budget three hours for the drive southeast from Kahului to Hana. Sharp curves, a 15 mph speed limit, and heavy traffic make the approximately 40 mile distance take longer than travelers expect for a highway. Going early in the morning can avoid much of the traffic. Several miles southwest beyond Hana, the road becomes single-lane dirt. The rental car companies may tell you not to take your car here, but the road isn't too bad. However, it can be very bumpy, requiring normal cars to slow to 5 mph or less in some sections. It passes through farmlands and the empty, desert-like southern coast of the island. There are soaring views of volcanic cliffs and, in clear weather, the Big Island on the distant horizon. The area is very beautiful but remote, and there are no services.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Ohe'o Gulch
- Lunch Hasegawa General Store
- Afternoon Waianapanapa State Beach
- Dinner Huli Huli Chicken
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Hana is also a different island in terms of climate. Whereas most of the resorts of Maui are placed for sun-lovers in areas that get the least rainfall, Hana faces the easterly trade winds, which bring moisture from the sea. It is surrounded by rainforest and has more lush and green vegetation than other parts of the island.
Get in
The Road to Hana is one of the most beautiful drives in the world. It follows the northeast coastline through lush rainforest. Budget three hours for the drive southeast from Kahului to Hana. Sharp curves, a 15 mph speed limit, and heavy traffic make the approximately 40 mile distance take longer than travelers expect for a highway. Going early in the morning can avoid much of the traffic. Several miles southwest beyond Hana, the road becomes single-lane dirt. The rental car companies may tell you not to take your car here, but the road isn't too bad. However, it can be very bumpy, requiring normal cars to slow to 5 mph or less in some sections. It passes through farmlands and the empty, desert-like southern coast of the island. There are soaring views of volcanic cliffs and, in clear weather, the Big Island on the distant horizon. The area is very beautiful but remote, and there are no services.
Get around
You can get around by car.
See
The many volcanoes in the area.
Do
Learn the Hawaiian language as this is the most commonly spoken language.
Do Ohe'o Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
Southwest from Hana, but still accessible from the paved portion of the highway. A noncontinuous part of Haleakala National Park. A trail leads toward the ocean from the parking lot to large sunny pools with small falls cascading between them. These are the most accessible but also the most crowded. Another trail uphill crosses the highway. After a short hike, you can reach pools shaded by rainforest trees. Some can be reached with a little bit of rock scrambling. The trail continues to a high waterfall.
Do Waianapanapa State Beach
A black sand beach that can be accessed from the Road to Hana several miles northwest of Hana. The beach faces a deep cove and is surrounded with lush vegetation. There is no swimming because of dangerous currents and dangerous jellyfish.
Buy
There are not a lot of shops in the north/south part but there are 56 in the east/west area.
Eat
Eat Hasegawa General Store
Great little general store with all the basics.
Eat Huli Huli Chicken
Excellent chicken and view.
Sleep
There are more motels than hotels in Hana.
Several other smaller hotels are more affordable.
Stay Lilikoi Jungle Cottage
Great jungle cottage located centrally to explore the road to Hana & much of the rest of Maui.
Nearby
Haleakalā National Park
Park · 11 listings · 12 mi away
Makawao
City / town · 6 listings · 22 mi away
Haiku
City / town · 2 listings · 24 mi away
Paia
City / town · 7 listings · 26 mi away
Wailea
City / town · 22 listings · 29 mi away
Kihei
City / town · 49 listings · 30 mi away
Kahului
City / town · 22 listings · 32 mi away
Ma'alaea
City / town · 5 listings · 33 mi away
My experience
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