One of the most popular day trips on Maui is a trip to Hana - and beyond - on the Hana Highway. The road to Hana offers some of the most beautiful scenery found anywhere, but remember, the road is long and winding, taking about 2 to 3 hours from Kahului Airport depending on how often you stop. Farming is still a way of life on the Keanae peninsula, and you will see plenty of taro and pineapple fields, both very important staples of the Hawaiian way of life. The shoreline is rugged and beautiful, and you can walk along the shore, but be cautious because large waves can appear out of nowhere. The Keanae Arboretum offers a tranquil stream and swimming pond, as well as an easy walk through lush gardens into the rainforest, which contains an astounding variety of exotic flora including guava, papaya, birds of paradise, ginger and heliconia blossoms.
As you drive on, you’ll see water trickling out of the hillside through ferns and soft moss, and countless mini-cascades finding their way to the sea. Just before Hana, take a short drive down to Wainapanapa State Park. It's a short walk to a wonderful black sand beach where you can hike among small caves that are actually freshwater springs. This area is perfect for sunbathing and snorkeling (if the ocean’s not too rough), or relaxing beneath the palm trees. Swimming is only recommended for the strongest of swimmers.
Hana, at the end of the “Road to Hana,” is a charming slice of old Hawaii. There are several bed and breakfasts, a luxury resort hotel, a few restaurants and numerous interesting sites within the city limits. Hana Bay has a large black sand beach, which is the result of lava eroding and washing into the ocean from a nearby stream. The area is well protected a safe place to swim. The Hana Cultural Center contains many artifacts as well as the recently built Kauhale O Hana, which is an authentic Hawaiian living complex exhibiting housing and gardens of pre-Christian Hawaii. The Hana Maui Botanical Gardens includes 20 of the 27 Polynesian Canoe Plants, a newly planted Hawaiian Native area and a fascinating number of flowers and fruits from tropical areas of the world. There are both self-guided as well as guided tours by availability or appointment. It is open daily from 9-5.
You will need to travel another 45 minutes or so down the road to reach Oheo Gulch, better known as the "Seven Sacred Pools." The land where the Seven Sacred Pools are situated is in the Haleakala National Park system and open to the public. There is swimming, hiking, historical sites, and for the brave of heart, cliff jumping at certain times of the year.
|
