Maui’s Road to Hana turns 100—here’s how to experience Hawaii’s most iconic highway
2026 marks 100 years since the Hana Highway's completion. As it enters its second century—and Maui rebuilds after devastating fires—travelers are being asked to experience the journey with greater care.
I was four years old the first time my parents packed my one-year-old brother and me into the back of—what my dad maintains was a red, and my mom maintains was a white—Mustang convertible and set off on a family road trip along Maui’s iconic Road to Hāna. Threading its way through lush rainforest canopies, past countless waterfalls, and over 50 one-lane bridges and 620 hairpin curves, this serpentine highway turns 100 this year.
As Maui rebuilds in the wake of the Lahaina fires and grapples with overtourism, the Road to Hāna is entering a pivotal chapter that raises important questions not only about how travelers experience this remarkable destination, but how they can help protect it.
(Maui is calling visitors back in 2026. Here’s how to visit responsibly.)
The most legendary highway on Earth
Long before it became synonymous as one of the world’s most iconic road trips, the Road to Hāna served as a lifeline for communities along Maui’s remote eastern coastline. For centuries, Hawaiians traveled the region on footpaths that wound through rainforest and along sea cliffs, part of an ancient trail network connecting fishing villages. In the 16th century, Maui’s ruling sovereign, Piʻilani, began constructing a lava-stone path known as the Ala-loa, or “long road,” to link communities across East Maui, which his son later extended into the Hāna district.
The route began to take shape in the late 19th century, when plantation agriculture expanded, and irrigation projects diverted East Maui’s abundant rainfall to sugar fields in central Maui. Officials carved a wagon road through the rugged landscape, building bridges across deep gulches and waterfalls in a massive engineering effort. The highway officially opened to cars in 1926, following years of labor-intensive construction largely carried out by prison laborers, Hawaiians, and immigrant workers.
The Road to Hāna—which in Hawaiian translates to ‘rainy land, low-lying sky,’—was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001, and continues to be one of Maui’s most popular pastimes.
Essential stops on the Road to Hāna
Pa’ai: The Road to Hāna starts in earnest in the town of Pa’ia. Located on Maui's North Shore, Pa’ia is a charming town with excellent restaurants and boutiques, and is also a good place to fill up on gas before you head out. Mana Foods is a grocery store, deli, and bakery that opens daily at 8 a.m. If you’re planning on hitting the road early, stock up on snacks the night before at Foodland, which is one of the best locally owned grocery store chains on the island. Pro Tip: Walk around and enjoy dinner in Paia on your drive back.
Ho’okipa Beach Lookout: Ho’okipa Beach is a great place to stop and watch the surfers, and it's less than 10 minutes, or just over two miles, from downtown Pa’ai. If you’re lucky, Hawaiian green sea turtles like to nest along the shoreline here. It’s free to enter, and there’s usually plenty of parking in the upper and lower parking lots. Lock your car and take care of your belongings at every stop along the Hāna Highway.
Twin Falls: At Mile Marker 2, Twin Falls is the first (and one of the most popular) stops to go for a swim. The name is a bit of a misnomer, as there are actually three waterfalls you can hike to here, each of which is considered an easy to moderate hike. If you’re pressed for time, the lower waterfall is a beautiful spot to swim; otherwise it’s about a 25-minute walk each way to the upper falls. If the lot is full, which tends to happen in the afternoon, plan on stopping here on your drive back. There’s a $10 parking fee, and the bathrooms are basic, so plan accordingly, especially if you plan to swim—remember your water shoes.
Ke'anea Peninsula: It’s about a 15-minute detour to Ke'anea Peninsula, but the detour is worth it for the views along the rocky coastline. If you get there early enough, Aunty Sandy’s is a popular spot to pick up some banana bread. Pro tip: Aunty’s banana bread sells out quickly, so if you don’t get it here, don’t fret. Halfway To Hāna Stand offers their version of “world famous banana bread,” and is a great place to stop, stretch, and snap am obligatory halfway point pic.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park: A visit to the black sand beaches at Waiʻānapanapa State Park is a must, especially for first time visitors. There’s a coastal trail that winds its way through volcanic rock, past sea arches, blowholes, and tide pools before opening onto one of Maui’s most striking black sand beaches. It’s important to note that the park operates on a timed-entry system and is only accessible by making a reservation in advance, so be sure to plan accordingly. If you plan on hiking, you’ll want a pair of closed-toed shoes.
Nahiku Marketplace: If you’ve made it to Nahiku Marketplace, that means you’re almost to Hana Town. This is a great spot to try authentic huli huli chicken paired with an Aloha Made pineapple soda and pick up some local souvenirs.
Pīpīwai trail & Seven Sacred Pools: At ʻOheʻo Gulch, also referred to as the Seven Sacred Pools, travelers will find one of East Maui’s most beautiful hikes at the Pīpīwai Trail, a lush four-mile put-and-back hike that winds through towering bamboo forests and past cascading waterfalls to Waimoku Falls. Pro tip: If you’re staying in Hana, arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and check conditions before swimming as flash flooding can occur in the pools after heavy rain upstream.
(How can tourists help Maui recover? Here’s what locals say.)
Welcome to Hāna Town
Hāna is a far cry from the buzzy resort towns on the other side of Maui. On your way into town, stop at Hāna Farms Roadside Stand for oven-baked pizza (gluten-free is also available) and a gift shop with everything from locally made pikake oil to artwork and handcrafts.
Hāna-Maui Resort, a Destination by Hyatt hotel, is a family friendly property that offers ocean-facing bungalows, a swoon-worthy pool, a three-hole golf course, and a wonderful on-site restaurant. For breakfast, don’t miss the loco moco, a hearty Hawaiian comfort dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, fried egg, and slathered in gravy.
There are a handful of excellent local food trucks in the heart of Hāna, as well as Thai-fusion at Ae’s Thai Kitchen, fresh juice, smoothies, and acai bowls at Hāna Juice Box, and freshly brewed coffee at Da Mean Bean. Hasegawa General Store is a great spot to pick up basic necessities, and Ti &Coco and I Love Hana Art are both wonderful, eco-friendly boutiques.
What to know before you hit the road
Like any road trip, a little preparation goes a long way. If you’re planning to do the drive in one day, you’ll want to start on the early side to maximize daylight and beat the crowds. Staying in Hana Town will give you a bit more flexibility and time to linger at stops along the way.
If you’re doing a self-driving tour, download ShakaGuide’s Classic Road to Hāna audio tour to give you the history and context of the places to stop along the way. Be sure to check the road conditions to avoid closures and detours that might delay your journey. Otherwise, consider booking with a local tour company like Maui By Storm.
Do: Pack a cooler with snacks, water, and whatever else you think you’ll want or need. If you tend to get car sick, plan to take anti-nausea medication before you go, and keep plenty of ginger chews on hand. Don’t: Have a big breakfast before you go. There are plenty of places to stop for food, drinks, and snacks along the way.
Do: Bring plenty of cash for roadside farm stands, food trucks, coconuts, and other local knick-knacks you might want to pick up along the way. Don’t: Rely solely on using your credit card.
Do: If you’re planning on renting a Jeep or convertible for the drive, it’s better to reserve as far in advance as possible, as premium cars tend to go faster than regular cars and SUVs. Don’t: Leave the rental car facility without making sure your phone can connect to Bluetooth. Wi-Fi along the Hāna Highway can be spotty to nonexistent, so make sure you pre-program any maps and have your music and podcasts downloaded before you go.
(Hawaii's Lei Day is about so much more than flowers)
