Attractions in and around Hana
Hana Highway: Forget all those stories of needing a 4-wheel drive. The Hana Highway drive along the North shore of Maui is smoothly paved now. It is the most beautiful 56 miles(from Kahului to Hana) of drive that most people will ever see. Where else can you see waterfalls next to a Highway? You will not even have to exit your car to see some Waterfalls pouring from the cliffs above.
Rainforests, Parks and Gardens: The wayside parks along the Hana Highway are a great place to stop and stretch your legs. Isn't it time you planned a picnic in a Rainforest? If you don't feel like strolling the Rainforests, there are scenic overlooks to snap great pictures of the majestic blue sea.
Hana Maui Botanical Gardens: A peaceful setting for your picnic lunch.
Oheo Gulch - Haleakala National Park: Formerly known as Seven Sacred Pools. These Lava Pool formations were once home of a thriving ancient Hawaiian culture. This National Park encompasses over 100 fresh water pools and spectacular waterfalls of Oheo Stream. Thousands of acres of bamboo forests and fruit scented jungles provide the perfect location to hike, swim and explore the tropical beauty of Hana.
Waianapanapa State Park: Black sand beach with a Hawaiian legend about fresh water caves.
Haleakala National Park: The dry, red barren upper slopes of Haleakala are otherworldly in the context of the green leafy tangle of plants so characteristic of Maui generally. At 10,000 feet above the warm and dreamy Pacific, Haleakala stands in sharp contrast to the balmy lowlands.
Kahanu Garden: Pi'ilanihali Heiau (largest heiau in the state) - a collection of culturally important plants.
Waterfalls:
Hana Waterfall: One of the many that you will see along your drive to Hana. The larger ones are located a short hike in the Rainforest. When hiking, wear some old tennis shoes with light comfortable clothing and a bring along a backpack with water and lunch. A beach towel and bathing suit will come in handy if you dare to swim under a waterfall or two. This is an experience of rejuvenation. Don't forget the camera.
Wailua Falls: 95 foot waterfall right off the Hana Highway.
Beaches:
Kokee Beach: A spectacular beach with a setting out of South Pacific. Primarily a surfing, body surfing and sunning beach.
Hamoa Beach: Located just up the street for great swimming.
Red Sand Beach: This secluded beach cove gets it's name from the cinder cone volcanic crumbled lava rocks that make the cove and nearby mountains that are now cliffs from natural erosion. On quiet still days you can hear the pebbles fall from the cliff every few minutes, slowly making the cove bigger and bigger. The reddish rust color of the sand comes from the high amount of iron that was running in the lava at the time it gushed from the center of the earth.
Kaihalulu Beach: Known for its red cinder beach and lagoons.
Museums and Cultural Centers:
Hale Waiwai o Hana (Hana's Cultural Center & Museum): Hana's museum is home to a small display of ancient Hawaiian artifacts, stone tools, shells, and a collection of antique Chinese and Japanese bottles. It also houses a beautiful example of the traditional Hawaiian quilt. Next door to the Museum & Cultural Center is Hana's original jail and court house built in 1871 and refurbished in 1989 to look much like it did in the 19th century. It is still used monthly for county court sessions. Also located on the grounds are examples of traditional Hawaiian grass hale (houses), including a meeting house, a sleeping house, a cooking house, and a canoe house. Open daily. Admission is free; however, a donation is suggested.
Hana Cultural Center: The center contains a museum with a historical courthouse and a collection of old Hawaiian artifacts and photos, and provides a history of the region.
Hana artifacts: The recently built Kauhale O Hana which is an authentic Hawaiian living complex exhibiting housing and gardens of pre-contact Hawaii.
Activities in Hana
Tours and Trails:
Self-guided tours to see the Pi'ilanihali Heiau (largest heiau in the state) and learn about culturally important plants.
You also have the option to tour the Hana coast by horse.
Self-guided cave tours through Maui's largest underground lava tube system.
Ha'o'u Biking and Hiking Tours: Local Hawaiian tour guide will take you to Hana's points of interest and also give you insight in the Hawaiian culture.
Hiking Trails: A 45-minute drive from Hana is the lower part of Haleakala National Park. This scenic area offers hiking trails and the famous Seven Sacred Pools which are open for swimming, weather permitting.
Coastal Trail This spectacular, easy walk takes you from Hana Accommodations, past the amazing Waioka Pool, along towering sea cliffs, remote Black Sand Beach, the ruins of an old Sugar Mill, ending up at picture perfect Hamoa Beach.
Hang Gliding: Powered hang gliding flights at the Hana Airport - fly with an instructor above Hana's beautiful coastline. You can also enjoy glider rides at Hana Airport.
Horseback Riding: Maui Stables (Kipahulu) have the facilities for historical and cultural horesback tour into the Haleakala National Park which is accompanied by native Hawaiian guides.
Other activities include: Tennis, biking. You can have Yoga and Aqua Aerobics classes. You can go for sportfishing. You can enjoy body-surfing, swimming, and snorkeling, or simply taking in the natural beauty of Hana's most celebrated beach, Hamoa Beach. You can swim in the Red Sand Beach and also enjoy the sunning. you can also have the options like kayaking and snorkeling while you are in Hana.
Festivals and Events in and around Hana:
17th Annual East Maui Taro Festival (April 25 - 26, 2009): Festival at Hana Ball Park.
First Fridays (Aug 7, 2009 - Dec 4, 2009) (Wailuku, Maui): First Friday block party on Market Street!
48 Hour Film Project (August 15 - August 17, 2009) (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA).
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November 06 - November 15, 2009) (Kailua Kona, Hawaii, USA).
Maui's Parade of Whales (Feb 20, 2010): An annual community parade to kick-off the Whale Day celebration.
Maui's Whale Day Celebration (Feb 20, 2010): An all-day celebration in the park in honor of Maui's humpback whales.
Kona Brewers Festival (March 13, 2010) (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, USA).
Big Island Film Festival (May 13 - May 16, 2010) (Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA).
