Things to See and Do in Hana, Maui, Hawaii

Are you visiting Hāna for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in Hāna on Maui, Hawaii’s eastern shore.

Visitors from out of town want to see Maui’s Seven Sacred Pools, but a hike through the bamboo forest is a more local, authentic experience. Afterall, Hāna is best known for its Black Sand Beach and bamboo forests.

If this is a romantic trip to Hawaii, I recommend staying in a Sea Ranch Cottage at Travaasa Hāna for kissing with an ocean view.

Are you traveling to Hāna with a pet?  The best place to walk the dog is Hāna Bay or Koki Beach. For those who don’t have the time to drive the road to Hana, why not fly to Hana in 20 minutes. Mokulele Airlines will take you from Kahului Airport to Hana for $59 one way. Check the website for details.

Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids to Maui, you’ll want to visit The Underground Lava Tubes.

 

Hawaiian food in Hāna, Maui

 

If you are looking for typical Hāna cuisine, I recommend visiting the local food stands outside of Hāna Town. Some of the fruit stands have honor boxes where you take what you like and leave the money in the box. Have you tried the apple bananas?

 

The best place to go for coffee & a breakfast treat is The Ka`uiki Dining Room at Travaasa Hāna.

 

Looking for cheap food in Hāna? Go to the Hāna Fresh Market. For the best Thai restaurant, all the Hāna locals eat at Prawnee’s.

 

The Hāna Ranch Restaurant at Travaasa Hāna is the spot for late night dining on this part of the island. I recommend the bbq ribs and Macadamia Nut pie.

 

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to the Ka`uiki Dining Room at Travaasa Hāna. Order a Mai Tai cocktail; it comes with a chunk of pineapple,  the little umbrella and plenty of rum. Every Sunday, Monday and Thursday night there is live Hawaiian music and hula dancing.

 

When you come to Hāna, get your picture taken at Waimoku Falls.  It’s a 2.5 mile hike through  the bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls.  Another great outdoor activity is going horseback riding along Hāna’s pristine coastline.

For the water lovers, take an ocean kayak and snorkel reef watch with Hana Bay Kayaks. Owner Kevin Coates takes out beginning paddlers, as well as non-swimmers (with flotation devices.)

I brought my underwater camera, but my camera skills don’t do this legendary cove justice.

Hana, Maui views

Travaasa Hāna offers great views and Fagan’s Cross (you can walk to the top) is the best place to watch or experience the sunrise.

 

If you are a museum lover, Hāna’s best historical museum is the Hāna Cultural Center.

 

The Hāna News will keep you posted on what’s happening in Hāna.

 

You can tell a lot about Hāna from visiting the Hāna Cultural Center.

 

In the spring you should attend The East Maui Taro Festival.  In the summer you should attend the Hāna Film Festival.

 

Did you know that Hāna is known for Cultural Events? Plan a visit to Hāna in the fall during the Aloha Week Festival.

 

Come to Hāna for the Christmas Fun Fair in the winter or celebrate New Year’s Eve with fireworks that light up the Hawaiian sky.

 

Insider Tip: Check out Prawnee’s for Thai food. This is where local Hāna folks go for lunch.

 

Just outside of Hāna Town you can visit The Hāna Health Center and have lunch at Hāna Fresh Market.

What are your favorite things to do in Hāna ?

Photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau and Travaasa Hāna.

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