The world famous Road to Hana is at the top of my list of Things to do in Maui by Land as it boasts some of the most incredible scenery on Maui with its untamed landscapes, rich history, secluded villages and towering waterfalls. The Road to Hana is a driving experience unique to Maui, making it a “must see” scenic adventure, but to truly enjoy this heavenly drive it is important to show it the proper respect it deserves.

Below are my tips on driving the Road to Hana that I want you to consider. It may even save your marriage. No, really! There is something about the Road to Hana that affects men especially. We hear about the 600 turns and 54 one-lane bridges and something in the deepest recesses of our psyche screams,

“I’M A MAN! I WILL CONQUER THIS ROAD!”

We get behind the wheel and go charging down the Hana highway trying to get to Hana as fast as we can, all the while our spouse is tossing up chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies. You finally arrive in Hana only to find a small, sleepy town. You ask yourself, “Where’s the pot of gold?” while your spouse is searching for a cell signal to contact her lawyer and file those divorce papers.

What’s happened is you’ve missed the whole point of the drive to Hana – it’s NOT how quickly you get there, it’s the journey.

Ah… you’ve already made this fatal mistake? Too late for some of you?

Then tell your family and friends about myBuddyonMaui and perhaps we can prevent the same misfortune from happening to them. Let’s all do our part to save the institution of marriage! Read on for my Road to Hana Survival Tips.

Tip#1 – Take a Guided Tour of the Road to Hana

There is so much to see while driving the Road to Hana that if you sneeze, you could miss something spectacular. Do yourself a huge favor and book a tour with a reputable tour guide company. We recommend Valley Isle Excursions.

Driving the Road to Hana without a guide, even an audio guide, would be like watching an incredible nature documentary unfolding before your eyes with the volume turned off. Having a knowledgeable tour guide narrating and pointing out all of the many scenic points of interest is highly preferable to the stress one normally experiences doing the driving themselves, because your eyes have to be trained on the road at all times.

Benefits of a Road to Hana Tour GuidE

• You get to relax while someone else does the driving
• Large Panoramic windows so you can see more of the beautiful landscape
• Learn from a knowledgeable and passionate guide
• Hawaiian Continental Breakfast including coffee to start your day right
• Hana Picnic Lunch – BBQ chicken, salads, breads, deserts and more are provided so you will have plenty of energy to enjoy a full afternoon of sightseeing and swimming on the Road to Hana
• Air-conditioned for your comfort
• Full Cooler of cold juices, sodas and water so you’ll always having something refreshing to drink
• Low carbon footprint – each tour means 2-6 less cars on the road
• Tour sizes are limited to 12 passengers so you don’t get lost in the crowd
• Lower divorce rates

SERIOUSLY! Valley Isle Excursions is the right choice when wanting to take the road to Hana. It will allow everyone to enjoy the scenery and probably save a marriage/relationship because it’s a LONG and strenuous road!
– Holly

Other features include:

• Swimming at the world renowned Oheo Gulch (Seven Pools)
• Stretch your legs on a hike up Oheo Gulch
• No doubling back. Your Road to Hana Tour continues through Kipahulu to see the gravesite of American hero, Charles Lindbergh at Palapala, the Kaupo Gap and Store, and on to Kula for a stop at the Tedeschi Winery for a bit of wine tasting

Tip#2 – Buy a Road to Hana Audio Guide

Despite my warnings and the obvious benefits that a guided Hana tour offers, you still wish to drive the Road to Hana on your own? You actually believe that your relationship is strong enough to weather the steep, sheer cliffs that wait around every twisted inch of narrow road with YOU behind the wheel?

You must be a guy.

Trust me, you are only fooling yourself, and this line of thinking inevitably leads down the treacherous path toward hours of counseling, but if you insist on driving the Road to Hana, then at the very least pickup a Road to Hana Audio Guide.

A Road to Hana Audio Guide is the next best thing to having a real, live guide in your vehicle, except he’s obviously not driving, and you can’t ask him any questions. The most important benefit of the Road to Hana Audio Guide is that it sets a reasonable driving pace, and prevents you from attempting to set any land speed records IF you adhere to the Road to Hana Audio Guide’s timeline.

Benefits of a Road to Hana Audio Guide

• Like having a real guide
• Doesn’t take up any space
• Travel at your leisure
• Smaller group size

So! Undeterred, huh? Perhaps your relationship is made of the same sturdy koa tree that possessed the early Hawaiian settlers who chose the path less traveled. I respect that. Let us continue with our Road to Hana tips then, and we will speak no more of broken hearts.

Tip#3 – No Trespassing

My wife and I spent many weekends in Hana when we were dating.  We enjoyed the unspoiled beauty, rich history, laidback lifestyle and friendly residents so much that we eventually married in Hana.

Hana holds a very special place in our hearts. For many others it is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life and a place to renew their spirits. While the people of Hana warmly welcome visitors, they do cherish their privacy and do not appreciate strangers trespassing on their property.

When visiting Hana please show a little courtesy and respect for this lovely oasis, especially for the people who call Hana their home.

Tip#4 – Driving Etiquette

Are you familiar with the local custom of removing your footwear before entering a home in Hawaii? Entering a home with your shoes on is considered disrespectful. A similar custom exists when driving the Road to Hana.

If you look up into your rearview mirror while driving the Road to Hana and find a vehicle kissing your bumper, it is customary to pull to the side of the road and let the vehicle pass. It is most likely a Hana resident.

You see, the residents of Hana know every square inch of pavement on the Road to Hana better than anybody, save maybe a few truckers. It would be unreasonable to expect them to follow you when they can do in 45 minutes what takes most people 2-3 hours.

This presents a wonderful opportunity

When you spot a local and pull over to let them pass, you may be treated to a rare appearance of the endangered and endemic Two-Finger Bird (aka Shaka sign).

The Shaka is the “local way” of expressing appreciation and goodwill as opposed to the foreign infestation one sees of the more common One-Finger Bird that continues to plague our beautiful islands these days.

By extending this small courtesy of pulling off the road for an anxious mom returning home to her children after a long days work, you are also helping to rescue the Two-Finger Bird from the brink of extinction.

Tip#5 – Pack a Picnic Lunch

There aren’t a lot of meal options along the Road to Hana, so it is a good idea to grab a cooler and pack a few sandwiches and bottled water. Bring cash too.

There are a few roadside stands along the Road to Hana that offer homegrown goodies like banana bread and fresh fruit cocktails. There’s even a stop that will cook up a killer fish stir-fry. Yum! Definately worth the effort to stop at a couple of these stands.

One of the last places you can grab a meal and supplies before beginning your journey is Paia. Located approximately 6 miles East of the Kahului Airport along the Road to Hana, this quaint little plantation town has blossomed over the years.

Paia offers an array of surf shops, boutiques, local artwork, and award-winning restaurants featuring fresh, organically-grown produce from local farmers. The atmosphere in Paia is always casual, so be sure to stop by.

Tip#6 – Fill ‘er Up!

Paia is the last place for you to get fuel along the Road to Hana until you get to Hana town. Fuel prices in Hana are high, so it’s best to fill up at the start of your trip.

Tip#7 – The Early Bird gets the Private Pool

Set the alarm and ask for a wakeup call. We leave at dawn! The Road to Hana is full of visitors throughout the day, especially between 9am – 11am. So leave early and beat the crowds.

Besides beating the crowds and having more leisure time at many of the scenic sights, leaving early also means getting back before it gets dark.

I don’t know about you, but driving the Road to Hana in the dark is not an appealing proposition. The Road to Hana is a difficult enough drive during the day. Besides, the whole point of making this journey is for the sightseeing, and you’re not going to see much in the dark.

Another benefit to an early start is that there isn’t any traffic driving out from Hana. Most people are still driving in to Hana while you’re heading home.

Tip#8 – Eh Brah! No Bug Me!

The Hawaiian Islands was once a true Garden of Eden. There were no poisonous, thorny plants or biting, stinging insects. Today’s Hawaii is quite a different story. Mosquitoes, flies and other biting insects are abundant in the Rainforests of Hana.

Apply liberal amounts of bug spray to protect yourself from these biting insects, and be sure you have enough to reapply after swimming in the pools.

Tip#9 – I Shutter to Think what Might have Happened

Bring a camera or camcorder for your Road to Hana journey and make sure you have lots of film and space on your memory card (Do they still make film?).

Be sure everything is charged and bring extra batteries. You don’t want to come across a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity only to discover your battery is dead.

Tip#10 – It’s a Rainforest after all

East Maui is one of the wettest places on the island, so it is not uncommon to experience rainfall on your Road to Hana journey. Purchasing rain gear may be a bit much, but you should at least have an extra towel. Hiking shoes would be a good idea too as it provides extra security and protection as you cross slippery streambeds and hike along shrub-covered trails.

Trudging around in a rainforest with an umbrella is just… wrong. But I suppose it would come in handy standing in line to order a fish stir-fry.

Tip#11 – Expect the Unexpected

The same rain that brings an abundance of life and beauty to Hana can also bring disaster. Road closures due to landslides, fallen trees or car accidents may happen at any time.

Call the County of Maui’s Road Closure Advisory Line at Phone: (808) 986-1200 before heading out on the Road to Hana and save yourself a trip if the road’s closed.

Another good idea would be to check the National Weather Service to see what the forecast is for Hana. Don’t be disheartened by the “scattered showers” forecast. THIS IS NORMAL!

It’s ridiculous how much stock people put into weather forecasting. It’s like a cult. People are literally paralyzed with uncertainty if the forecast calls for something other than perfectly blue, cloudless, windless weather. There are almost always a few clouds in the sky. It rains daily in some parts of the island and without our wonderful Tradewinds we’d be roasting! I mean SERIOUSLY, why do… (Ahem!) Sorry for my outburst. Questions about the weather, as you may have guessed, are a touchy subject with me.

Anyway, what you are looking for in the forecast are flash floods. Otherwise, enjoy the Road to Hana. Follow this link for the weather in Hana: Hana Weather Forecast

I believe Smart Phone users can access weather information here: http://cell.weather.gov/

Tip#12 – Places to Stay in Hana

If you find yourself stuck on the Hana-side of the Road to Hana due to a road closure, you may have to spend the night. A blessing if you ask me. It’ll give you time to really appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. If camping is not your thing, you have options.

Here are a few numbers you’ll want to plug into your cell phone just in case you need a place to stay:

• Travaasa Hotel Hana: (808) 248-8211
• Hana Kai Maui: (808) 248-8426
• Ala Aina Ocean Vista: (808) 248-7824
• Tradewind Cottages: 808-248-8980

Cell reception is poor to non-existent along most of the Road to Hana, but you should get a strong enough signal once you reach Hana Town. These places may be able to put you up for the night.

Tip#13 – Practice Safe Sacks

Please don’t litter. Bring a trash bag and leave nothing behind.

You wouldn’t walk into your friend’s home and put out your cigarette on their living room floor. Neither would you throw your water bottle or food wrapper into their swimming pool and leave it there for someone else to clean.

So please extinguish your cigarettes properly and place it and the rest of your ‘opala (trash) in a trash bag for disposal when you get back to your home, hotel, condominium or vacation rental. Mahalo!

By the way, you may see the word Mahalo on trash cans. It means Thank You, not Trash.

Tip#14 – Have a Game Plan

There’s way more to explore along the Road to Hana than you will have time for in one visit, so don’t beat yourself up trying.

Make a plan in advance to visit only a few key scenic points of interest. Take a hike through the bamboo forest. Swim at one or two waterfalls. If you find that you are making good time, another hike may be in order.

Remember, it’s not how quickly you get there, it’s the journey.

Don’t be like so many who rush from one site to another, never truly appreciating the magnificence surrounding them. At myBuddyonMaui, we want you to build memories, not simply check things off your to-do list.

Tip#15 – Beware of Falling Rocks

Gravity works equally as well on the Road to Hana as in other parts of Maui.

Falling rocks are common along the Hana highway due to erosion making your drive even more challenging, so please exercise caution while driving.

The same holds true when hiking into a valley or swimming under a waterfall. The chance of being injured by falling rocks is uncommon, but there has been at least one fatality recently.

Bottom line: play it safe and don’t take chances.

Tip#16 – Stay ON the Beaten Path

Stick to the main path when hiking and avoid the temptation to veer off. A well-traveled path is a good indication that the ground is solid and safe to walk. If you deviate off the path, you can easily become disoriented and get lost due to the thick undergrowth. Worse, you could fall off the path and get hurt.

Look for solid ground when pulling off to the side of the road to take pictures, especially on the ocean-side of the Road to Hana. Shrubs and tall grass can conceal many unseen dangers. Always pay attention to your surroundings!

Tip#17 – Don’t leave Valuables in the Car

Sadly, crime occurs even in paradise. Leave your valuables at home or the hotel and only bring what you really need like a camera and cell phone, and of course the other things I mentioned earlier.

When you leave the car take your valuables with you. Open the glove compartment and make sure everything else left in the car is clearly visible. Don’t try to hide anything under a towel! It looks like you’re hiding something of value under it.

If a thief sees you have nothing of value hiding in your car, there’s a good chance he’ll leave it alone. Don’t give the thief a chance to make you a victim.

Tip#18 – Look before you Leap!

You’ve seen pictures of people preparing to dive into pools from the top of a waterfall. There have been fatalities because people failed to climb into the pool and check how deep it is before jumping. It is impossible to see the depth of these pools from the surface.

Even locals make this mistake, especially if it’s a spot they’ve been going to for years along the Road to Hana. Heavy river activity can wash debris into the pool which can entangle and snare you. Boulders are another problem.

Many years back I was on the island of Molokai preparing to jump from the top of a waterfall. An invisible force took hold of me and I was frozen in place. No it wasn’t fear. I had made jumps like this many times before.

After regaining control of myself, I climbed back down and went for a swim in the pool instead and discovered something that really freaked me out. Apparently there had been a landslide recently that dumped tons of boulders into the pool. The boulders were just inches from the surface, but I was unable to see them. If I had jumped in…

Tip#19 – I really, really, REALLY gotta go!

The Keanae Peninsula is at the halfway point on your journey of the Road to Hana and should not be missed. A real gem. Not only does it present visitors with unsurpassed beauty and a rich history, but it has the cleanest bathrooms anywhere along the Road to Hana!

Oh! And if you do utilize the facilities, leave it as clean as you found it. In fact, leave it better. This may sound weird, but bringing an unopened roll of toilet paper to leave there makes a nice donation.

By the way, Kane in Hawaii is for Men and Wahine for Women.

Tip#20 – Don’t Turn Your Back to the Ocean

If you go anywhere near the coast to take pictures, don’t get too close to the water’s edge, and Never, Ever, turn your back to the Ocean.

You may think it’s a cool idea to get a shot with the spray of the ocean crashing against the rocks behind you, but large waves can suddenly surge onto the rocky shoreline without warning. The ocean has claimed many victims this way.

Tip#21 – 600+ Hairpin turns and 54 One Lane Bridges

According to Wikipedia there are 59 bridges along the Road to Hana. While that may be true, I grew up singing, “54 Bridges to Hana Town,” and that is the version I’m sticking to.

If you’d like to hear the song for yourself, check it out HERE.

Now, for those of you who are in any way prone to motion sickness, you really should consider taking something for it. Even if you are unsure, it is better to play it safe and take something before driving the Road to Hana. There are many over-the-counter products to choose from and they are readily available at most convenience stores.

I should have placed this tip near the top of the list. Motion sickness from driving the Road to Hana is one of the leading causes of divorces!

Tip#22 – Live Aloha!

For people who live all along the Road to Hana, it is their backyard. They are a friendly people (How can you not be when you live in Hana?), but many enjoy their privacy and prefer to be left alone. Always be polite and wave or acknowledge them. If one of the locals waves back, it’s probably ok to “Talk Story” with him. It is awesome to find a person like this who is willing to share his knowledge and history of his backyard with you.

I believe the true Spirit of Aloha is a two-way street – one giving freely of his time, gifts and talents, the other, not expecting or wanting, accepts with grace and humility.

Now off you go on your Road to Hana journey, and Go Live Aloha!