Hana Maui Marketplace » Visitors

Hiking in and around Hana

Kawika — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 21:03:02 +0000

If your idea of “things to do” is limited to things like watching TV and shopping then Hana may not be for you. Hana is the kind of place where you don’t need a TV, a shopping mall, or places to go and show off your jewelry and barely worn MuuMuu (dress) or aloha shirt. All you need are your five senses (even 3 or 4 will do) and some time.

The entire Hana area is gorgeous as is the Hana highway that takes you there. Please reserve plenty of time to walk around and take in the beauty, aroma, sounds and enjoy the unique experience most people envision when they think of Hawaii. You won’t find anything like it in Waikiki or Kaanapali.

If you are wise enough to allocate time for hiking you are in for a special treat as the hiking in the area offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Information about some of the more well known trails is listed below:

Hana Maui Walking Trail
Oheo Gulch (Seven Sacred Pools)
Hana Highway
Hana-Waianapanapa Coastal Trail – Black Sand Beach
Kaihalulu “Red Sand” Beach

Here are some pics from my Hana “hikes”:

This is me jumping off of a volcanic rock near black sand beach: (note: I found out later that this is a favorite dining area for sharks…)

This is my brother Pani jumping off the same rock…

Below is a pic of my good friend Tom getting talked into jumping off the side of a cliff into one of the seven pools at Oheo Gulch (note: while this is a blast there are times when water levels are too low to jump in safely. Check with the park rangers…)

A picture of the peaceful Wailua Bay village between Paia and Hana

Please enjoy yourself when you are in Hana. Get out and walk around, explore, take it all in. But, respect the privacy of residents and property owners. Kapu = forbidden = no trespassing.

A hui hou

Joe’s Place

Kawika — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:49:42 +0000

I’ve stayed at Joe’s Place many a night over the years and although it’s no Hotel Hana Maui it was always clean and the location is unbeatable. It’s the perfect Maui-style place to stay where you’ll never feel like you wasted good money just for a place to crash out.

I always liked the honor code system where the key is left out for you to grab at whatever time you arrive. Just leave it where you found it when you leave.

Joe’s Place is right in the middle of Hana a few steps away from Hana Bay.

Uncle Bill’s Lunch Wagon

Kawika — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 22:20:01 +0000

William K. Kamai

I met Uncle Bill Kamai and his wife on my first trip to Hana back in 1985. He is absolutely one of the nicest men on this Earth. He’s a very quiet, very proud man. Also winner of the Tiny Malaikini Award in 1996.

He provided the grinds for nearly every gathering I ever had the honor of attending. His food is ono and my Hawaiian o’hana and friends swear by it.

If you find yourself in Hana be sure to find Uncle Bill’s lunch wagon down at Hana Bay. And order yourself some Hawaiian food! You can eat the other junk when you return back to the mainland. Tell Uncle Bill that Kawika sends his best and I’m missing his ono food!

(I’m sure I have a picture of Uncle Bill’s lunch wagon somewhere and when I find it I’ll add it…).

Aerial photo of the beautiful Hana Bay

Some smart visitors enjoying grinds near Uncle Bill’s lunch wagon