Been reading all the helpful posts here - thanks to everyone. I'll be spending 5 romantic days in Maui in September. I'm leaning toward staying in either Kananapali or Wailea for most of the trip, but would love to see Hana as well. Do you recommend taking a day trip out there or staying over one night?

Thanks in advance!

Hi - Congrats on your upcoming trip! There are tons of posts on this subject. I personally think Hana is good as a day trip but there are plenty of people out there who will say to stay there for 1 or 2 nights. I personally think that is too much for Hana if you only have 5 days on Maui. There are many great places you can visit as day trips during the 5 days if you stay in Kaanapali or Wailea.

I agree with npurpleh2 assuming that you are comfortable driving a car all day. 5 nights is not a long time and I'd keep a "home" base the entire time. If you are well rested the night before and think of your Hana trip as a "whole day" adventure you will be fine. Keep in mind if you are driving that even the most experienced and patient drivers can find their nerves frazzled on the road to Hana. There are some tour options if you are not a driver.

Thank for your thoughts npurpleh2 and fun2travel!

If you stay in Ka'anapali, I like the drive around the West Maui mountains even better than the drive to Hana. But I agree, with 5 days you may want to not even have a car!

If you do go to Hana I think it can be done in a day trip and I would go all the way around (not back track on the road to Hana).

Staying in Wailea would put you a bit closer to the road to Hana but not that much closer that it should determine where you stay.

I love the Hana area, but hate the idea of doing it as a day trip. With only 5 days on the island I would bag the Hana idea altogether and save it for another trip when you can do 2 or 3 nights.

-pila

I too would not use the time to drive to Hana with only 5 days on Maui. The drive around western Maui was really nice and we got to see lovely sights. Spending an entire day in a car seems to be not worth it. And changing hotels to stay in Hana means wasting time packing, registering, unpacking etc. I'd rather be on a beach or hiking than sitting all that time in a car.

Debi

I agree, do a day trip to Hana (the sights along the drive are the attraction, not Hana town) and continue the drive all the way around. The volcano and ocean views from that side are incredible. Leave early, make a lot of stops, spend some time at the gulch pools, then continue on around. You will not be sorry.

sylvia,

The Piliani Highway around is Kaupo is closed due to the earthquake late last year, hence one cannot drive around the southern tip anymore.

-pila

That's good to know; we heard that the bridges/road had reopened. (I hate driving back the same way!)

The temporary bridge at Kipahulu has been up since December, but the road past Kipahulu is closed.

-pila

Thank you everyone for your advice ... I really appreciate it.