Hana was nothing like what I expected it to be, but not in a bad way. Everthing was green and rolling. Stayed 3 nights at Hana Alii's Keanini Hale House. It was big with lots of space and decent views of bay. They apparently have better. It was run down in some respects, but everything worked, there was plenty of space and 2 big decks, and the furnishing were generally nice and clean. Overall, it was positive.

You can buy just about any grocery you could ever need in Hana and the prices are higher but they really arent that bad. You dont need to carry all or really any food with you if you dont want to. There really arent any decent dining options there, so prepare to cook there or eat lousy lunches at Tutus. Hana is not really a swimming area, so dont expect the beach scene to be geared to that. It is pretty wavy everywhere except Hana bay, where the water is kind of dirty looking - but swimmable.

It took us one day to do the road to Hana and 2 more full days to do the 7 pools and the sights around Hana. We were there 3 nights, which was just about the perfect amount of time. The day after arriving, we went to the 7 pools.

To me the drive from Hana to the 7 pools was the most beautiful and spectacular part of the "road to Hana." We didnt stop along the way. We got to the pools early and hiked the 4 mile roundtrip Pipiwa (?) trail. A highlight of our trip, this trail is a must see. You could skip all of the waterfalls on the way to Hana and just look at the ones on this hike. You will see about 5 or 6 on the way, of different shapes and sizes. Take the side trip about a third of the way up and swim in the "infinity" pool. The bamboo forest is really cool, and there is a really tall waterfall at the end. The climb is gradual, and anyone can do it (I had a 40 pound child on my back).

When we returned from the trail, we walked to the pools. The view to the ocean is cool and spectacular, but the pools are ringed with tourists and that kind of ruined the experience. Besides, I dont like swimming in waterfall pools because they seem a little dirty and unhealthy to me, with the slime on the rocks, etc. Just an opinion.

In Hana, Hamoa beach is OK but I didnt think it was that great. There is no parking for it, except up the road and in the grass. The red sand beach is interesting but full of ugly weirdo nudists. Better to go to the red pocket beach on the other side of the hill on the trail that goes to the end of the point past Tutus and towards the island with the light house on it. It is the same type red sand but without all the dope addicts.

Hana is cool, but 3 nights was enough for us. We went back around the other side (the dry side) which was truly spectacular and worthwhile. The road is kind of an adventure but really not that bad (but I wouldnt want to do it if it had been raining, which it is not supposed to do). We then went on to the relaxing part of our vacation and hung out on the calm beaches of west Maui.