Do you dream of just driving down the coast of Hawaii’s island of Maui at your own pace, looking at the gorgeous scenery as you go? What’s stopping you? When you are on your vacation to the islands, get in your car, put down the top and take a ride along Maui’s Hāna Highway, a 64-mile long stretch of Hawaii Routes 36 and 360, which connects Kahului with the town of Hāna.

If you would rather have someone else do the driving so you can focus more on the scenery, there are guided tours of the road to Hana available as well. Either way, you definitely do not want to miss this picturesque ride.

Along the way, you can hang ten and see some of the coolest waves around at Ho’okipa, a beach on the north shore of Maui, where surfers and windsurfers are practicing their tricks. You can stop for a day and also enjoy the waters at Hamoa Beach or settle down for a picnic at Koki Beach (from what we have heard the rip currents are pretty intense here, so you may not want to swim).

There are great lookout points along the route to snap some amazing pictures, including Wai’anapanapa State Park which has its Pa’iloa Beach, as well as Kaumahina State Wayside Park and the Wailua Overlook at Wailua Valley State Wayside Park. You can also get a great view of the falls at the bridge at Hanawai Falls.

If you prefer to walk or hike the land, check out the Waikamoi Ridge Trail, which has two loops that you can trek at your own pace. There is also a loop trail at Wai’anapanapa State Park and you can explore caves here as well.

When you want a break for food and perhaps to pick up souvenirs from your adventure, the Nahiku MarketPlace and the Kaupo General Store are two places you’ll want to visit. Bring some snacks though, because there aren’t too many places to find noshes along the way.

The Road to Hana has so much to see on this trek that you probably can’t get out and enjoy everything in one day, so you might want to plan a few trips. You can also purchase a guidebook to the area and pick out the spots you definitely want to see. Most importantly, this isn’t one of those really easy rides that you can just coast and enjoy. It’s filled with twists and turns and can be a little cumbersome, so don’t try it for the first time in the dark. If you’re uncertain, then leave the driving in someone else’s hands.

Jody’s Travel Inc