this is a topic that can become heated quickly because there are two camps..do drive to Hana or not..
I've done it and thought it was boring, long 8 hour drive.
I'm glad I did but the drive took all day and besides the 7 sacred pools and the graveyards on the back side, It did not appeal to us.
I prefer the backside of Kapalua much better.
Has the road opened up all the way or do you have turnaround after Hana?
The hotel in Hana looks lovely and I know some on here are big fans and they can provide more info.
Aloha and Mahalo

We enjoyed it, but it did take all day; we left early in the morning and got back after dark. Someone gave me a great CD that narrated the drive by mile marker so we knew what we were looking at. I'd recommend buying one if you can find it. We didn't spend the night, just turned around and came back the same way we went. We did get a lot of great pictures.

Well, do you like to drive really slow, very windy roads that travel along the edge of cliffs and through lush rain forests high above the ocean? Some people love that sort of thing and others don't. Which one are you? What you see the first hour of the drive is pretty much the same you will see the rest of the drive. So at what ever point you get tired, you can turn around and go back. It is not necessary to go the whole way! There is no need to get to Hana per se. Hana is not the attraction------the scenic drive is the attraction.
To go all the way around the island, past Hana, you should be a very adventurous soul (maybe you are). If so, read all the details and cautions in the book Maui Revealed so you know what you are getting into. If you decide to, check locally to see if that part of the road is closed or open when you are there.

Thanks for the advice! Based on these three, I don't think we'll be going to Hana, but maybe drive the road for an hour or so.

Sounds like a good idea. If you want to do a big splurge on a great dinner in great island ambiance that night, eat at Mama's Fish House. It is on the ocean side of the road to Hana as you are coming back into town. Reservations probably needed.

The Garden of Eden is just far enough along the Hana Hiway to get a taste of the area. www.mauigardenofeden.com. It's a pleasant place to visit, and then turn around. I second the idea of Mama's Fish House, but I prefer lunch instead of dinner. Views are better and prices not quite as expensive.
I actually like BEING in Hana more than I enjoy driving there.
Very pastoral and peaceful.

Many thanks for the good tip!