Road to Hana

The road runs about eighty-four kilometres along Maui's north-east coast with a commonly cited six hundred and twenty curves and fifty-nine bridges, forty-six of which are single lane and require yielding by convention - the etiquette matters and locals commuting to work are on the same road. It passes waterfalls, black sand at Waianapanapa, bamboo forest and taro fields, and the driving is slow enough that the trip takes most of a day each way. Waianapanapa State Park now requires advance reservations for non-residents, as several sites have introduced booking to manage numbers. The road past Hana continues round the back side unpaved in sections, which some rental agreements prohibit.

What you actually see

• 620 curves and 59 bridges - forty-six of them single lane.
• Waianapanapa black sand - now requiring advance reservation.
• Waterfalls and bamboo forest - along the inland stretches.
• A road locals commute on - which sets the etiquette.

When to go

Year round; start very early to avoid the convoy. A full day.

Honest expectations

Several sites now require advance reservations - book before setting out. Motion sickness on the curves is common. Rain is frequent and flash floods close pull-offs. Stopping in unsafe places and trespassing are live local grievances.

Nearby

Haleakala's summit road is a separate long drive; Paia is at the start.