The Road to Hana, Maui Part 3 of 3

If you are feeling adventurous, one of the really special places to visit on this trip is called “Blue Pool”. I know I've described a lot of waterfall/pool locations on this trip but this is the one! With the tiered waterfall on one side and a clear view of the ocean on the other, it is truly spectacular. As you come to mile marker 31, you will come to Ula'ino Road . Turn off here and follow this windy, largely unpaved road for about 3 miles. Please drive slowly as locals live here and their pets like to walk out in front of you. The road will dead end at a stream which you can usually jump across. The locals like to charge you a few dollars to park here which is fine as it keeps the peace. The falls are around the corner from the stream.

When you start, once again, down the road to Hana, you will pass the Hana Airport on your right. This is a very small, community type airport. I have been told that the powered hang glider rides out of this airport and along the Hana coast line are thrilling but I don't think I'll ever find out personally.

Wai'anapanapa Park (Why-a-na-pa na-pa) comes up just past mile marker 32. The park here is very nice, well maintained and clean. The have picnic tables, restroom, you can camp here and they even offer cabins for rent. Instead of the usual white sand beaches you find on the islands, the beach here is a volcanic black sand beach. The contrasts of the white surf, lush greenery and black sand make for some nice pictures if you pull out the old black and white film here. The other nice feature here is the two spring-fed freshwater caves. The water is actually mixed with seawater so it is brackish but amazingly clear. You can go for a dip here and explore the loop trail that circles the caves.

As stated at the start of this article, this is not a trip to be in a hurry on. You are now in Hana which can only be appreciated in a slow leisurely fashion. Hana is generally sunny with the mountains trapping the clouds. It rains but usually only in short bursts. Don't be surprised if some or all of the businesses in town are closed, it seems to happen for any happen circumstance. While in and around Hana, you should check out the following:

Hana Bay. Eroded lava has formed a large, black sand beach around the bay. Always check with the locals first for safety but swimming here is usually pretty good. The Hana Pier is located on the right side of the bay. There is a trail near the pier that leads you along Ka'uiki Hill. If you walk this trail for about 200 yards, you will come to an interesting spot known as Red Sand Pocket Beach . Lava contains iron. The red color of the area comes from the iron in the lava being exposed to air and moisture and basically rusting.

Red Sand Beach . This beach is located on the other side of Ka'uiki Hill. Red Sand Beach or “Kaihalulu” is made up of the red lava cinders that make up Ka'uiki Hill. Few walk here from Hana Bay but rather drive down Uakea road past Hana Bay and park where it dead ends at Hauoli Road . The trail down to the beach is found by passing through the lawn area across from the Sea Ranch Cottages. Walk to the right hand corner of this lawn you will find the trail leading down to the beach. The trail down to this beach has loose footing and should be walked with caution. At the bottom of the trail here you will find a sign which states “no trespassing” and then “use at your own risk”. I think this is mostly because the water here is usually very turbulent and not recommended for swimming or snorkeling. With all this going against you, why bother? Again, it's just pretty and interesting. There are lots of contrasts here with the variety of colors in the sand, hard jagged lava fingers extending into the soft blue Pacific.

If you hop back onto the main road, you will find out that it is now highway 31 and the mile markers start at 51 and begin to go down again. About two-thirds of the way between mile marker 51 and 50, you will see Haneoo Raod to your left. Turn left onto this raod and you will come to Koki Beach in about ½ mile. This beach offers a mixture of the red, black and white sand. I've seen folks boogie boarding here in the past but do not know how safe the swimming is. The large hill next to the beach is known as Ka Iwi o Pele which is rumoured to be the resting place for the bones of the volcano goddess Pele.

Continuing down Haneoo Road , you will find Hamoa Beach . Homao Beach is best known for it's excellent body surfing. The sand in the middle of the beach is stacked up and provides a soft landing. The sea floor apparently drops off steeply a little ways out which provides consistent waves as well. Again, this type of activity can be dangerous and I cannot recommend it in this article.

At this point, follow Haneoo Road back up to highway 31, turn left and drive until you reach mile marker 42. Called Ohe'o Gulch and less formally know as the 7 Sacred Pools this is one of the road's premier attractions. Park in the lot just past mile marker 42. The trail from the parking lot is an easy trail of about ½ mile in length. The 7 Sacred Pools offers more falls, easy swimming and great people watching as some of the more daring folks jump from rock platforms.

Sea arches are common along the coastline along the Road to Hana. They are formed when the hot lava flowed into the cool pacific and hardened on contact. An excellent example of this is the Pokowai Sea Arch which can be viewed from the road just past mile marker 29. There are several turn outs here to stop and take photos.

It's been a long day now and I hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your day. Please drive home safely!

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