Hana Travel Guide

City Small town on Maui known for the scenic Road to Hana

The Hana Highway draws people for its waterfalls, bamboo groves and roadside banana-bread stalls. Hamoa and Black Sand Beach invite surfers and swimmers; local plate lunches and hikes (Pipiwai Trail, Wailua Falls) finish days with jungle views and tide pools.

Costs
USD 150-300 per day (typical)
Expect higher Hawaii prices for lodging, food and car rental.
Safety
Generally very safe; drive carefully
Very low crime but hazardous driving and cliffside hikes.
Best Time
April-May, September-November
Shoulder seasons have fewer visitors and calmer conditions.
Local Time
Weather
Drizzle 69°F
Drizzle
Population
1,526
Infrastructure & Convenience
No public transit; car required, few services and limited restaurants.
Popularity
Attracts road-trippers, hikers, photographers and slow-travelers seeking seclusion.
Known For
Hana Highway, waterfalls, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, black-sand beaches, Pipiwai Trail, Hamoa Beach, remote Hawaiian charm, rainforest scenery, sea cliffs
Hana is tiny and remote but served by Hana Airport (HNM), offering short commuter flights to other parts of Maui.

Why Visit Hana? #

Set on Maui’s quieter east coast, Hana draws travelers who want lush coastlines, old- Hawaii charm, and slow-paced island life. Expect dramatic drives along the Road to Hana, black-sand beaches at Waiʻānapanapa State Park, and fresh local poke and taro-based dishes served at family-run stands. The town’s small galleries and native-hula gatherings give a window into Hawaiian culture without the crowds found elsewhere. It’s a place for scenic walks, local food, and seaside calm.

Best Things to Do in Hana

All Attractions ›

Hana Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Drive the Road to Hana - Drive the Road to Hana, a winding coastal route with waterfalls, banana stands, panoramic vistas.
  • Waiʻānapanapa State Park - Explore Waiʻānapanapa's black-sand beach, sea arches, coastal trails, caves, and scenic viewpoints.
  • Pipiwai Trail and Oheʻo Gulch - Hike Pipiwai Trail through bamboo forest to Waimoku Falls and swim at Oheʻo pools.
  • Hamoa Beach - Relax at crescent Hamoa Beach, known for soft sand, swimming, and mellow surf breaks.
Hidden Gems
  • Kaihalulu (Red Sand Beach) - Scramble to Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach for red cliffs, secluded shore, and dramatic ocean views.
  • Kaʻeleku (Hana) Lava Tube - Descend into Kaʻeleku lava tube to explore narrow passages and volcanic formations safely.
  • Hana Bay Beach Park - Spend golden-hour at Hana Bay Beach Park, quiet swimming and local fishing activity nearby.
Day Trips
  • Haleakalā National Park (summit) - Drive to the Haleakalā summit for sunrise, high-altitude crater walks, and panoramic vistas.
  • Historic Lahaina - Visit Lahaina's waterfront, historic whaling-era streets, galleries, and lively seaside restaurants.

Best Time to Visit Hana #

Visit Hana in late spring through early fall to enjoy the sunniest, driest conditions and reliable trade winds for hiking and coastal drives. Winters are mild but rainy, turning the area gorgeously green while making some roads and trails trickier.

Dry Season
May - October · 18-28°C (64-82°F)
Sunny, trade-windy days make hiking and waterfall drives pleasant, though Hana remains lush - expect lighter showers and fewer muddy stretches than winter.
Wet Season
November - April · 17-26°C (63-79°F)
Frequent heavy showers turn roads slippery and fuel dramatic waterfalls; fewer crowds and emerald landscapes, but plan for wetter travel and limited beach days.
Cool Season
December - February · 16-24°C (61-75°F)
Mild, wetter months bring crisp mornings and peak waterfall flow - atmospheric and quiet, but pack layers and rain protection for narrow coastal roads.

Best Time to Visit Hana #

Climate

Hana's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 18°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1825 mm/year), wettest in March.

Air Quality: AQI 19 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneMay
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
18°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (246 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

74 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 25°
77%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

246 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 25°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

172 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.4h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (290 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
18° 25°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

290 mm
Rainfall
5.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 26°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

178 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.5h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 26°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
5.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.0h daylight

June

June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

86 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 27°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

55 mm
Rainfall
5.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

July

July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
21° 27°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

83 mm
Rainfall
5.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

August

August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

88 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 28°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
5.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
12.7h daylight

September

September is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

82 Excellent

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
21° 28°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

97 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.1h daylight

October

October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
21° 28°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

119 mm
Rainfall
5.2 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.9
UV Index
Very High
11.6h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (280 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
20° 27°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

280 mm
Rainfall
5.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.4
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (179 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

76 Very Good

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
19° 26°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

179 mm
Rainfall
4.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

How to Get to Hana

Hana is a small, remote town at the east end of Maui's famous Hana Highway. The practical arrival points are Kahului Airport (OGG) on central Maui or small commuter flights into Hana Airport (HNM); overland travel along the Hana Highway is the most common way to reach the town.

By Air

Kahului Airport (OGG): Kahului is Maui’s main airport and is the usual gateway for reaching Hana. From OGG you can rent a car and drive the Hana Highway (see driving below) - the drive to Hana town is about 2-2.5 hours depending on stops and road conditions. Alternatively, Mokulele Airlines operates short inter-island/commuter flights to Hana; flight time is ~20-30 minutes and one-way fares commonly range from about USD 99-150 depending on season and advance purchase.

Hana Airport (HNM): Hana Airport is a small regional field right by Hana village. If you land here on a commuter flight you are essentially in town; there are very limited ground-transport options (local taxis / shuttles and car rental drop-offs), and trips within the area are short (minutes).

By Train & Bus

Train: There are no train services on Maui.

Bus / Shuttle: Public bus service from Kahului to Hana is limited and infrequent; the Maui Bus does run services on the east side but schedules are not suitable for many visitors (expect long travel times and transfers). Most visitors use private shuttles or booked guided tours from Kahului (day-tour shuttle prices typically run ~USD 120-200 round-trip, full-day, depending on operator) or car rental to keep flexibility and sightsee along the Hana Highway.

How to Get Around Hana #

Hana is very small and walkable once you’re in town, with most sights concentrated along Hana Highway and the bay. Driving is the usual way to get there - rental cars or guided tours from other parts of Maui are common; the road is narrow with one-lane bridges and slow sections, so allow extra time. Public transit and taxis are limited; a few shuttle/tour operators serve the route but schedules are sparse. Bring cash for local stands and be prepared for limited services outside daylight hours.

Where to Stay in Hana #

Budget
Hana town - $80-250/night
Basic guesthouses and condo rentals dominate-limited rooms, book early. Few true hostels exist; expect simple, rustic stays.
Mid-Range
Hana / Paia route - $150-350/night
Mid-range choices are limited in Hana itself; many travelers base in Paia or Kahului and day-trip to Hana.
Luxury
Seaside Hana - $300+/night
Luxury options are scarce; a single resort and upscale B&Bs are the main premium choices-book well ahead.

Where to Eat in Hana #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hana's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Thai
Pizza
Seafood
Ice Cream

Nightlife in Hana #

Nightlife in Hana is very low-key. You’ll find a handful of hotel or restaurant bars and occasional live-music evenings at local eateries, but there are no clubs or late-night venues. Most evenings are quiet, so plan to enjoy dinner and a drink rather than nightclub-style entertainment.

Shopping in Hana #

Shopping in Hana is minimal and mostly practical - a few small gift shops, galleries and roadside stands selling local produce, banana bread and handmade goods. Expect limited opening hours; for supermarkets and wider shopping choices you’ll need to return toward central Maui.

Nearby Cities #