ALOHA!
This is basically part 2 of what you can see when hiking the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail (aka Piilani Trail) in Waianapanapa State Park.
Below will show you a bit of what you can see if you hike from the black sand beach overlook all the way to Hana Airport.
Part 1 was basically what you can see hiking the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail from the black sand beach overlook with around 30-45 minutes of hiking. (This would be hiking for 10-15 minutes, and then turning around.)
Below will go beyond that if you will be giving yourself 2+ hours in Waianapanapa State Park!
Your starting point for this hike will be the black sand beach…
And your “destination” for this hike will be the Hana Airport!
And along the way you will get grand views of Maui lava fields, the ocean, and the slopes of Haleakala!
If you have not yet gotten the intro to Waianapanapa State Park, here are some basics:
Below will give you an idea of how long it takes to hike to certain points along the trail so you can judge the possible time it takes a little better!
The times listed are based on how long I personally took to get to each spot.
This of course means it might be different for you!
You might be quicker, or it might take you longer! You may spend more time taking in the views in a certain spot, etc etc!
I was generally going at a leisurely pace. I also stopped often to take pictures.
From the black sand beach to Hana Airport, it took me 1.5 hours hiking along the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail, one way.
The official hiking trail info for the Piilani Trail to Hana Airport
The Waianapanapa Coastal Trail’s official name is Ke Ala Loa O Maui Trail or Piilani Trail.
According to google translate, “Ke Ala Loa O Maui” means “the best road of Maui” in the Hawaiian language.
The trail sign you will see off to the left side of the black sand beach. 👇
More pictures below of hiking to Hana airport!
🌴🌋
More photos/info below, but first...
Side note!
Most people do the Road to Hana as a day trip.
But you can stay overnight in Hana too so you can take your time exploring the lush and quiet East Maui!
Best places to stay in Hana:
- Waianapanapa State Park cabins (bring your own everything)
- Hyatt Hana Resort
It's very possible to do the Road to Hana on your own, but you can also leave the planning to someone else.
Road to Hana tours:
- Classic Road to Hana: Guided Road to Hana tour with lunch
- Road to Hana from above: Road to Hana helicopter and waterfalls tour
- Private luxury tour: Road to Hana private tour in luxury SUV
So now…
What can you see hiking to Hana Airport along the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail?
aka PHOTOS!
Hiking the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail to the Hana Airport means that you will start at the black sand beach.
From the parking lot, you’ll follow the signs to the black sand beach.
This will take you first to the black sand beach overlook.
Take in the views of Pailoa Bay!
You’ll be able to see the first part of the trail that you’ll be hiking to get to the Hana Airport.
👆 You will be hiking along the coastline there.
Then you can take the stairs down to the beach!
Once you get down to sea level, off to the right side of the beach as you are facing the ocean, there’s the black sand beach lava tube. Take a walk through that!
Then after that, moving on, you can get up close and personal with the black sand beach!
When you’re ready, looking off to the left side of the beach, you’ll see a trail. That’s the trail you want to take!
And from here, we’ll start the trail timings!
Starting point from the black sand beach will be 0 minutes.
The times noted below are how long it takes to hike there ONE WAY. So you’ll want to double the time to account for the time it’ll take to get back. Maybe you’ll be quicker on the way back since you won’t stop so often to take in the views. Or maybe you’ll take longer on the way back because you’re more tired.
Hiking time: 0-10 minutes one way
Start the trail next to the black sand beach!
See more pictures: Hiking the first part of the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail
Hiking time: 10-20 minutes one way
Hiking time: 20-30 minutes one way
Hiking time: 30-40 minutes one way
Hiking time: 40-50 minutes one way
Hiking time: 50-60 minutes one way
Hiking time: 60-70 minutes one way
Hiking time: 70-80+ minutes one way
And you have reached the Hana Airport!!
For your own safety, it’s best to stay off the runway, even if you see no planes in sight. You never know when a plane might come to land!
Once at the Hana Airport, you can head back!
Or…
If you’re not going back on the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail, then there’s a small trail that you can take that will get you safely away from the Hana Airport.
I actually walked from the Hana Airport to the Hana lava tube. It’s about 1.5 miles away. I don’t actually recommend doing this, unless you have a ride waiting for you, or unless you don’t mind the really long walk to get back! Luckily, after I was finished up at the Hana lava tube and started walking back, someone offered me a ride to near Waianapanapa State Park!
Best shoes for hiking the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail
I recommend wearing trail running shoes or hiking shoes for this Maui hiking trail.
I recommend NOT wearing sandals or open-toe shoes.
You are quite literally hiking across the rugged terrain of lava rocks. Small specks of lava rocks have the potential to be sharp so it’s best if your feet are not exposed. Because of the rougher terrain, it can be better to have thicker soles.
If you don’t want to buy new shoes, at the very least wear shoes not sandals! If you won’t be hiking, then you can be fine in your footwear of choice whether that’s sandals or shoes.
And that’s a bit about what hiking the lava fields in Waianapanapa State Park can be like!
More volcano exploration on Maui:
- Hana lava tube
- Hiking across lava fields in South Maui
- Driving to the Haleakala volcano summit
- The Haleakala volcano crater hike
- Things to do in Haleakala National Park
More for your trip to Hana! Post-hike food in Hana?!
Or buy the famous Road to Hana banana bread on your way to Waianapanapa State Park!
Plus see the big list of stops on the Road to Hana!
Plus, if you are interested in the Waianapanapa Coastal Trail, you may also be interested in these top activities on Maui:
- Waihee Ridge Trail
- How to spend one day in the West Maui mountains
- Kapalua Coastal Trail
- Hoapili Trail (more Maui lava fields!)
- Pipiwai Trail
HAPPY HIKING TO HANA AIRPORT!
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