The Road to Hana

Located on the eastern coast of Maui, Hana is a particularly lush section of the island that was the seat of power for the Alii (royalty) on the entire island. Prior to the mid 1400s, Maui was separated into three different territories. In the 1550s the daughter of the Hana chief Hoolae married King Pi'ilani, Moi of west Maui, resulting in the unification of east and west and a period of prosperity. Hana's natural beauty and prosperity made it an enticing target for other island leaders such as Kamehameha The Great resulting in battles with an impressive number of war canoes stretching along the coast of Hana.

These battles were said to last over many days with Maui warriors warding off invaders with tactics such as throwing stones from Ka'uiki Hill in Hana Bay. King Kamehameha defeated the Maui Warriors in the Iao Valley in 1790 and completed the unification of Hawaii by 1810 resulting in a period of peace and unity among native Hawaiians that has continued to this day.

Visitors to Maui can drive along the Road to Hana to experience the natural beauty of the shoreline for themselves and the history of Hana. Completed in 1926, this legendary road features 620 curves and 59 single lane bridges. Only 52 miles from Kahului, this challenging road can take two to four hours due to the narrow roadway, tight turns, and one-lane bridges. Make the most of your visit by booking a tour of Hana to learn even more about the legendary history and culture of Maui!