Hana is a secluded coastal town on Maui's eastern shore, celebrated for its lush rainforest valleys, black sand beaches, and deeply rooted Hawaiian culture.
Hana sits at the eastern end of Maui, Hawaii, cradled by the Ko'olau Forest Reserve and the Pacific Ocean. Long before tourism arrived, it was a place of deep cultural importance, home to Hawaiian royalty and sustained by fertile land that still supports taro farming today.
Visitors come for the landscape: tiered waterfalls, volcanic coastline, and jungle trails draped in heliconia and bamboo. Waiʻanapanapa State Park offers one of the most striking beaches in the state, where jet-black lava sand meets turquoise surf. The Kipahulu section of Haleakala National Park, just south of town, draws hikers to the Ohe'o Gulch pools and the trail to Waimoku Falls.
The town itself is small and deliberately low-key. Hasegawa General Store has served the community for generations and remains a reliable stop for supplies and local color. Simple roadside stands offer fresh fruit and plate lunches that reflect the area's multicultural roots.
Hana rewards travelers who slow down, stay overnight, and let the landscape set the rhythm. It is one of the few places in Hawaii where the natural and cultural fabric of the islands remains largely intact.
Visit during the early morning hours to experience the Road to Hana before tour vans fill the narrow bridges and pullouts.
Try the taro-based foods at the local stand near Hasegawa General Store, a longtime community staple.
Bring cash, as options for card payments are limited in and around Hana.
Walk the short trail to Waianapanapa State Park to see the dramatic black sand beach and sea caves up close.
Spend at least one night in Hana to experience the town after day-trippers have left and the valley falls quiet.
Ride a Polaris Slingshot to Hana with built-in navigation and 24 hours to explore
Customize your Road to Hana day with hikes, waterfalls, and beach stops
Ride the Road to Hāna with local guides from Hāna
Tour the reverse Road to Hana by private Bronco, with waterfalls, farms, and black sand beach
Private Road to Hana day tour with waterfalls, Black Sand Beach, and Ho'okipa Beach Park
Go private on the Road to Hana with waterfalls, black sand beach, and local stops
Experience a helicopter flight and private Hana tour to see waterfalls, rainforest, and a black sand beach
Take a private Road to Hāna drive with flexible stops in 8–10 hours
Tour the Road to Hana by luxury SUV with a certified guide
Ride the Road to Hana in a private SUV with a certified guide and lunch included
Ride the Road to Hana by private SUV with a certified guide