The Road to Hana

Fields of bamboo peeping through majestic rain trees, on the road to Hana

Many people say that if you want to get a feel of what Hawaii or Maui was like in the 1950s, go to Hana.  It's a 45 mile drive but the road to Hana is extremely windy and narrow at places so it will take you two hours or more.  

The road officially starts from the sleepy town of Paia. It's a good place to stock up on food and do some shopping along the way. 

The San Lorenzo bikini shop has a gorgeous collection of bikinis and beachwear. The Paia Bay Coffee (115 Hana Highway, Paia) at the back of the bikini shop, has a quiet tropical garden courtyard to sit and enjoy your morning bagel or choose to sample some Kona coffee at Anthony's coffee. 

Drive to Ho'okipa surfer's point and watch the surfers ride the waves. 

Then the road starts to wind. Remember to take your time and stop along the way. There are numerous roadside fruit stands where you can also get warm banana bread, a specialty of the area. We stopped at a grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees and hugged some trees with green and brown camo bark. 

The road hugs the coast and you're treated to views of the vast pacific ocean, road side waterfalls and tropical flora. Jungle lianas hung down and red ginger flowers peeped out from the lush vegetation.  Those traveling in the beginning of the year will be treated to the sight of red masses of flowering mango trees  - Hawaii's answer to the fall season.  

Nutcharee's Authentic Thai Food (5050 Uakea Road, Hana ) was a good spot for lunch. It was a nice change from the usual Fish Tacos stands found around the island. Try the local fish with green mango salad. Along the road,  look out for the signs along the way advertising for Huli Huli Chicken (Barbecued chicken seasoned with soya, ginger, garlic, brown sugar and more). We found ours at a casual drinking place by Koki beach and it hit the right spot. 

The highlight of Hana would be the Kipahulu State Park which includes the Oheo Gulch (seven sacred pools that cascade into the ocean) and the Pipiwai trail. Some literature I read stated that you should not pick up any stones from Oheo Gulch as the site is sacred. I was tickled to find out that "the seven pools" is actually manufactured by marketing people. The pools are not sacred and there are actually a dozen pools. Microclimates are pretty strange in Maui. I swear there must have been a perpetual cloud of rain over our house. However, when you drive a few mere miles away towards Kipahulu, it is nice and sunny. We even found out from the ranger that the national park had not had rain for the past few months and "it was the driest in sixteen years" according to a fellow traveler. Unfortunately, Oheo Gulch was devoid of water (so no swimming) We decided to walk up the Pipiwai trail instead and it did not disappoint. There's lots to see on this route. The first amazing site would be the enormous banyan tree. The bamboo forest has to be the highlight. I have never seen such density of bamboos. As you walk through natural tunnels of bamboo, you imagine you're in some sort of crouching tiger hidden dragon location. You can hear the bamboo stalks knocking each other "Tok Tok Tok" as if they were making music. 

Red foliage of the mango trees top the waterfall 

Pools of water on the Pipiwai trail

Despite the rain, we were glad we ventured to Hana. We saw a lot of local life and soaked in the wild landscape. Lots of people will say that Hana can be certainly done in a day as a day trip, but why rush? Slow down and feel the spirit of Hana.

Sunrise at Haleakala crater - breathtaking moonscape

Note: 

• We were traveling with our three year old and five year old. It's a two mile track (back and forth) on the Pipiwai Trail so be prepared to carry young kids part of the way as they WILL get tired. However, it is totally doable with young kids. The $10 entrance fees for the park includes the summit of Haleakala volcano and Kipahulu State park (2 day validity) so plan to do both activities within the 2 days.