Drive the Hana Highway

Hana, Maui

The historic Hana Highway is the most legendary road in Hawaii, not only as an engineering feat but also as one of the most beautifully scenic roads in the state. With 617 curves and 56 single lane bridges going just one-way to Hana, you will begin to realize that this road is a more about the journey then the destination. If you try to go to fast and see it all you will find the road can quickly wear you down and reduce your fun. Take your time and enjoy the ride and you will begin to get a deeper sense of peace as you explore this very special roadway. At a Glance: Highlights: The most beautiful scenic road on the whole island, and one of the best in the state. The windward Maui rainforest that surrounds the road provides endless photos and opportunities for exploring nature. Options: Group van guided tour, private tour with guide or self-guided touring. There are many different kinds of Hana Highway tours research online to find your perfect fit. For great private tours contact Jay at Mauiadventurespecialist.com Activity Level: Moderate to strenuous due to the windy nature of roadway Preparations: Changes of clothing for the day, swimsuit, a camera, beverages and snacks. Dramamine if you get nausea from the drive. Warnings!: There is very little cell reception in cases of emergency. Look out for debris on road such as rocks, or tree branches. Do not tailgate or speed! Costs: A guided tour can run $125 to $250 per person, but there are no fees on the road. If you wish to shop with roadside vendors, bring some cash. The Hana Highway is a bit of a living and breathing phenomenon, with hundreds of people utilizing it everyday for connecting rural eastern Maui with central Maui. You can see both tourists and residents trying their best to get where they are going, while maintaining their sanity. Here are some veteran tour guides top tips for getting into a successful Hana Highway groove that will make the day go more smoothly. Top 5 Hana Highway tips: 1: Get ready to pull over often. This is not a race, but residents have timetables to maintain and you do not, pulling over for faster traffic is a must. The bonus is each pull out has a scenic view, flower, or waterfall to check out. Pulling over and not being the "leader of the pack" creates many more picture opportunities that the "speed racers" never have a chance to see. 2: Pace yourself: The primary way to maintain sanity for your tour of Hana is to make a consistent flow for breaks, explorations and pictures. The drive to and from Hana is a 100+ mile endeavor, 60 miles of which are extremely curvy, some stops every few miles, allows you to minimize road stresses on your passengers. Locals tip: About to make a stop but you see one or more tour buses at the location, try to skip ahead and make it a stop on your way back. 3: After mile marker 3, put your car in a low gear: Being the driver on this road is stressful enough, stopp…