Is Hana-Maui worth it?

Is Hana-Maui worth it?

By David Fagt.

The last time I went to Hana, I had a wonderful trip that will stay in my mind forever. My brother and his fiance on their way to their honeymoon after flying into Papeete (French Polynesia). We met up with them at the airport, flew to Kona then took the boat to Hana.

We spent 5 days and 5 nights on the Island of Hana. We were told it was impossible to spend less than 10 days. But that was okay with us because were in no hurry, we didn't need to go anywhere or see anything.

You can get up to as far as Haleakala by boat from the island, but the road ends there. To get to Maile you need to go through Hilo, where you can spend the night and then take the ferry to Kapue which is where you stay. It's possible to get up the mountain by public transport (about 3 hours) but not very easy. You cannot climb to the top.

Getting there by car takes between 2.5-3 hours depending on the traffic. During this time you go through many tunnels and have the chance to really see the Island of Maui.e. At one point you actually go under a long suspension bridge. There are also lots of waterfalls. The road ends at Maui, a village close to Maile on the west coast. The route between Kona and Maui in one direction (via Haleakala) is a must, you can't miss it!

From Maile you can take the ferry to Molokai or take the bus and go to Kalaupapa and back to Maile. We took the ferry and went to Molokai and spent the night. On the second day I decided to have a look at the volcano of Crater Kehena where there's a hot springs.

This is a natural volcano just like Haleakala. It consists of a lake and small islands. You can get to it by boat or car and it is about an hour drive from Maile.

We then took a bus to Kalaupapa, a leper colony where they treat those afflicted with Hansen's disease, once they had leprosy. There are still around 2,000 people living here.

We stayed 3 days here.

What is special about Hana-Maui?

If you're not a native Hawaiian and don't have a particular interest in the Hawaiian culture, Hana-Maui might not be for you.

The island has a very different culture than the rest of the islands, and you won't find an island of such incredible beauty with one of the most popular beaches and warmest climates with as large a tourist population. What you will find is pristine reefs, beautiful waters, warm turquoise waters, stunning snorkel sites and many beautiful hikes through the lush tropical forest. When you're on Hana-Maui, you'll want to see as much as possible while spending a minimal amount of time there. Here's how to maximize your Hana-Maui adventure:

Plan your trip so you spend the least amount of time there and most in activities. Hana-Maui isn't a great place to visit during high season (which is from November to April), and that's because many of the local shops and restaurants are open only a short time every day.

There are few lodgings on the island, so you'll want to choose a room that sleeps at least four people if you plan to stay overnight on Hana-Maui.e. There are a variety of cabins, B&B's and condo rentals available for a night or two, though. Renting a private island home is also a way to enjoy being on the water.

The best time to visit Hana-Maui is between May and October, but don't come in July, August or September when the crowds overwhelm the island. You also don't want to travel there during the winter because the cold winds off the ocean make hiking and swimming difficult. It is however often the hottest time of year in Hana, and in the lowlands temperatures can be quite warm.

A perfect example of the contrast in Hana-Maui is found in the difference between the two largest towns on the island: Hanalei to the west is a busy seaside village that hosts the annual Easter Weekend Hna Battle of the Bands festival; and Haiku is a small village just on the other side of the road that is quieter and more serene.

What category is Hana-Maui?

You are here:Home > Category > Hana-Maui > The Best Restaurants in the Valley.

It's true! The Big Island is an all-you-can-eat buffet of food. And the food is good! That doesn't mean that every restaurant on this island is perfect, but we've narrowed down the list to our best ones.

What are the best restaurants in the valley? Ask the people who've been there. You're likely to find a different answer from everyone else. So for you to determine what's best, just ask yourself, Is this the best? If you think so, then that's your answer. And if you think it's not, then ask someone else.

If you don't have the time to ask around, or if you just can't wait, then we've made it easy for you. We've chosen our top five restaurants based on food quality and popularity. Read our full article to find out which restaurant we've chosen for the number one spot. Or just scroll down for our top picks in alphabetical order.

Top 5 Best Restaurants in the Valley. No. 5: Lava Terrace is the ultimate Hawaiian food restaurant. Here, you get a plate of food for one-dollar or less. That's it! All you pay for is the drinks, and maybe some of the appetizers. But for one-dollar, you can't go wrong. It's also a great place for families with children, since they have a children's menu. The food is also excellent. The lomi'au (lomi salmon) is probably the best salmon you'll ever taste. The teriyaki and blackened fish is also delicious.

If you want to splurge, you can also get the grilled steak for four-dollars. It's huge and delicious. This is the real deal, so treat yourself to one of their special meals.

Lava Terrace is located at 1050 Waiaina Street.2 stars on Google

Is it worth staying a night in Hana?

Not with the current state of the roads.

At the moment the access to Hana is a long, dangerous and bumpy dirt road. The majority of locals I've spoken to don't want tourists to ruin it by staying the night. The locals have the best information. Stay local is what they tell me.

Hiking. Hana is the trail head for many hikes in and around the mountain. It's about 4 hour hike to the top of Haleakala. The view is spectacular. If you're going to do it take your GoPro with you because it can be quite windy near the top.

The best time of year to visit is during the dry season which runs from mid-June to late October. Bring a water bottle as there are no grocery stores on the trails and the water is quite warm. Don't expect to get the most out of your trip if you attempt to hike at this time. The trails near Kipahulu or Ke'e Beach were much drier.

During the rainy season, the trail is muddy and it will take some time to get up. Make sure you plan ahead and bring hiking poles. When you arrive make sure you bring a good book and lots of snacks and water as you'll have to be self-sufficient. For more info, Click Here

Humpback Whale Watching. Many locals call the humpback whale calving season here in March-April and September. You have a pretty good chance of seeing them during these times if you travel with a certified whale watch guide.

Molokai.e. Humpback Whale - the best place to see them on Maui.e. Molokai is only about 15 minutes by air from the Big Island. If you find yourself in need of a day trip or maybe spending the night this should be the next stop.

We love Molokai for its peaceful beaches and laid back pace. There are no crowds, big resorts or condos that take over. Many people choose to live on the island year round and it has a distinct feeling of being like another world. We stayed a couple nights at the beautiful Ahukini Beach Resort and really enjoyed it. The best snorkeling right off of their beach.

Waves from the resort just to the right of Ahukini Beach.