Hana 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.
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.
Hana Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
January
January is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (246 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (172 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Moderate rainfall (55 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 21°C. Significant rainfall (119 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (280 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (179 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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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.
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).
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 best navigated by car or booked shuttle - the road is the attraction, and a rental or guided tour lets you make the most of the stops. Once in Hana village, distances are short and you’ll get around on foot or with local taxis.
- Car (rental) (USD 50-150/day) - Driving the Hana Highway is the classic way to get to Hana - plan for 2-3 hours from Kahului without extended stops and considerably longer if you stop to look at waterfalls and viewpoints. The road is winding and narrow in places; a reliable car and daylight driving are recommended. A rental gives you full flexibility to stop and return the same day or stay overnight.
- Private shuttle / guided tour (USD 120-250 (day tour)) - Many visitors prefer a guided shuttle or full-day tour from Kahului that handles transportation and stops along the way. Tours include guided commentary and multiple stops; expect a long day. Book in advance for peak season.
- Commuter flight (USD 99-150 one-way) - Mokulele (and other commuter carriers historically) operate short flights between Kahului and Hana; flight time ~20-30 minutes and gets you directly into Hana Airport. Flights are useful if you want to avoid the long drive but are subject to limited schedules.
- Taxi / local transfer (USD 30-200) - Taxis and private transfers are available but can be expensive for the long Kahului-Hana run; within Hana village trips are short and inexpensive. If you need door-to-door service a pre-booked transfer is the simplest option.
- Walking - Hana town itself is small and very walkable; most village sights and beaches are reached on foot once you’re in town.
Where to Stay in Hana#
Hana town - $80-250/night
Basic guesthouses and condo rentals dominate-limited rooms, book early. Few true hostels exist; expect simple, rustic stays.
Hana Kai Maui - Condo-style units near Hana town
Various Hana Airbnbs - Small guesthouses and rooms (variable)
Booking listings for Hana - Aggregated budget options and B&Bs
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.
Hana-Maui Resort (if operating) - Larger property with resort amenities
Paia Inn (stay en route) - Comfortable boutique option near Paia
Courtyard by Marriott Kahului Airport - Practical mid-range base before/after Hana drive
Seaside Hana - $300+/night
Luxury options are scarce; a single resort and upscale B&Bs are the main premium choices-book well ahead.
Hana-Maui Resort (resort option) - Upscale rooms and ocean views
The Inn at Hana - Premium B&B-style lodging nearby
Where to Eat in Hana#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Hana’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
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.
