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Alternative-Hawaii

ISLAND OF MAUI

ROAD TO HANA DRIVE GUIDE
(First Half)

Spectacular Coastline, Waterfalls, Rain Forests

Created by: Alternative-Hawaii.com
  • Approx. 68 miles round-trip from Start of Drive (Kahului at corner of Hwy 380 & 36).
  • Allow 4 to 5 hours round-trip from Start of Drive including "stops" below. (If combining drive with Road to Hana-Second Half, allow at least 10 hours for round-trip.)
  • The Road to Hana is one of the world's most spectacular drives. Don't rush. Take time to enjoy the magnificent scenery along the way.
  • Start drive early in day-don't return in the dark.
  • Drive slowly and carefully-Road to Hana has 56 bridges and more than 600 curves.
  • For your safety, please observe Cautionary Notes on drive "stops" below.
  • Set Odometer to Zero between "stops" below.
  • All distances are to the nearest tenth of a mile.
(Click on PHOTOGRAPH to view Stop on Tour.)

STOP 1: PAIA TOWN PHOTOGRAPH
START: KAHULUI AT HWY 380 & 36  
DIST/TIME: 5.9 Miles/Approx. 8 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Sign-Paia (Right Side)
 ROUTE:
  • Turn right off Hwy 380 onto Hwy 36 E
  • Stay on Hwy 36 E & go to traffic light in Paia
Windsurfing capital of the world. Colorful old plantation town: shops, restaurants, crafts guild, art galleries, operating sugar mill. Picnics to go.

Note: last stop for gas and food. Restrooms. Jeep Rentals




STOP 2: HOOKIPA OVERLOOK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: PAIA AT TRAFFIC LIGHT  
DIST/TIME: 2.2 Miles/Approx. 4 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Hookipa Beach (Left Side)
 ROUTE:
  • Take Hwy 36 E to entry sign for Hookipa Park (left side-just before Mile Marker 9)
  • Turn left and go to first parking lot (right side)

Spectacular view-great picnic area. Board surfing and international windsurfing site.





STOP 3: WAIKAMOI RIDGE PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: HOOKIPA OVERLOOK  
DIST/TIME: 17.1 Miles/Approx. 35 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Mile Marker 9-Hwy 360
 ROUTE:
  • Leave overlook parking lot and return to Hwy 36
  • Turn left onto Hwy 36 E and go 16.6 miles to Mile Marker 9 on Hwy 360. (After 7.5 miles, at Jct. Hwy 36 & 365, Hwy 36 becomes Hwy 360 and mile markers start again at zero.)
  • Go short way (0.5 mile) past Mile Marker 9 to wide unmarked dirt pull-off (right side)
A 30 minute loop hike through magnificent rain forest to an overlook of bamboo groves. Take left uphill path and stay to left at "Quiet, Trees at Work" sign. Picnic area.




STOP 4: GARDEN OF EDEN
 PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: WAIKAMOI RIDGE  
DIST/TIME: 1.0 Mile/Approx. 3 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Sign between Mile Markers 10 & 11- Hwy 360
 ROUTE:
  • Continue on Hwy 360 E to the Garden of Eden (right side)
A 27-acre botanical paradise with an overlook of Puohokamoa Valley and Falls.

Note: Open daily. Admission charge. Tel. 572-9899. Restrooms. Visit the Gardens.

Caution: Falls are no longer available for public access. Guided hiking tour only.




STOP 5: KAUMAHINA STATE PARK PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: GARDEN OF EDEN  
DIST/TIME: 1.7 Miles/Approx. 6 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Mile Marker 12-Hwy 360
 ROUTE:
  • Continue to Kaumahina State Wayside (right side, a short distance beyond Mile Marker 12)
Wonderful overlook of Keanae Peninsula and village.

Note: Picnic area. Restrooms.




STOP 6: KEANAE ARBORETUM PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KAUMAHINA STATE PARK  
DIST/TIME: 4.4 Miles/Approx. 13 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Sign-Keanae Arboretum
 ROUTE:
  • Continue to Keanae Arboretum (right side-0.6 mile beyond Mile Marker 16)
Delightful, short walk (0.5 mile one-way) through exotic botanical garden. 150 varieties of tropical plants (including taro). Great stop for children.




STOP 7: KEANAE PENINSULA PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KEANAE ARBORETUM  
DIST/TIME: 0.8 Mile/Approx. 4 Min.
WATCH FOR: First Turn-Off (Left Side)
 ROUTE:
  • Continue short way (0.1 mile) to sign for entry road to Keanae Peninsula (left side)
  • Take entry road short way (0.7 mile) to end of Keanae Peninsula
Keanae's spectacular shoreline drive past lava pinnacles, taro patches, old Hawaiian village, church (1856). Great spot for picnic. Restrooms.

Caution: tide pools are slippery and dangerous.

 

STOP 8: WAIANU FRUITSTAND PHOTOGRAPH
LEAVE: KEANAE PENINSULA  
DIST/TIME: l.4 Mile/Approx. 4 Mins.
WATCH FOR: Sign-Half Way To Hana
(at Waianu Fruitstand)		  
 ROUTE:
  • Leave Keanae Peninsula and return short way (0.7 mile) to Hwy 360
  • Turn left and go short way (0.7 mile) to Waianu Fruitstand (right side-beyond Mile Marker 17)

Famous for shave ice & banana bread. Open daily.

Caution: tide pools are slippery and dangerous.



END OF DRIVE OR
CONTINUE TOUR WITH ROAD TO HANA-SECOND HALF

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