Places, Earth
The Road to Hana

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Throughout the country, important state parks, historic sites, homes, buildings, and museums are in trouble. Because of the recent rise in gasoline prices and the general world-wide financial collapse, state parks, historic sites, and museums are in danger of closing. Some are being forced to sell off artifacts and property. Most operate on a thin margin and will not weather these hard times without your help.

Places Earth recently encountered closed state parks in Arizona and California is threatening to close all state parks. The story is similar throughout the country.

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The Road to Hana

In addition to the beautiful scenery to be seen from the road, there are many stops along the Road to Hana. Hana Road starts in Kahului and heads east through breathtaking scenery. Close to 60 narrow one-lane bridges join the sections of this slow winding road, itself only one-lane is places. Numerous State Waysides provide rest room facilities as well as a scenic background. Waianapanapa State Park near Hana includes numerous recreational and scenic attractions. Hana has been called the "last Hawaiian place" because of its importance to the Hawaiian people. Travelers can turn around at Hana and go back the way they came, or continue. Continuing beyond Hana is a section of Haleakala National Park, the grave site of Charles Lindbergh, and eventually, by way of other roads, back to Kahului.

The journey begins in Kahului as the road swings east around the airport. Just east of the bohemian town of Lower Pa'ia is Ho'okipa Beach renowned for wind surfing. This point also allows spectacular views west along the north shore and of waves crashing against rocks. There are many beautiful views and many places to pull over and look, but not always in the same place. When space to park is provided, it often isn't enough, so be prepared to wait further back or try again later.

Garden of Eden Botanical Garden, (AKA Maui Botanical Gardens & Arboretum), is twenty-six acres of trails through lush and colorful foliage, unique flowers, and rare trees. The gardens overlook the sea, as visitors stroll along the trails. The entrance is easy to see from Hana Road near mile marker 10 1/2 - between Kailua & Kaenae.

Numerous State Waysides stretch along the route that provide rest room facilities with scenic background views and hiking trails. Three Waysides are Kaumahina, Wailua, and Pua'a Ka'a.

Halfway to Hana, at mile marker 17, is popular for their famous banana bread and shaved ice. A small exhibit of mounted boar heads is installed on the wall of the house.

Ula'ino Road is a side road running back at an angle to Hana Road with several points of interest.

National Tropical Botanic Gardens (AKA Kahanu Gardens) are a native architectural National Historic Landmark, and boasts the world's largest collection of breadfruit cultivars. Hana Lava Tube (AKA Ka'eleku Caverns) is a privately owned lava tube and reported to be the longest on Maui. Across the road, Blue Pool is no longer open because of liability reasons.

Waianapanapa State Park near Hana is one of the most popular stops along the road to Hana. It is 122 acres of breathtaking scenery, a black sand beach, natural arch, blow hole, lava tube, historic native cemeteries, and camping and picnic areas. Lodging is available.

The Town of Hana is where most people turn around, but has several points of interest of its own. Sights in town include Hana Cultural Center on Ke'anini Street, Hana Hongwanji Temple, shops, and restaurants.

For those travelers not turning around at Hana, the road continues around the southeastern tip of the island and back toward the west.

Within a few miles (near mile marker 45) is Wailua Fall. The fall is (45 feet or 80 feet or 95 feet or 200 feet tall) along Honolewa Stream. There is a small turnout and often venders can be found selling jewelry, fruit, and palm woven hats and baskets.

The road cuts through a narrow section of Haleakala National Park as the park extends to the sea. At this location is found the Kipahulu Visitor Center, a fee station, and parking lot. Visitors can hike up the Pipiwai Trail past the Falls at Makahiku to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, or hike a short quarter mile hike to the Seven Sacred Pools which cascade down the canyon to the ocean. The pools are fed by the same Pipiwai Stream as the two waterfalls.

Continue along the road to Kipahulu. A little past Saint Paul Catholic Church, turn left at the sign that says Stables and within a short distance is Palapala Ho'omau Church, built in 1857. This quiet secluded spot is the final resting place of the famous aviator, Charles A. Lindbergh (died 1974), located only by a relatively simple marker. He chose this place for its isolation and his body faces the Big Island as the small cemetery overlooks the sea.

Within a short distance the pavement ends and after some distance on a rough undeveloped road, pavement resumes as Pi'ilani Road which will connect back to Upcountry and Kahului.

Bridge.

Fern near the bridge.


Two of the over 50 bridges on the Hana Road.


Hill side near Hana.


These red flowered top trees line the road.


Halfway to Hana is about half way to Hana at mile marker 17. Most noted for its banana bread but also a good place to get shaved ice. There is also an exhibit of boars heads.

The Blue Pool is closed for liability reasons.

Hana Cross, a memorial to Helio Koaeloa, an early Hawaiian Catholic priests on Maui, born 1815, died 1846. Cross erected in 1931. On a hill beside Hana.

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This page last updated: Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 18:55:19 CST

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Places, Earth The Road to Hana

State Parks, Historic Sites, and Museums need your help.

The Road to Hana

This page last updated: Sunday, 28-Feb-2010 18:55:19 CST

Places, Earth
The Road to Hana