{"id":9825,"date":"2016-01-01T16:59:54","date_gmt":"2016-01-02T00:59:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tillthemoneyrunsout.com\/?p=9825"},"modified":"2016-01-01T16:59:57","modified_gmt":"2016-01-02T00:59:57","slug":"places-to-stop-along-the-road-to-hana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tillthemoneyrunsout.com\/places-to-stop-along-the-road-to-hana\/","title":{"rendered":"Places to Stop Along the Road to Hana"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year after we drove Maui’s Highway 36 (more commonly known as the Road to Hana) in the opposite direction from everyone else. We loved our day exploring off the beaten track and afterwards we were both sure you could do the drive many times over, and not see everything there is to see along the way. <\/p>\n

This year we did the iconic trip in the usual direction, visited a completely different set of stops and 100% stand by that statement! It’s a pretty magical trip with a ridiculous amount of things to do and see. Last year I shared the best stops for driving the road to Hana counter-clockwise<\/a>, and so it is only fitting that this year I share the stops we explored driving the road the usual way (clockwise). <\/p>\n

I have read that on a one day trip in which you are doing the full loop (which I 100% recommend, because who wants to backtrack?!) you do not have time for any of the longer stops. Just the drive alone is going to take you about 4 hours, so with stops, it will be a full day. I would argue that it is better to put in one or two longer stops and a handful of short ones than try and see 15 different things and only spend a few minutes at each, and our itinerary reflects that. Each sight is marked with the mile marker (MM) closest to it. <\/p>\n

1. Paia Town: Mana Foods<\/h3>\n

This does not totally count as a stop, but if you are driving the usual way, you will be passing through Paia town. Mana foods is a big health food store in town that is a great place to stock up on road snacks! We stopped here to grab a few kombuchas and some other provisions for our day. <\/p>\n

2. The Painted Grove – MM 6.7<\/h3>\n

\"Rainbow

This is the only stop that we made on both of our self-driven Road to Hana trips. I really, really, love seeing the groves of incredible rainbow eucalyptus and so would probably stop here every time I make this journey. I wrote about it in depth in last year’s road to Hana post<\/a> but let’s just say it is only a few minutes stop to see some pretty magnificently colored trees off the side of the road. <\/p>\n

3. Twin Falls – MM 2<\/h3>\n

Twin Falls is home to the first accessible waterfalls along the Road to Hana. We stopped here because it was recommended by so many people. This is an incredibly popular stop and the only one of the day that I would not recommend. The lower falls is a quick walk from the parking lot and the upper falls were closed when we were there. This stop felt the least magical of any of the stops we have ever done. The walk did not have much to recommend it and there was not the air of adventure or beauty that you get from the rest of the stops. <\/p>\n

4. Kaumahina State Park – MM 12<\/h3>\n

This stop is mostly just for a little break to stretch your legs after a fair bit of time in the car. There are also bathrooms here, so if you need to use one it is a great pit-stop, and if you don’t you may as well skip it. There are also sweeping views of Maui’s coastline and picnic tables so it is a pretty place to stop for a snack even if you don’t need the loo. <\/p>\n

\"Driving

5. Lava Tube – MM 31<\/h3>\n

The lava tube and labyrinth are at 205 Ulaino Rd. The amazing lava tube is on someone’s private property and they have opened it up to the public for $15\/person. Your entrance fee also gets you the use of a very high powered and necessary flashlight. Before you get to the lava tube entrance there is also a garden labyrinth that the owner’s planted; think tropical corn maze. It is by far the most legit labyrinth I have ever gone through and it was a lot of fun trying to solve it with Tom and his Dad!<\/p>\n

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