The Road to Hana in 2 Days: Waimoku Falls and the Black Sand Beach
Garden of Eden Arboretum · Wailua Falls · Waiʻānapanapa State Park · Hanawi Falls · Seven Sacred Pools · Hamoa Beach
2-day United States trip — Haiku to Hana. Day-by-day route, attractions and food.
Hana offers dense rainforests and steep, cliff-hugging coastal roads that define the North Shore experience. Choosing this over a standard resort-focused trip to Waikiki secures a landscape dominated by waterfalls and black sand beaches instead of concrete high-rises and crowded shopping strips. This route suits travelers who prefer rugged, isolated wilderness over curated tourist infrastructure.
Haiku
Wailua Falls
Day 1 · Waterfalls and Natural Pools
Waiʻānapanapa State Park
Day 1 · Coastal Beaches and State Parks
Garden of Eden Arboretum
Day 1 · Botanical Gardens and Arboretums
Hana
Hanawi Falls
Day 2 · A Remote Waterfall Hike
Pick travel dates to see the weather for your month.
Hana stays warm and humid year-round, with persistent rain that keeps the landscape lush. Focus your outdoor plans for the mornings, as afternoon showers are a near-daily occurrence.
Best time to go: Winter and early spring
The whole year
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sunrise – sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 78°F / 26°C | 65°F / 18°C | 16 | 7:03 AM – 6:03 PM |
| Feb | 79°F / 26°C | 65°F / 18°C | 19 | 6:53 AM – 6:22 PM |
| Mar | 79°F / 26°C | 66°F / 19°C | 22 | 6:32 AM – 6:33 PM |
| Apr | 79°F / 26°C | 68°F / 20°C | 23 | 6:05 AM – 6:42 PM |
| May | 81°F / 27°C | 68°F / 20°C | 23 | 5:46 AM – 6:54 PM |
| Jun | 82°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | 24 | 5:43 AM – 7:06 PM |
| Jul | 83°F / 28°C | 71°F / 22°C | 27 | 5:52 AM – 7:07 PM |
| Aug | 83°F / 28°C | 72°F / 22°C | 26 | 6:03 AM – 6:53 PM |
| Sep | 84°F / 29°C | 71°F / 22°C | 23 | 6:11 AM – 6:26 PM |
| Oct | 83°F / 28°C | 71°F / 21°C | 22 | 6:19 AM – 5:59 PM |
| Nov | 81°F / 27°C | 69°F / 21°C | 21 | 6:34 AM – 5:42 PM |
| Dec | 79°F / 26°C | 67°F / 20°C | 22 | 6:53 AM – 5:45 PM |
- Morning
8:00 AM - Road Trip from Haiku to Hana· 1 hr 43 min
USD 40Drive the scenic Road to Hana with stops at waterfalls, bridges, and coastal outlooks.
- Afternoon
12:45 PM - Lunch: Poke Bowl in Haiku· 1 hr
USD 15Iconic dish
Daderot (CC0)Fresh ahi poke bowl from a roadside stand enjoyed overlooking the tropical landscape.
Typical USD 10-18
- Evening
7:30 PM - Dinner: Plate Lunch in Hana· 1 hr
USD 15Iconic dish
christian razukas from Honolulu, Hawaii (CC BY-SA 2.0)Hearty dinner of teriyaki chicken, rice, and macaroni salad reflecting local plantation-era traditions.
Typical USD 10-15
Where to Stay Tonight
Hana Town
· Staying in Hana provides easy access to early morning beach walks and hiking trails before day-trippers arrive.🛣️Interesting Detours for your Road Trip
- Morning
8:00 AM - Drive from Haiku to Hana· 1 hr 45 min
USD 50Drive 64 km along the winding Road to Hana, passing rainforests, waterfalls, and coastal lookouts. This journey takes about 1 hour 45 minutes of active driving.
11:00 AM - Snack: Shave Ice in Hana· 30 min
USD 6Iconic dish
Pacamah (CC BY-SA 4.0)Cool off with tropical fruit syrup-topped shaved ice from a roadside stand.
Typical USD 4-7
- Afternoon
12:00 PM - Lunch: Poke Bowl in Hana· 1 hr
USD 22Iconic dishDaderot (CC0)Enjoy fresh local fish with soy sauce and seaweed at a casual outdoor spot.
Typical USD 10-18
- Evening
7:00 PM - Dinner: Mochiko Chicken in Hana· 1 hr
USD 25Try crispy, sweet-savory fried chicken, a local favorite dinner.
Typical USD 7-12
Where to Stay Tonight
Hana Town
· Staying in Hana allows for easy access to beaches and the national park trails before the tour buses arrive.Like this plan? Make it yours
Same destination, your dates, group, and pace. Generated free in about a minute.
Customize this tripFreeFood, shopping & festivals
Top 6 dishes to try
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Spam Musubi
Shave Ice
Day 2
Poi
Plate Lunch
Day 1 · dinner
Poke Bowl
Days 1 and 2
Mochiko Chicken
Day 2 · dinner
Bite-sized chicken pieces marinated in soy and ginger then coated in sweet rice flour. The result is an incredibly crisp, golden-brown crust that stays crunchy even when cold.
Where to eat · Hana Town Center, Roadside Fruit Stands
- Hana Town Center · Hana — Small general stores selling fresh poke and ready-made plate lunches for travelers.
- Roadside Fruit Stands · Hana — Local banana bread, fresh tropical fruit, and shave ice.
Good to know · meal times, tipping, water, vegetarian, payment, etiquette
- Meal times
- Lunch is typically 11am to 2pm. Dinner is early, often ending by 8pm in this remote area. Expect many shops to close by late afternoon.
- Tipping
- Leave 18 percent for good service at sit-down restaurants. Round up to the nearest dollar for counter service.
- Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in Hana. Use a refillable bottle to reduce plastic waste on the island.
- Vegetarian
- Poke and plate lunches often contain soy and fish. Ask staff if the marinade or batter contains gluten or oyster sauce, as cross-contamination is common in small kitchens.
- Payment
- Cash is king in remote Hana. Many small stands do not accept cards, so carry enough currency for your daily meals.
- Etiquette
- Casual is the norm. Always remove your footwear before entering someone's home. Tipping 15-20 percent is standard at sit-down venues, though not expected at counter-service spots.
Top 6 souvenirs
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Macadamia nut honey
Koa wood bowls
Lilikoi butter
Coconut coir crafts
Hawaiian sea salt
Harvested from deep ocean currents, it retains a distinct mineral complexity perfect for grilled fish.
Ti leaf leis
Woven by local residents, these fresh garlands represent traditional island hospitality and botanical artistry.
Where to shop · Hana Bay waterfront, Hana town center
- Hana Bay waterfront · Hana — Fresh leis and local handmade garden crafts
- Hana town center · Hana — Regional produce and small-batch pantry staples
Good to know · customs, tax refund, payment, bargaining
- Customs
- You cannot export most fresh produce or soil from Hawaii to the US mainland. Check with the Department of Agriculture before packing any agricultural goods.
- Tax refund
- There is no VAT in the United States. Sales tax is added at the point of sale and is not refundable.
- Payment
- Cash is king for small roadside stands; major stores accept credit cards.
- Bargaining
- Fixed-price culture. Bargaining is not expected or well-received.
The big events across the year
Tap any photo for more photos and the story.
Super Bowl
February
NYC Pride March
June
Independence Day
Jul 4
Thanksgiving
Nov 26 – 29
Christmas
Dec 25
Costs
Estimated total · For 2 travelers · 1 room · 2 days
USD 660Flights from your city not included.
Getting there and betweenUSD 6
- Haiku → Hana · drive1 carUSD 6
AccommodationUSD 180
- Haiku · 1 night1 roomUSD 180
| City | Simple | Comfortable | Upscale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haiku | USD 120 | USD 180 | USD 240 |
ActivitiesUSD 102
- Day 1 · Garden of Eden ArboretumUSD 40
- Day 1 · Waiʻānapanapa State ParkUSD 20
- Day 2 · Snack: Shave Ice in HanaUSD 12
- Day 2 · Seven Sacred Pools (Ohe'o Gulch)USD 30
FoodUSD 300
- Haiku · 1 dayUSD 150
- Hana · 1 dayUSD 150
Local transportUSD 72
- Haiku · 1 dayUSD 36
- Hana · 1 dayUSD 36
Not included: visas, travel insurance, SIM cards, tips, shopping.
Money tips
Moderate to expensive -- budget $200/night for a hotel and $100/day for food; tap water is safe throughout town.
Skip high-end resort lunches and hit the roadside fruit stands or the food trucks near the Hana gas station for $15-$20 poke bowls.
Hana is wet; rain jackets are necessary for hikes, and you should fill your rental car tank in Paia before driving the 50-mile road.
The $30 entry fee for Wai anapanapa State Park is mandatory for non-residents and requires booking a reservation up to 30 days in advance.
Focus on free natural sites like the Pua a Ka a State Wayside, which offers swimming holes and waterfalls at no cost.
Before you go
Travel and stays
Rental car from Haiku
Day 1–2 · pick up and return in Haiku
Hotel in Haiku
Night 1 · Hana Town · about USD 180 · Comfortable hotel range
Book ahead · most urgent first
Rental car booking with off-road capability
Day 1 · Book 3 months ahead · Due to the remote nature of the Hana highway and the need to access specific trailheads, secure a reliable vehicle well in advance. Pick up at Kahului Airport before driving to Hana.
Waiʻanapanapa State Park entry and parking reservation
Day 1 · Book 4 weeks ahead · Reservations are mandatory for all non-Hawaii residents. Slots are released on a rolling basis up to 30 days in advance via gowaianapanapa.com. You must select a specific entry time window.
Haleakala National Park entry (Oheo Gulch section)
Day 2 · Book 7 days ahead · While not always required to enter the park, checking for active road closures or restricted parking status at the Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools) via nps.gov/hale is essential due to limited parking capacity.
Travel tips
The drive to Hana involves hundreds of tight curves; check your rental car tire pressure and fluid levels before leaving Haiku.
Cell service is unreliable or non-existent along the Road to Hana; ensure your offline map apps are fully downloaded and updated before you depart.
On day 2, visit the Ohe'o Gulch early in the morning, as parking lots fill quickly and the park can close access if capacity is reached.
Respect local road signs, especially in residential zones near Hana; keep speeds low and pull over to let local drivers pass if you are driving slowly to sightsee.
Check the weather reports for Haiku and Hana on the morning of day 1, as flash flooding can occur in the Ohe'o Gulch and at waterfall crossings.
Be aware that the gravel paths at Wailua Falls and other stops can be slick; stick to marked trails to protect the local rainforest flora and your own safety.
When visiting Hamoa Beach, note that there are limited facilities and no lifeguards on duty; always observe the ocean conditions before entering the water.
Avoid parking on grass or blocking private driveways near the Seven Sacred Pools, as towing is strictly enforced to maintain local access.
On the road
Fill your gas tank in Haiku before starting the Hana Highway, as there are no reliable fuel stations until you reach Hana.
Road conditions on the Hana Highway involve many narrow, one-lane bridges; yield to oncoming traffic and drive slowly.
Parking at popular sites like Wai anapanapa requires advance reservations, so book your slot online before the trip.
Cell phone reception is extremely spotty throughout the entire route; download offline maps before leaving Haiku.
Start your drive as early as 7 am to avoid heavy traffic and find easier parking at scenic turnouts.
Buy travel insurance and save the policy offline
Keep a backup card and emergency cash apart from your wallet
Get USD cash / a no-forex-fee card
Check visa requirements for United States
Copies of passport and bookings (paper + phone)
Tell your bank your travel dates and check foreign transaction fees
Leave your itinerary, emergency contacts and a passport copy with someone at home
Register with your embassy's traveler program (STEP for US citizens)
Passport (valid 6+ months past your return)
Wallet with ID and payment cards
Pen for arrival forms
Haiku starts the trip to establish a base in the transition zone, placing you at the edge of the jungle before you head further east. Hana earns the second day to ensure you finish the road journey with enough time to reach the remote coastline. This order builds intensity, starting with accessible rainforests and ending in the deep, quiet isolation of the Hana district.
This trip prioritizes the slow, winding journey through the northern tropical belt and the isolated beaches of Hana. You skip the interior volcanic crater of Haleakala, which requires a completely different direction and altitude change. You also miss the western resort towns of Lahaina or Ka'anapali, where the focus shifts from wild jungle to groomed beach strips.
This is right for those chasing waterfall spray and narrow bridges; it is wrong for those seeking sunset cocktails in a beach chair. Add one day to explore the Kipahulu District south of Hana town. This lets you hike the Pipiwai Trail through the bamboo forest to reach Waimoku Falls without rushing the return drive.
Interest coverage
3 of 3 coveredEntry and safety
| Visa & entry | US, UK, EU, and Australian citizens usually enter via the ESTA visa waiver program for up to 90 days. Indian citizens require a B1/B2 visa obtained at a US Embassy. All travelers must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure. |
|---|---|
| Official advice | US State Department · UK Foreign Office |
| Emergency | Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911911 for all emergencies. Text-to-911 available in many areas. |
Money and tipping
| Tipping: restaurants | 18–20% (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Tipping: taxis | 15–20% |
| Tipping: hotels | $2–5 per bag; $2–5/night housekeeping |
| Cards | Universally accepted |
| Contactless | Common but not universal |
| Cash | Cash accepted but cards preferred everywhere |
| Payment tip | Credit cards accepted everywhere. Apple Pay/Google Pay widely available. |
Plugs
| Plugs | Type A, B120V · 60Hz |
|---|
Staying connected
| SIM | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo eSIM | $5 to $26 for 7 to 30 days | Airalo app |
| T-Mobile physical SIM | $30 to $50 for 30 days | Any T-Mobile retail store |
Roaming charges are very high. Buy a local eSIM or prepaid SIM immediately.
About USD 660 for 2 travelers · 1 room · 2 days: hotels, food, activities, local transport and travel between places. Flights from your city not included.
Most visitors need a visa or an approved travel authorization like ESTA to enter. Requirements vary significantly based on your citizenship and purpose of visit. Check your specific country regulations on the official government website well before booking.
Most travelers fly into Kahului Airport on Maui and rent a vehicle. From there, you must drive the Road to Hana. Expect at least three hours for this coastal drive due to sharp curves and frequent traffic.
Hana is generally safe, but remote conditions present unique risks. Stick to marked trails and be cautious of slick, muddy paths in the rainforest. Always tell someone your planned route, as cell service is unreliable throughout the drive.
The US Dollar is the only currency accepted. Carry cash for small roadside fruit stands and food trucks, as many do not accept credit cards. Major hotels and stores in town accept standard credit and debit cards.
Pack for frequent, unpredictable rain. Bring a waterproof rain jacket, sturdy footwear with good grip for muddy trails, and swimwear. Mosquito repellent and sunscreen are essential for daily outdoor activities.
Tipping is standard practice for service. Leave 18 to 20 percent at restaurants and 1 to 2 dollars per drink at bars. For tour guides or shuttles, a few dollars per person is considered appropriate.
Respect the land and local communities. Stay on designated paths to avoid damaging fragile ecosystems or entering private property. Keep noise levels low when visiting rural areas, as residents prioritize quiet and privacy.
It is a narrow, winding road through dense rainforest. Driving requires total focus, so avoid rushing and pull over safely to let faster locals pass. The 15 mph speed limit is common on many sections; plan for a full day.
These 2 experiences didn't make it into this itinerary
Historic Sites and Cultural Landmarks
e.g., Piilanihale Heiau, Hana Cultural Center and Museum
A Coastal Scenic Drive Stop
e.g., Keanae Lookout, Puohokamoa Falls
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