ALOHA!
Hana is a town in Hawaii on the island of Maui. It’s located in the region of East Maui.
Hana is most famous for Maui’s scenic drive that is frequently referred to as the Road to Hana.
It is called the Road to Hana because you are quite literally driving the road TO the destination of the town called Hana along the Hana coast!
While the Road to Hana is most often about the journey and things to do along the way, you can spend a few hours exploring Hana. You can even stay overnight in Hana and take your time to enjoy the slow remote life in Hawaii!
This list below will focus on the area around the town of Hana itself, and the order is generally as you will come across them as you are driving to Hana from Paia.
I spent 3 nights in Hana at Waianapanapa State Park so I had the chance to take it slowly and do more!
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1. Hana lava tube
One of the things that makes the Hana lava tube stop worth it is the educational value.
It’s a self-guided tour through a cave formed by lava flows and there are informational signs along the way. If you are interested in learning about Maui’s volcanic landscape, then you are sure to find this interesting!
There is an entry fee to the Hana lava tube, and the cost is around $12 and flashlights are provided.
See more about this Hana activity: Hana lava tube
2. Hana Farms
This is a food stop in Hana for fresh locally sourced food where you can have lunch.
If you like spicy food, try the fish tacos here!
You can expect to pay $15-20 for one meal. Credit cards are accepted here.
See more about this Hana activity: Hana Farms
3. Waianapanapa State Park
THE famous black sand beach of Maui is in Hana.
You will find it at Waianapanapa State Park.
This is one of the best Hawaii state parks in Maui!
There’s the Pailoa Bay overlook where you can see the black sand beach from above.
And then you can take the stairs down to the black sand beach. You will also see a small lava tube that opens up to the ocean!
From there, you can start off on the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail to again see the black sand beach from above from a different viewpoint… and also start walking across some lava fields of East Maui!
This is one of the best hikes in Maui with amazing views!
It is possible to keep hiking all the way to the Hana Airport for a hike that lasts over 2 hours.
But it’s also possible to just hike for 30 minutes and for it to be worth it!
The Waianapanapa Coastal Trail also goes in the opposite direction to the south for more hiking across lava fields with ocean views.
Entry to Waianapanapa State Park is based on a reservation system that you need to make before you go.
Waianapanapa State Park is where to go for tent camping in Hana. It’s also where you can go for a cabin stay in Hana.
You can check here for availability and reservations at the state park.
See more about this Hana activity:
- Things to do in Waianapanapa State Park
- Hiking the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail
- Waianapanapa State Park cabin
- Best lava fields to see on Maui
4. Hana Bay
This is a small beach with facilities (aka bathroom).
5. Kaihalulu Beach
This beach is the famous red sand beach of Maui.
The trail to get to the beach may or may not pass through private property.
Some people also call this trail a bit dangerous.
As with many hiking trails in Hawaii, there’s loose gravel which can be easy to slip on.
And at times the trail is narrow with a steep cliff on one side.
See more about this Hana activity: Kaihalulu red sand beach
6. Hana Ranch Store
A general store in Hana town where you can find basic items.
Going to this general store means nice views because it’s up a hill a little bit.
You can get a nice view of another cute Hawaiian church.
7. Hasegawa General Store
Another general store in Hana town where you can find basic items here.
8. Hana gas station
Now, a gas station typically wouldn’t be a worthy spot, but well, this is Hana in rural East Maui, where gas stations are scarce!
Be sure to fill up your tank before you start your drive to Hana to avoid the even more expensive gas in Hana!
9. Braddah Hutts bbq grill food truck
You can eat at a food truck in Hana.
Try the fish tacos!
Food here might be $10-20.
See more about this Hana activity: Braddah Hutts food truck
10. Koki Beach
If you’re looking for a “safe” alternative to the famous red sand beach, then Koki Beach can be it.
Although this is listed as a “red beach” on google maps, the beach itself is not really red at all. But walk to the other end of the beach, and you’ll find a short red sand trail so you can see red sand!
11. Huli huli chicken
For THE famous huli huli chicken in Hana, you will want to go to the huli huli chicken stand near Koki Beach. As seen on TV! (Courtesy of Gordon Ramsay.)
You can get Hawaiian-style bbq here.
There’s an outdoor seating area where you can eat with ocean views. You can see some red sand here.
See more about this Hana activity: Huli huli chicken
12. Hamoa Beach overlook
For great views from above, you can go to the Hamoa Beach overlook.
And for a quiet picnic spot where you will likely be all alone, from the overlook as you are facing the ocean head to the left.
There’s a pretty good size open field type thing that you’ll probably have to yourself!
And have some more great scenic views!
13. Hamoa Beach
And, you can also go down to sea level to enjoy the beach too!
This is often considered to be Hana’s best beach, along with one of the best beaches on Maui.
So if you’re looking for a beach in Hana to hang out at, this might be the beach you’re looking for!
Hana map
👆 Explore the Road to Hana map on google maps. For things to do in Hana on the map, you can zoom in to Hana!
Where to start the drive to Hana
There are 2 ways that you can drive to Hana:
Starting the drive to Hana from Paia
👆 What you’ll see driving the Hana Highway to Hana from Paia
Going from Paia to Hana is the most popular way to drive to Hana.
The typical Hana day trip is to drive from Paia to Hana to Paia. (Or maybe going a bit past Hana to Kipahulu, and then heading back.)
Paia to Hana is considered the “safe” way to drive to Hana. (map)
See more about driving to Hana starting from Paia: Driving the Road to Hana
Starting the drive to Hana from Kula
👆 What you’ll see driving the Hana Highway to Hana from Kula
Going from Kula to Hana (passing through Kipahulu) means that you will be driving the back road to Hana.
So basically you will be driving the Road to Hana in reverse compared to regular Hana day trippers.
Most people who start the drive to Hana from Kula will then continue driving in the same direction to make it a Road to Hana loop.
Kula to Hana is considered the more “dangerous” way to drive to Hana. (map)
See more about driving to Hana starting from Kula: Driving the back road to Hana
Hana without a car: Can you get to Hana by bus?
No, you it is not possible to get to Hana by bus.
There is no public transportation that goes out to Hana, or anywhere near Hana.
Even if you don’t mind walking a long distance from a bus stop, you cannot get to Hana by bus.
The nearest bus stop to Hana is like 35 miles away.
While there is no public bus that will allow you to truly experience the Road to Hana, there are Road to Hana tours that you can join. This will allow you to get a deeper Hana experience to give you further knowledge of the Hana coast!
And that’s a bit about going to Hana!
Also have a look at more to do on the way to Hana… or past it!
- Keanae
- Kipahulu
- Road to Hana waterfalls
- The big list of Road to Hana stops
- Driving the back road to Hana
Plus explore more areas of Maui:
HAPPY DRIVING TO HANA!
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.