Maui: 5 tips for driving The Road To Hana
When we were booking our trip to Maui, we knew we wanted to drive the road to Hana. It is the most beautiful scenic drive we have ever experienced. There are so many cool stops along the way to the most Hawaiian town in Maui, but I would recommend choosing just a few to explore. If you try to do everything possible, you will be exhausted and probably not get to your final destination until after sunset.
TIP #1: Rent a car. When you drive the road to Hana, you will have complete control of where you want to stop and how much time you want to spend at each location. We knew we wanted to spend a lot of time at the Wai’anapanapa State Park and enjoy the black sand beach. I called one of the Van Tours to ask how long they stay at the Park and the person on the phone informed me that it would be approximately 30 minutes. Thirty minutes at this beautiful state park is NOT enough. Trust me. We spent at least 2 hours there.
Also, with 600+ turns and 54-one lane bridges, I thought this will be a very challenging road trip, especially since I suffer from motion sickness. Sitting in the back seat of a van was not an option for me. I had to be the driver. I researched and bought these acupressure bracelets that help prevent motion sickness. And let me tell you, they worked like magic! However, they only work when you’re wearing them! We were all fine on the way to Hana, decided to take them off once we got to the black sand beach and….we forgot to put them back on?. Needless to say, I started to feel a little nauseous and Kayla had an accident -her semi-digested lunch ended up on the car floor.? We stopped, cleaned up, and put the bracelets back on!
TIP #2: Download the “Road to Hana Maui GyPSy Guide” app on your phone before you head out. It works offline, no data or wireless connection needed. It’s wonderful because we didn’t have ANY cell phone reception along the entire way. The app itself is amazing! We felt we had a personal tour guide in our car, who pointed out every single possible “attraction” and taught us a lot of Hawaiian history.
TIP #3: Don’t forget to pack water, bug spray, sunblock, water shoes, towels, swimsuit, a change of clothes and lots of snacks. Our first stop was the Twin Falls at mile marker 2. We decided to hike to the more popular “Caveman” waterfall of Twin Falls, which is another 30 minute hike from the first one. This 30 minute hike is for experienced hikers only due to some hazardous conditions like flash flooding, muddy slides, crossing through water and walking up slippery stream beds. We are not experienced hikers by any means but decided to go for it anyway. Final verdict: definitely doable even with young kids!?
On the way back from Caveman waterfall this stream was harder to cross. There was more water flowing and the current was stronger.
Lots of slippery rocks. Water shoes highly recommended.
The water was freezing cold.
Again, lots of slippery rocks.
TIP #4: Stop to eat before you get to Wai’anapanapa State Park or on your way back. The town of Hana does not have a “main street” with restaurants or souvenir shops.
TIP #5: Start your adventure early in the morning. We headed out at 8:30am (from Wailea) and wished we had left earlier than that. The drive alone (without stopping anywhere) takes about 2.5 hours one way. Pay attention to time! It’s very easy to lose track of it when you’re having so much fun! Scroll down for bonus tip #6.
The bigger pebbles hurt your feet, wear water shoes or flip flops!
BONUS TIP #6: Make sure you do not take any of the black sand or pebbles home! Why? First of all, removing any natural mineral is illegal and could cost you some hefty fines. However, the biggest reason is that if you knowingly remove even the smallest rock, Pele, the Goddess of fire, will curse you, bringing you bad luck and misfortune. While many believe this to be a superstition, Hawaiian State Parks receive many packages of returned lava rock from tourists every day.
