On the Road to Hana ...

Hana is a village on the Eastern end of Maui ...

As beautiful as Hana is, much of the alure to the town is the adventure you go through just in getting there.

Road to Hana, Maui

On the road to Hana.

The Road to Hana is 68 miles long and goes Eastward and Southward around the Eastern coastal slopes of Maui. The road is also known as the Hana Highway and the Hana Road. One end of the road is in the city of Kahului, and the other end is at Haleakala National Park. Eventhough it's only 52 miles from Kahului to Hana, it will take several hours to make the one way trip.

The road is windy, and there's something like 55 bridges to cross to get to Hana, most of which are only wide enough for one directional traffic. That means that you'll often be waiting (yielding) for traffic to cross the bridge(s) before you get to cross.

Speaking of winding roads, there are somethng like 600 curves on the way. Almost all of them are within the local rainforest. There are many places that are extremely photogenic, which almost beg you to stop and take a picture (or two).

Be advised that areas of the road get as much as 300 inches of rain a year! That's a LOT!
(note: With that much anual precipitation, you may just experience some rain!)

One Lane Bridge on the Road to Hana, Maui
One lane bridge on the Road to Hana --- photo: peyri

Did I mention there are photo oportunities??

Here is a picture of one of the one lane bridges
found on the Road to Hana ...

Waterfalls seen on the Road to Hana
Waterfalls seen on the Road to Hana --- photo: peyri

Now, once you get to the beautiful village of Hana - the "Land that Time Forgot" - what should you expect?

The Hana Hotel in Hana, Maui
The Hana Hotel in Hana, Maui ------ photo: snackfight

A Hillside in Hana, Maui
A Hillside in Hana, Maui --------- photo: peyri

The coast of Hana, Maui
The coast of Hana, Maui ----------- photo: snackfight

How do you feel about Black Sand Beaches?

Black Sand Beaches on the coast of Hana, Maui
photo: Courtney Nash

Red Sand Beaches on the coast of Hana, Maui
Red Sand Beaches on the coast of Hana, Maui
photo: Courtney Nash

And check out the Red Sand Beaches!

Red Sand Beaches on the coast of Hana, Maui
More red Sand Beaches on the coast of Hana, Maui
photo: Courtney Nash

Just past Hana is the Seven Sacred Pools (Ohe'o Gulch), located inside the Haleakala National Park. The park, which covers over 30,000 acres, offers even more scenic photo opportunities. Be advised that the upper section of the valley is restricted from the public in order to protect the local plants and animals of the rain forest.

Ohe'o Gulch, in Haleakala National Park, by Hana, Maui
Ohe'o Gulch, in Haleakala National Park, by Hana, Maui
photo: Maveric2003

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