This Banyan tree was a gift from missionaries in India and planted on April 24, 1873. It is the oldest banyan tree in Hawaii. You can find it in Lahaina Banyan Court Park and it stands over 60 feet high, has 16 major trunks in addition to the original and shades two-thirds of an acre, so you can't miss it.
Whether you're looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner or something in between. You're sure to find something you'll like here...
A great place for breakfast with large portions. It's located right across the street from the beach and has a large patio with outdoor seating.
1945 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
Banana-Macademia Nut Pancakes (be sure to get the coconut syrup!)
Loco Moco with Pork Fried Rice
A bread-lovers paradise! This place has a wide assortment of fruit-flavored breads, savory pastries, and breakfast treats.
2395 S Kihei Rd #117, Kihei, HI 96753
They have gluten-free options, too. The Ube Mochi was delicious!
This place is known for it's traditional Hawaiian cuisine with a modern twist. The food is filling and it is known to be one of the more affordable options in Maui.
2439 S Kihei Rd a107, Kihei, HI 96753
Chicken Katsu Sandwich
Fried Spam Musubi
If you have a craving for Hawaiian shrimp, this is the place to go. Since everything is made to order, be prepared to wait. It will be well-worth it, though, and you will not be disappointed.
Located on Kahului Beach Road next to Kahului Harbor
Spicy Pineapple Shrimp Plate
Refreshing lemonades made from local produce. Perfect after a summer day in the sun. You can order your beverage in a souvenir mason jar and bring it back for a refill of any lemonade for $5.
1279 S. Kihei Rd #309, Kihei
Strawberry Lemonade
Be warned, you will never be able to enjoy shaved ice the same way again after you leave Hawaii. Their ice is so fine, that it literally melts in your mouth. No chunks of ice that need crunching. Each snowflake perfectly and evenly captures the juice. A treat that both the young and young at heart will be sure to go back for again and again.
61 South Kihei Road, Kihei, HI 96753 (Several other locations)
Passion fruit/Guava/Coconut and "POG" (Passion Fruit/Orange/Guava)
Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, they have a daily happy hour from 2pm-6pm and a comfortable outdoor courtyard. A nice place to sit and relax after a day of shopping on the strip.
658 Front St #102, Lahaina, HI 96761
Lobster and Crab Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Lava Lava Shrimp
Popular with both locals and tourists, this is a family-friendly restaurant that is a casual place to grab a great meal. You'll find something on the menu to satisfy everyone.
1279 S Kihei Rd, Kihei, HI 96753
Fish Tacos (one order comes with 2 tacos)
Local Style Grilled Mahi Mahi Plate
Brand-new in 2018, this is a very large facility with plenty of room to accommodate the crowds. They feature 36 craft and specialty beers on tap, as well as daily live entertainment.
605 Lipoa Parkway, Kihei, Maui, HI 96753
The brewmaster pizza - Kukui spicy sausage, pepperoni, roasted bell peppers, olives, red sauce
Cheesy tater tots - House-made, with smoky house-made ketchup
Rated as one of the most popular restaurants in Maui, it's a classic favorite. Located on the North Shore, we chose to visit this restaurant after the Road to Hana. It is guaranteed to be crowded, but usually no wait if you sit at the bar.
799 Poho Pl, Paia, HI 96779
Asparagus Bisque
Homemade bread
Traditional Hawaiian - Mahimahi and Ahi with Big Island wild boar slow-cooked in a ti leaf, traditional Hawaiian sides of octopus luau and Ahi poke
Mama's Stuffed Fish - Stuffed with crab and lobster, baked in a macadamia nut crust
Mama's Stuffed Fish - Check out that stuffing
Guava cheesecake with hana breadfruit
If you plan to venture out on the Road to Hana, make sure to leave early in order to make the most of your day. Hana Highway is only about 64 miles long, but the road itself is very windy and narrow. You will come across about 50 bridges that are only wide enough for one car and approximately 620 curves through a tropical rainforest. There are several stops and landmarks along the way. Make sure to take a map and prioritize the stops you would like to see along the way. Also, however tempting, make sure not to spend too much time in one spot. Each stop will likely be better than the last, it's that beautiful.
Kuau Store
This store is located near Paia. We stopped here to grab breakfast and a picnic lunch. Make sure to have food and drinks with you. There are a few food stands along the way, but their hours vary and it's better to be prepared.
Inside Kuau Store
Fresh poke (one of the best I had in Maui) and yes, it was ready by 7:30am
We stopped at Ho'okipa Beach Park to eat the breakfast we grabbed at Kuau Store. This park has plenty of picnic tables and public restrooms. We also saw our first wild mongoose here.
Breakfast sausage sandwich on a croissant
When in Hawaii, you eat poke for breakfast
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Ho'okipa Beach Park
Located at mile marker 2, this will most likely be your first actual stop on the Road to Hana.
The entrance to Twin Falls has a fruit stand where you can purchase juices and snacks.
It helps to wear water shoes and clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
Compared to some of the other stops, there is quite a bit to explore in Twin Falls.
Twin Falls
Bamboo in Twin Falls
You can find rainbow eucalyptus trees speckled along the Road to Hana. They are a spectacular site to see, like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.
As mentioned earlier, be prepared to slow down for many sharp turns and one-lane bridges. Courtesy is to let a few cars pass before letting the other side go across.
An unmarked lookout spot, somewhere before Mile Marker 16
Located at Mile Marker 16, you'll get a wide variety of views to choose from. Also, if you're looking for some delicious warm banana bread, make sure to take this exit.
Aunt Sandy's can be found at the same exit for Ke'anae Lookout, well-worth the stop.
Not too bad of a line at Aunt Sandy's
Warm, delicious banana bread
Also known as the "Three Bears," this is a very photogenic waterfall that also serves as a nice swimming hole. Be warned, though, the hike down can be steep and slippery. This is located near mile marker 19.
A view of Upper Waikani Falls from the bridge. There's not a lot of parking, so be prepared to park up the hill and walk back down to it.
A small park off the highway near mile marker 22. A nice place for a swim, picnic, or just to stop and use the restroom.
This was said to have formed almost 1,000 years ago. It is a self-guided tour that is located near mile marker 31. When we went, the entrance fee was $25/couple. They will give you a flashlight, which is necessary since there were no lights in the Lava Tube.
Red Ti Garden Maze
The entrance to the Lava Tube
This is located near mile marker 32 and entrance is free. Waianapanapa State Park is made up of beaches, freshwater caves, burial sites, and camping sites. It was one of our favorite stops on the Road to Hana, so be sure not to miss it.
Papilla Beach- black sand beach
Papilla Beach- rated one of the top beaches in America. The black sand provides a sharp contrast against the luscious greenery and aquamarine waters. Be careful, though. The tide can rise fairly quickly. So, it's not one where you want to lounge around and sunbathe.
This is located near mile marker 45 and you will be able to see the waterfall from the bridge. There are parking spots located right past the Falls, so make sure to stop and capture the view.
The Pools of Ohe'o are located in Haleakala National Park. Entrance to the National Park is $25 and valid for 3 days. So, if you plan on watching the sunrise or sunset from Haleakala Crater, make sure to save your receipt!
The Seven Sacred Pools
Another one of our favorite stops on the Road to Hana. Makes sure to save plenty of time to explore this park, there's a lot to see!
A large Banyan tree on the trail. There are several other self-guided hiking trails that weave through forests of bamboo and lead you to majestic waterfalls.. The Pipiwai Trail is one of those trails, which we did not have time for on this trip.
Rated as one of the most popular restaurants in Maui, it's a classic favorite. Located on the North Shore, we chose to visit this restaurant after the Road to Hana because it was on the way back to town. It is guaranteed to be crowded, but there's usually no wait if you sit at the bar.
Traditional Hawaiian Plate
Mama's Stuffed Fish
Guava Cheesecake
The perfect end to a busy day of exploring the hidden wonders of the Hawaiian rainforest. You will likely be exhausted, but it will be a day well-worth your time. The sights, sounds, and memories from the Road to Hana are nothing like you have ever experienced before. Even if you don't quite make it to all of the stops on your list, you are bound to see something magical. Be ready for it.
Hawaii has some of the most beautiful hikes in the country. The Waihee Ridge Trail does not disappoint. It is a 5-mile moderate trail (round trip) that ascends 1,500 feet through Jurassic-like terrain. One important tip: start your hike earlier in the day; you'll have a better chance of missing the heavy clouds that roll through as the day goes on.
The entrance does not look like much of a hiking trail. However, once you get past this steep road, you'll find refuge in a canopy of trees.
The start of the Waihee Ridge Trail. Because of the 1,500 ascent, you will be going uphill for the majority of the hike (until you make your way back down).
This breathtaking view of the valley is about one mile into your hike. A nice place to stop and catch your breath.
Another view of the valley
As you can see, the clouds are starting to catch up to us.
The higher you climb, the more likely you'll be walking in the clouds (literally). A fun adventure, nonetheless.
A great place to get away from the crowds and enjoy true peace and quiet. Most of the time, it felt as if we had the trail to ourselves.
Unfortunately, the clouds beat us to the top! We did not make it in time to see what spectacular view was waiting for us, but we did stop and sit at this picnic table before we made our descent.
If the beach doesn't do it for you, head to the mountains. You'll be sure to find your sense of wonder somewhere in between where the sky meets the sea.
Haleakala ("house of the sun") Crater is located in Haleakala National Park. It towers 10,023 feet above sea level, which makes it a popular place to watch the sunset and sunrise. Entrance to the National Park is $25 and valid for 3 days.
Also, if you plan to watch the sunrise here, you will need to make reservations ahead of time. We attempted to make reservations about two months prior to our trip and it was already booked. Luckily, you do not need to make reservations to watch the sunset from the summit.
Some tips before you go:
-Make sure you have a full tank of gas
-Take plenty of warm clothes (gloves, hat, jackets, blankets, etc) since the temperatures can drop below freezing
-Leave plenty of extra time to park and get a spot. Although no reservations are required to watch the sunset, the parking lot is small and does fill up fast.
Not only will you be driving through the clouds. Eventually, you will end up looking over the tops of them.
The drive to the Haleakala Summit is filled with lots of opportunities to pull over and capture the view.
There's a larger parking lot before you get to the top of the Summit, which is where you will find this visitor center. Don't pass it by, or you'll miss out on an incredible view...
View from the visitor center right below the Summit
The drive up to the Summit
Plenty of time to take in the view before sunset
There was a lot of cloud coverage, but we were still able to enjoy a small sliver of pink and orange as it lit up the night sky.
And just like that, the day was over. One of the best things about traveling is being able to experience everyday things in a new way. All it takes is a little exploration.
