Jaws Country Store

Before embarking on your all-day adventure, stop at Jaws Country Store and visit their café to stock up on homemade baked goods, fresh local fruits and coffee. With ingredients sourced from Maui’s fishermen and farmers, you can be sure you are getting some of the freshest ingredients. A great on-the-go breakfast is the Breakfast Burrito, which features scrambled eggs, sharp cheddar cheese, onions, sour cream, tomatoes and sweet potatoes wrapped in a warm tortilla. To boost your energy, choose from their café offerings ranging from drip coffee to espresso drinks like their iced lattes with syrup options in caramel, vanilla, hazelnut and mocha.

Twin Falls Waterfall

As you continue along Hāna Highway in a southeasterly direction, the open scenery will become denser with thicker foliage. Continue coasting along the road for about 10 minutes until you see Mile Marker 2 on the right-hand side of the road. Just beyond the bend, you will see a gravel parking lot off the road's right-hand side. You can either stretch your legs at their roadside market or hop on the popular hiking trail leading you to two waterfalls.

If you opt for the hike, look for a sign marking the start of the trail located near the outdoor market. Just minutes into the hike, you will see two waterfalls in the distance to the left side of the trail. Some use a glimpse of these waterfalls as their turnaround point. Others choose to continue along and complete the 1.8-mile, out-and-back trail. If you continue, you will be led deeper into the jungle, where towering trees and huge monstera leaves billow in the wind. There is one stream crossing where you need to move from rock to rock, which can be the trail's most difficult part. After about 25 minutes of walking, you will come face-to-face with the twin falls as they mistily cascade over a moss-covered rock wall into a green pool below.

Maui Garden Grove Café

You might have worked up a little appetite after your hike, so hop back into your car and cruise along to Maui Garden Grove Café, located at Mile Marker 5.5. This outdoor eating spot specializes in tropical vegan dishes and refreshing smoothies. One popular dish is their Island Curry, which blends aromatic spices and creamy coconut milk, loaded with local butternut squash, mixed vegetables and pineapple for a dreamy dish of crave-worthy curry. For a drink to cool you off as the day heats up, try their Paradise Smoothie, which blends chunks of mango with pineapples, strawberries, peaches and your choice of liliko‘i (passion fruit) or dragon fruit. Before heading to your next destination, spend some time in their open-air dining area in the shadow of trees.

Haipua‘ena Falls Lookout

Enjoy the next few miles along the Road to Hāna, taking in the lush greenery that can be seen from your car. Just past Mile Marker 11, about a 13-minute drive from Maui Garden Grove Café, look towards the left-hand side of the road for Haipua‘ena Falls. Easily seen from the road, some park their car in a small turnout on the far end of the bridge to take a short stroll to the water’s edge. The 50-yard walk will take you through a verdant path of wild ginger and native ferns growing from the rock wall. Others prefer to view the waterfall from the road and continue along their way. Whatever you decide, including a brief pause to view Haipua‘ena Falls gives you another chance to take in the island's beauty.

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread
The next stop for many travelers is at Aunty Sandy’s for some of her famous banana bread. To get to Aunty Sandy’s, continue along Hāna Highway until you pass Mile Maker 16. Turn left onto Ke‘anae Road and drive along the narrow road that follows the natural contour of the mountain. Look towards the right-hand side of the road for her little shack along the road. This family-owned company is best known for its banana bread, baked fresh daily in its kitchens. Her perfect loaves make for a great gift for loved ones back home. They also have delicious coconut chews, coconut candy, and Liliko‘i butter, sold at their shop or online.

Ke‘anae Point Lookout

While in the area, continue along Ke‘anae Road and head makai (towards the sea). After a few minutes, you will pass more homes until you reach a park with unobstructed ocean views. Here, you can walk up to the ocean and explore the tidepools while stretching your legs and enjoying the fresh ocean air. This is a nice opportunity to get up to the water and see the power of the waves as they crash along the shore.

Halfway to Hāna Snack Shop

After working up an appetite at the beach, head back to Hāna Highway and visit the iconic Halfway to Hāna Snack Shop. Shortly after Mile Marker 17, look for the thatched roof hale (house) marking the location of this roadside business. Opened by Doug and Nita Chong in 1983, the husband-and-wife duo serves freshly made sandwiches, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and fresh fruit from their world-known shack. You can also order a cup of shave ice and choose from 13 tropical flavors. After lunch, stock up on snacks like candy bars and their crunchy beef jerky to enjoy during the rest of your car ride.

Nahiku Marketplace

Cruise along the highway for nearly 12 miles until you spot Mile Marker 29. Just six miles shy of Hāna town is Nahiku Marketplace, a grouping of local businesses and eateries that is a great spot to shop, eat and reenergize before the last leg of the trip. One shop to check out is Nahiku Ti Gallery, which features locally made art, crafts, clothing, jewelry and gifts. Their offerings run the gamut in style and price range from glass sculptures to koa guitar picks.

Hāna Lava Tubes

As your afternoon continues, drive towards Hāna town and head to your next adventure exploring the Hāna lava tubes. To get there, drive along Hāna Highway and take a left at Mile Marker 31 onto Ulaino Road. After driving about 10 minutes along Ulaino Road, you will see a sign leading to the Hāna Lava Tube property on the left-hand side of the road. Their self-guided tours will take you along a 40-minute route through lava tubes where you can view stalactite and stalagtite mineral formations adorning the cave ceiling and floor. This family-friendly adventure is safe for visitors of all ages, and the marked trail is easily traveled. The walkway gets slippery when wet, so closed shoes are recommended.

Kahanu Garden
Farther down Ulaino Road, another outdoor activity helps visitors better understand the area's history. Just minutes from the lava tubes, you will find Kahanu Garden, Pi‘ilanihale Heiau's home, one of the largest structures of ancient Polynesia. The area where the gardens reside was once owned by Chief Kahanu, who was granted the land by Kamemeha III in 1848. In 1977, the descendants of Chief Kahanu and Hāna Ranch donated the first 61 acres to establish the garden, and today, the site has grown to 484 acres where Hawaiian history and culture are shared and preserved.

Their self-guided tours are available Monday through Saturday, allowing guests to explore the area at their own pace. Guided tours are also available on Wednesdays and Fridays, during which guests are led through the grounds by knowledgeable staff who share the mo‘olelo (stories) of the place while highlighting significant canoe plants and architectural formations.

Hāna Cultural Farmstand

Once you are back on Hāna Highway, drive about nine minutes, passing Hāna High School and Elementary, and look for Mile Marker 31, where you will see a sign for the Hāna Cultural Farmstand. Founded in 1996 by two friends who met on the Road to Hāna in 1994, their company focuses on supporting the community and the ʻāina through their regenerative farming practices and farm-fresh, organic and small-batch products. At their local marketplace, there areHāna-made products like Hāna Hotties Spice Rub, Hāna Tropicals moringa soap and Hāna Gold branch-to-bar chocolates as well as deli-style sandwiches and their award-winning banana bread.

Hasegawa General Store

Located in Hāna town, Hasegawa General Store has been serving locals for over 100 years. Driving along Hāna Highway, you will pass Mill Place to your right and come upon a large green building that looks like it has seen better days, but this is the exterior of one of the most beloved stores in the entire state. Known affectionately as being “far from Waikīkī,” Hasegawa General Store was opened by Shoichi and Saburo Hasegawa in 1910. Today, the eclectic store carries everything from door knobs to postcards and even t-shirts with images of their recognizable store.

Dinner at Hāna Ranch Restaurant

End your day with a delicious meal at Hāna Ranch Restaurant on the grounds of the Hāna Maui Resort. To get to the restaurant, leave the Hasegawa General Store parking lot and turn right onto Hāna Highway. Take the next left and drive mauka (inland) to Mill Place. Turn left between the gift shops and the Post Office and head towards the back of the parking lot where the restaurant is located.

The menu heavily features locally grown produce and products from local farmers and ranchers. One farm featured on their menu is Ono Farms, a family-owned and operated organic farm located in Kipahulū, Maui. A pupu using ingredients from Ono Farms is their Avocado-Edamame Hummus blended till smooth and flavored with togarashi (Japanese chili pepper blend) and Hawaiian sea salt and served with tortilla chips and grilled pita bread. You can also sample produce from Upcountry Farms in the Upcountry Farms Greens Salad, combining shaved root vegetables with cucumbers and tomatoes tossed in an Italian vinaigrette dressing.

A popular entrée is the Hāna Ranch Steak Frites, which includes a 14-oz. ribeye steak served with straight-cut fries, shishito peppers sprinkled with smoked salt and finadene (pepper sauce) butter. For another dish featuring local ingredients, enjoy their Crispy Fried Chicken “Satay” served with a side of Ono Farms papaya slaw and steamed rice.

From start to finish, your day exploring the Road to Hāna will guide you through a series of adventures, creating memories you can cherish forever.

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Jaws Country Store; 4320 Hāna Hwy., Ha‘ikū ; (808) 419-6887; jawssurfco.com. Store hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.; bakery & café open daily from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; breakfast is served 7 a.m. to noon; and pizza oven hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Maui Garden Grove Café; 10 Honokaupu Place, Ha‘ikū; open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; @mauigardengrovecafe on Instagram.

Aunty Sandy’s Banana Bread; 210 Ke‘anae Road, Ha‘ikū; (808) 248-7448; open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or until they sell out; auntysandys.com.

Halfway to Hāna Snack Shop; 13710 Hāna Hwy., Ha‘ikū ; (808) 248-7037; open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; halfwaytohanamaui.com.

Nahiku Marketplace; 1546 Hāna Hwy., Hāna; open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Hāna Lava Tubes; 205 Ulaino Road, Hāna; (808) 248-7308; open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; mauicave.com.

Kahanu Garden; 650 Ulaino Road, Hāna; (808) 248-8912; open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 pm.; ntbg.org/gardens/kahanu/.

Hāna Cultural Farmstand; 4176 Hāna Hwy., Hāna; (808) 268-8984; open daily from 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; hanafarms.com.

Hasegawa General Store; 5165 Hāna Hwy., Hāna; (808) 248-7079; open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; hasegawastore.com.

Hāna Ranch Restaurant; 1752 Mill Place, Hāna; (808) 270-5280; open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/hawaii/hana-maui-resort/oggal/dining.