Road to Hana with Waianapanapa and Bamboo Forest
The Road to Hana works best when kids get the stops with immediate payoff — the black sand beach, the bamboo forest, the ice cream at mile 27.5 — while teens handle the Pipiwai Trail, which is a real 4-mile hike with 800 feet of elevation to a 400-foot waterfall. Split the driving duties, stock the car with snacks before Pa'ia (no stores on the road), and plan the pace around the Waianapanapa reservation window.
- Hours
- Leave before 07:00 from west Maui; Waianapanapa by reservation; Kipahulu park 09:00-17:00
- Price
- Waianapanapa $5/person + $10/car; Kipahulu $30/car; most stops free
- Duration
- Full day
- Booking required
- Yes
Tips
- Split the day by fitness level: Waianapanapa black sand beach and sea caves work for everyone; the full Pipiwai Trail (4 miles, 800 feet elevation) is for the teens while kids do the shorter walk to Makahiku Falls viewpoint — both groups end at the same parking area
- Waianapanapa State Park requires advance reservation (gostateparks.hawaii.gov, $5/person + $10/car): the sea caves are the highlight for kids who can swim; book the reservation before anything else since the parking windows fill quickly
- Cash only at most road stops — Coconut Glen's ice cream at mile 27.5 and Ke'anae banana bread at mile 16.5; bring $60+ in small bills and leave west Maui before 07:00