Exploring Hana — What Still Makes It Special
- kevinwuklife
- Mar 11
- 4 min read
A return to places we knew decades ago — and a look at what’s still worth seeing.
Quick Take
✔ Black Sand Beach remains one of the most striking places on Maui
✔ The Seven Sacred Pools area is quieter and worth the walk
✔ Kahanu Garden and Piʻilanihale Heiau are unique cultural sites
✔ Koki Beach offers great scenery and local food
✘ Popular spots like Waiʻānapanapa can get crowded
✘ Weather and trail conditions can limit what you can do
✘ Some hikes become muddy and slippery after rain
Hana is not about racing through attractions. The area rewards people who slow down and explore.
Returning after more than twenty years, we were pleasantly surprised by how little had changed.
Aside from a cluster of food trucks and a few small shops, Hana still feels much the same as it did decades ago.
At a Glance
Location: Hana, East Maui
Best Known For: Rainforest, waterfalls, beaches, remote scenery
Places We Visited
• Waiʻānapanapa State Park (Black Sand Beach)
• Seven Sacred Pools / Oheo Gulch
• Makahiku Falls
• Koki Beach
• Kahanu Garden and Piʻilanihale Heiau
• Hana Bay
Time Spent Exploring: Several days while staying in Hana
Key Details
Trip context: Returning after living in Hana over 20 years ago
Weather: Cooler and rainy during part of the visit
Trail conditions: Muddy in some areas due to recent rain
Most memorable locations
• Black Sand Beach
• Seven Sacred Pools
• Kahanu Garden / Piʻilanihale Heiau
Full Report
Waiʻānapanapa State Park — Black Sand Beach
Waiʻānapanapa remains one of the most visually dramatic places around Hana.
Entry now requires advance reservations, which didn’t exist when we lived here years ago. Even with the reservation system, the park was fairly crowded, especially considering the weather was cool and rainy that day.
The beach itself is still remarkable. The dark volcanic sand contrasts sharply with the surrounding cliffs and greenery.
We walked part of the coastal trail, which offers excellent views of the lava coastline.
Swimming wasn’t an option for us that day — the ocean was rough and the weather cool — but the scenery alone makes the visit worthwhile.
Seven Sacred Pools (Oheo Gulch)
The Seven Sacred Pools area felt much quieter than Waiʻānapanapa.
Swimming was closed during our visit, which happens periodically depending on conditions, but the walk through the area was still enjoyable.
We continued down to where the pools empty into the ocean, which is a dramatic place where freshwater and waves meet.
Even without swimming, the area is worth seeing.
Makahiku Falls
On the way through Haleakalā National Park we hiked to Makahiku Falls.
The trail was steep and muddy due to rain earlier in the week, and drizzle continued while we were hiking.
Despite the slippery conditions, the falls were clearly visible from the trail and made the effort worthwhile.
This is one of those spots where the rainforest setting is just as impressive as the waterfall itself.
Koki Beach and Huli Chicken
Koki Beach remains one of the most scenic coastal stops near Hana.
The beach was moderately crowded, but still relaxed compared to many beaches elsewhere on Maui.
We walked along the shoreline and stopped for Huli chicken, which required about a 10-minute wait in line.
The chicken was good and worth trying if you’re passing through the area.
Kahanu Garden and Piʻilanihale Heiau
Kahanu Garden was one of the most interesting places we visited.
We spent about two hours walking the property, reading most of the placards along the way.
The highlight is Piʻilanihale Heiau, one of the largest ancient Hawaiian temple structures.
The scale of the structure is impressive and gives a sense of the cultural history tied to this part of Maui.
Returning to Places We Once Lived
While in Hana we also revisited places where we lived years ago.
The first house we lived in sits above the ocean with a large lanai overlooking the water. It was a place where I spent a lot of time working on a computer, and seeing it again brought back many good memories.
Later we also visited the duplex we once lived in, which has been significantly improved and looks much more finished than it did back then.
Those personal moments added a different dimension to returning to Hana.
Food Trucks and Small Changes
One of the biggest visible changes in Hana is the appearance of several food trucks gathered near the gas station on both sides of the road.
Aside from that, the town itself feels surprisingly similar to how it did decades ago.
It still moves at a slower pace than most of Maui.
Reality Check
Hana is beautiful, but it requires patience.
Many of the attractions are spread out and require time to reach. Weather can change quickly, trails can become muddy, and some areas occasionally close for safety reasons.
Popular places like Waiʻānapanapa can also feel crowded despite the reservation system.
Hana works best for travelers who are willing to slow down and explore over several days rather than rushing through in a single afternoon.
Who This Area Is Best For
Hana is especially rewarding for people who:
• enjoy scenic drives and rainforest landscapes
• appreciate quieter areas of Maui
• want to explore beaches and waterfalls
• are interested in Hawaiian cultural sites
Final Thoughts
Hana remains one of the most distinctive places on Maui.
Despite tourism growth elsewhere on the island, the area still feels quieter and less commercial than most destinations.
For those willing to take the time to reach it — and stay long enough to explore — Hana continues to offer a side of Maui that feels much closer to the island’s past.
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