HANA |
MAUI, HAWAII, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA |
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HANA:
The “Heavenly Road to Hana” is about 50 miles of one-lane bridges. Coastal vistas, numerous waterfalls and wayside stops line the curvy road. A non stop drive takes two hours, although visitors should set aside an entire day. Once in Hana it's hard to leave, its isolation and beauty make it the “real” hidden Hawaii.
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The Keanae Peninsula is hard to miss from its lookout point. A tiny community stretches out before motorists with its velvet emerald checkerboard of terraced loi patches growing taro for poi. Three miles before Hana is Waianapanapa State Park with caves, a black sand beach, a seabird colony and a coastal hiking path. Tropical plants abound at Alii Gardens, open weekdays and between mile markers 26 and 27.
Tiny Hana Town spills into the green pastures of Hana Ranch where visitors can take horseback rides. Visit Hale Waiwai O'Hana, “House of Treasure of Hana”, complete with rare old area photos, quilts, shells, and numerous artifacts from 10 a.m. -4 p.m.
The Hana experience continues past town and along Hwy 31. First stop is Wailua Falls and then Oheo Gulch. The latter is popularly called the Seven Pools, as pools topple from one another be4fore flowing into the ocean. Oheo Gulch is part of Haleakela National Park, and rangers offer hikes up the pools through bamboo forest to the 400 feet Waimoku Falls. There in the cool fresh water, visitors are left to enjoy the Hawaii they've dreamed about.
