We soon learned that it’s the experience, not the destination that is the attraction. There are so many things to see along the way that I highly recommend a guide book, Hana Highway, Mile By Mile: The Road to Hana & Beyond. It will help you decide which stops you want to make instead of blindly following the herd.  Traffic gets backed up in both directions as one car at a time creeps across the bridges while the drivers and passengers strain to see the canyons and waterfalls.  Some of them are a VERY tight squeeze, which makes for a white knuckle experience when you have a rental car. It’s only 52 miles, but the drive can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours because you will want to stop to take a hundred pictures along the way.

  

 If you are looking for the perfect postcard picture, you can find it on the Hana Highway.  We stopped to buy banana bread from a roadside fruit stand, which was excellent. One of the things we enjoy the most when traveling is supporting the local residents. We like to buy locally handcrafted souvenirs and eat with the locals. Don refuses to buy souvenirs made in other countries. We used to buy the trinkets when we first started traveling, but you soon realize that they are all “Been there, done that.”   By that I mean, the souvenirs are all the same. The only thing that changes is the name of the destination.  Take postcards & t-shirts, for example, whether you are in Lahaina, Waikiki or Kaanapali. You will find the same things, “Someone in –fill in the blank- loves me.  So we try to avoid them. The one exception is Santa Claus ornaments. I collect them from everywhere we visit.  Most of them are from China, but on the rare occasion that they are made locally it’s like I won a prize.    

     One of the best stops on the drive was the Garden of Eden.  I have been learning photography by trial and error and this was a great classroom.  The 25 acre garden was started in 1991 by Alan Bradbury, whose vision is to restore the native habitat and as well as including exotic plants and trees from the South Pacific. There are over 600 labeled botanical plants including the most extensive collection of Ti plants.  I brought one home, but forgot about it and never got it planted. Guess I have to go back, darn it. As you exit the Garden there is a display of exotic birds on stands and the owner does what seems to be an impromptu “bird show”. He lets you take pictures and hold the birds and he poses them. When you are done he tells you the charge is $20.  No signs are posted with the cost, so stop if you wish.  It makes a great photo.

                 

     Waterfalls are always first on my sightseeing list and there are more than enough to fill the day on the Hana Highway.  The Upper Waikani (Three Bears) Falls, Blue Angel Falls & Pool, Ching’s Pond, Haipuanea & Twin Falls to name a few.  We stopped at every waterfall we could, and even then we missed some of the best because there was no place to park. There is an amazing Bamboo Forest along the way. I didn’t know about it, so it was not on our sightseeing list but it should be on yours! My pictures, taken at 25 mph are blurred because we didn’t stop. If you drive just a bit past mile marker 7, there should be room to pull over for a good look. Another place to see the forest is in Haleakala National Park (Mile Marker 42) you’ll have to pay an entrance fee. The Bamboo Forest can be accessed on the Pipiwai Trail. The trailhead is across the highway. The park has a gift shop, restrooms, park maps, rangers and volunteers to help with any questions you may have.

     Our ultimate destination was the Seven Sacred Pools inside Haleakala National Park.  This is a natural playground for locals and tourists. You can hike the Pipiwai Trail, visit historical sites, try "cliff" jumping, or stay safe with the chickens and just watch the brave daredevils plunge off the cliff. I am in the chicken club.  I prefer not break a leg on vacation.
              

There is a trail to the “swimming pools” for those who don’t want to jump. The weather was beautiful that day, but there had been recent rains so the waterfall and pools were muddy. It was disappointing because I was hoping to swim and get some postcard pictures.  I also was not expecting it to be as crowded as it was. I guess seeing all the guide books with the pictures of crystal clear waterfalls and no people led me to believe it was secluded. Who knew it would be us and 1,000 of our new best friends? The Pipiwai Trail, above the Seven Sacred Pools, is one of the best hikes on Maui. We made too many stops along the way so we didn’t have time to do this either.  It’s 4 miles roundtrip, & takes 2 1/2 - 5 hours to hike, depending on how many photo ops you do. I am told there are several great waterfalls along the route with the grand finale being Waimoku Falls, falling 400-feet down a sheer lava rock wall.  Along the Pipiwai Trail is Infinity Pool. It has a row of thick rocks that keep you from falling over the 200-foot waterfall. This pool is much more secluded than the Seven Sacred Pools. Add this to the reasons we have to go back. As if we need one!

     A Maui Vacation does not have to break the bank. There are plenty of free activities. The beaches in Hawaii are all free and open to the public. Two worth visiting are on the Road to Hana: The unique black sand at Honokalani beach in Waianapanapa State Park on the road to Hana is more of a photo opportunity than a swimming beach because of the rocks, high surf, and hot black sand. The legend of Waianapanapa Caves says: Once upon a time, a Hawaiian princess named Popoalaea fled from her cruel husband, the Chief Kakae. She hid on a ledge just inside the underwater entrance to the cave at Waianapanapa. A faithful serving maid sat across from her fanning the princess with a feather Kahili symbol of royalty. Noticing the reflection of the kahili in the water, the chief Kakae discovered Popoalaea’s hiding place and killed her. At certain times of the year, tiny red shrimp appear in the pool, turning the water red. Some say it is a reminder of the blood of the slain princess. The other is Hamoa beach; to get there you have to park on the shoulder of Haneo'o Road, and then walk down lava rock stairs to the beach. Additional free activities include whale watching (Northwest Maui), hula shows at Whaler’s Village & Lahaina Center, hiking the Haleakala volcano caldera with over 30 miles of trails, snorkeling right from the beach and taking in spectacular Maui sunsets.

 

     One final note regarding the Road to Hana concerns rental cars-read your contract carefully –because many companies forbid driving their cars to Hana.  Aloha!