Hana: 2 or 3 nights?
 

On our wedding anniversary trip to Maui we're spending 2 or 3 nights at the Hana Hotel Maui, and then 4 or 5 nights at the Maui Prince Hotel on the south side of the island.

Anyone who has stayed in Hana, would you recommend a 2 or 3 night stay? The Hana area sounds remote, romantic, beautiful, green, and wild in a lovely way. But it also has VERY limited restaurant choices!

This trip is in January so I don't know what the weather will be like.

Thanks for any ideas.

Love Hana. First time we went we stayed for 2 nights. We've been back twice and stayed 4 nights on each trip. Still don't think that is enough time.

It is calm, peaceful, beautiful, relaxing and wonderful. If, however, you need more than that, perhaps two nights would be enough.

As for the restaurants, the hotel has the restaurant and the bar serves food. In addition, there is the Hana Ranch restaurant. Plus take-out at the Ranch and Tutus, along with room service. That has always been enough variety for us.

kpatric, thanks for your reply. What are your top recommendations for things do to and see in and nearby Hana? And how much time to allow for each?

Thanks!

At least for us, everything happens soooo slowly in Hana. Whatever we think we are going to do, somehow we do only half.

We end up spending a good deal of time at the hotel. Between the jacuzzi spa on the cottage's deck and the hotel's zen-like pool, priorities get shuffled because sometimes things can't get any better than that.

That being said, it is great to get down to Oheo Gulch in the morning. The pools there are refreshing, and hiking the Pipiwai Trail is a good half-day adventure. Hamoa Beach is lovely. We loved Blue Pool, but haven't been back since the Maui Revealed guide created such a brouhaha. Oh, and I almost forgot the Red Sand beach that is adjacent to the Hotel, breathtaking, plus the snorkeling there is the best in the area.

Of course, everything I mentioned is obvious and done by all who go to Hana. But the ability to do it over a few days, without rushing, and to be doing it while staying at one of the most relaxing places on Earth somehow makes it all the better.

kpatric, I'm getting excited. Hana sounds wonderful. Your info really helps. It's hard to plan itineraries using just guidebooks.

From what you are telling me, and what I've read, I think 3 nights in Hana definitely wouldn't be overdoing it.

Some people have said January is the worst month in Maui. Not very encouraging...but that's when our wedding anniversary falls! Have you ever been to Maui in January?

I would definitely opt for three days, no question.

Yes, I have been to Maui in January, but not to Hana; I was there in December. I really wouldn't worry about the weather, that's when you are going, right? And even at its worst, it is very, very unlikely that your trip will be rained out.

Yes, it is more likely to rain in the winter, but it doesn't mean that you will run into any rain. While at the Maui Prince, you probably won't see any. In Hana, you might.

We did not have any rain during the day during my January or December trips. I think we had rain overnight when I was there in December. I really wouldn't worry about it.

Kpatric, thanks for the info and encouragement. Okay, I'll try not to worry about the rain.

When we leave the Hana Hotel Maui we have to drive to the Maui Prince Hotel on Maluaka beach near Wailea. I've looked at guidebooks and maps but I can't tell if you can drive south from Hana all the way around the bottom of Maui and end up near Wailea, on the south side, at the Maui Prince Hotel? And if you can, how long would that drive take?

I appreciate your help. I have guidebooks but they tend to give you a whole day's itinerary and I can't always find out what I need to know.

You cannot drive directly to Makena. Coming around on the south side you will have to head up towards Kula, via Ulapalkua from Kaupo. You would then either go through Pukalani and down Haleakala Hwy and come out just near the airport, or , if you feel brave, you can come down at Kula on Omaopio Rd and you will come out in Puunene, bypassing Kahului. But, the second route is not the most pleasant drive on the island and will take you by the landfill and through some interesting rural areas. Either way, you will still have to turn around and drive back down to the south side to reach Makena.

Being as you will be there during the rainy season, I must warn you that the southern route from Hana can be treacherous in wet weather. Flash floods, mudslides, falling boulders, loose gravel and washed out roadways are a few of the dangers during heavy rains. We go quite often to Kaupo and I have been caught myself in flood waters. Lovely little waterfalls can become torrents that wash out bridges, and the unpaved areas can become a nightmare. If you do decide to take the southern route, check the weather before you leave. It can be clear in Hana, but washed out in Kipahulu. On a nice dry day it can be an interesting drive through desert into the forests upcountry.

here_today_gone2Maui, the southern route from Hana to Makena sounds too scary in the rainy season...What about going back up north from Hana to Pa'ia, and Kahului, then continuing south towards Kihei and Wailea? Is that safer during the rainy season? I guess that would take about 3 hours and 40 minutes, to drive from Hana, go north back to the airport, and then turn south to get to Makena? Is that route treacherous in the rain too?

That is the only other way to go. There are only two ways in and out of Hana. The southern route has some unpaved areas and some pali-hugging blind curves. Loose gravel is common in good conditions, but in heavy rains it can be dangerous. It is easy enough to check the weather conditions and the forecast before you start out. The drive is only about three hours, so it's not like you will be taken by surprise, as long as you check the forecast ahead of time. Put on channel 55 at 7:45 am, Mon - Fri, for Maui Weather Today.

The northern way is what is called "The Road to Hana." It is paved and maintained. But, any time there is a storm you should proceed with caution. Normal wet conditions are not a problem. You will be driving through a rain forest and you should expect some rain on the way. But if a good storm blows in you should stay put. Remember--no rain, no waterfalls and no rainbows. And, normally the rain comes and goes quickly. It can be a torential downpour in the morning and sunny be afternoon.

Another word of warning--mountain streams and coastal pools can become deadly, quite suddenly. The pools at `Oheo will most like be closed if conditions are bad (they were closed last week after rains upcountry caused them to swell), but watch out for other waterfalls and pools after heavy rains. It can be sunny where you are, but raining heavily higher up on Haleakala. Strong currents can wash down suddenly and sweep you out to sea.

Would recommend only 2 nights, Ithink you would be disappointed, that you wasted a third night.

My husband and I rented a home in Hana for two nights. In fact, we did pretty much what you're doing, except we also rented a house in Makena...so villa instead of hotels, 'cause we enjoy the privacy and we both like to cook. We loved Hana and wished we had a third or even fourth night. One highlight was (by chance) we happened upon the Keiki (children's) hula show on a Sunday night at the hotel Hana Maui...if you get a chance, don't miss this.

And don't worry about the rain! It rained every day, off and on, while we were there. We just continued to do whatever we had planned (which could be delicious nothing as kpatric described). It was wondrous to hike through a creaking bamboo forest in the rain, our feet squishing on passionfruit as we walked. The rain really added to the exotic experience. But as heretoday says, you do have to be careful. If you do decide it's a nice dry day and you want to drive the southern route, when you come out to the western side check out the view. We could see our rental house, and the Maui Prince, below us, along with Molokini in the background! It will seem weird, because "you can't get there from here" and yet it's so close!

Aloha Melissa,

Do a search to pull up some old trip reports for "things to do"...

Roxy has a great report about this area, http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34436140

I'd stay a month or more in Hana! ;;)

Melissajoy: I would recommend three nights in Hana. There is so much to do there. But, I would recommend staying at a house where you can do your own cooking. We stayed at Ekena and did not want to leave.

http://www.ekenamaui.com/houses.htm

As kpatric said,there are many secluded swimming holes and beaches in Hana that are fantastic. The best snorkeling experience we have ever had was one time at Red Sand Beach just below the Hana Hotel Maui. The little lagoon was just filled with fish. We have been other times when it hasn't matched that first time, but it still has been great. And Red Sand Beach has an added bonus: you can snorkel "au naturel". There's nothing like it.

As far as which route to take back to Makena, just check with one of the locals when you are there for the current road conditions of the southern route. If it's open, it's a very beautiful alernative to the one you came in on and I believe a shorter drive. It's the way the locals come and go especially the ones out beyond the National Park.

Three nights! An extra night would NOT be a waste of your time. You will absolutely wish you had more time there. Morning swims at Hamoa beach. Midday hikes. Afternoon naps at Hamoa Beach or on your lanai. Be sure to have a Watsu or a massage at the spa at the hotel. A friend had one of each that he said were incredible.
-Bill

I would receommned 3 nights, and stay at the Hotel Hana MAui, it is so relaxing and paradise like...:)
I would not recommned a condo to do your own cooking..doesnt sound like vacation to me!
The restaurant at Hotel Hana Maui is lovely, food is quite good and service good too.

we stayed 3 nights in September, and I was wishing we only stayed 2 (I know...I am not making sense...but) it was sooo hot and they do nto have air condidioning in the cottages, so I didnt sleep for 3 nights and could not wait to get to the Grand Wailea.
That said, I would not go back to the Hotel Hana Maui in the very hot weather, but would in January, and would stay 3 or more nights, because it is incredible! absolutley heavenly.

We did the hiking trail up to Waimoku falls, it was over 2 miles, maybe close to 3 mmiles (each way) but sooo worth the long hot trek once we got to the falls. just make sure to bring bug spray.

After that hike, we went across to O'Heo gulch, it was nice and a beautiful area, but a bit crowded and we were tired and hot after the long hike, so we went back to paradise...the wellness pool at Hotel Hana Maui! :)
next day we went to Hamoa beach, go early! WE were ther by 10 am, and it was great, the beach wa beautiful, water pretty calm, and clear.
But by about 12 noon, it was getting very crowded and losing it's ambiance, so again.. we went back to paradise...the wellness pool at Hotel Hana Maui!

have a great time!!!!!!!! :)

p.s... if you dont want to dine in the Hotel restaurant every night, the lounge/bar has a nice pu pu menu, we had dinner there one night and it was fun and relaxing (They had live music)

I appreciate all the info, everyone! Hamoa Beach and Red Sands Beach sound inviting, and the pools, waterfalls, and trails sound beautiful. It's good to know that the Hotel Hana Maui has a nice pool and good food as well. It's also nice to be able to get to the special places in the morning before the rest of the people get there.

I'm still worried about the roads in the rain. But as lasjas pointed out, if you're there when it's too hot, that can be unpleasant as well.

It sounds like a great place to spend 3 nights on our anniversary trip. I hope we don't get rained in though...

lasjas, thanks for your replies. You mentioned the Hotel Hana Maui lounge/bar also has a nice pu pu menu and live music. What's a pu pu menu?

I'm glad the hotel has good food, because there aren't many choices in Hana for food!

PuPu's are appetizers as we call them on the main land.
You'll see that word often in restaurants :)

It rained while we were in Hana also, but it didnt hinder anything we wanted to do, it rained at night and a little during the day, but no big deal.
I wouldnt worry about it raining the whole time, ofcourse the weather is one thing you cannot control :)

I really don't understand this whole Hana thing. It's rather like Kal's dilemna with Kauai. I have researched the area on 3 occasions, and know I will again return to further study, why anyone would waste precious days in this desolute area. Perhaps, with your 3 nights, you may discover something...2 nights won't give you any valuable data. And Melissajoy........ssshhhhhhh!!!!!!! Heavenly Hana is a top secret travel destination. Mostly daytrippers who are not allowed to understand. Those wasabi french fries....just more research! Have a blast. You just may want to go out on a trike with my darling Arman....a powered hanglider out of Hana airport!

G'lou,

You're giving it away... ;;)

Ooooops, my bad, got my head stuck in World Series Fever. May the curse finally be over!!!

:D

gyppielou and makai1, HUH? What are we talking about? Or maybe it's too secret to discuss.

Hana doesn't seem like the kind of place you can "see" on a day-trip. I imagine you have to stay for a couple days (or a month!) til it seeps into your soul.

We always look for places that aren't so generic that you can pick them up and plunk them down in the middle of anywhere else and they would fit just fine...

We want a little more than drive-by travel...

Thanks everyone for the advice on Hana. Although I think that 3 nights would be better I have booked only 2 nights in Hana. This is a compromise between what my husband wants and what I want!

We're going to spend 5 nights at the Maui Prince first. Then we'll be able to start out in the morning and enjoy a leisurely drive to Hana (if the weather cooperates.)

2 nights at the Hotel Hana Maui will leave us with one full day to explore the beautiful areas near Hana. Of course this isn't counting the previous day when we will enjoy exploring the road to Hana, stopping as often as we like.

How to prioritize the beautiful sights near Hana? What would you do with your 1 full day in/near Hana?

Has anyone else driven from Hana to the airport at about 8:00 in the morning, which is what we'll have to do when we leave? This is in January. I hope it's not pouring down rain...

FYI to you Hana lovers..I got an e-mail from Hotel Hana today for stay 3 nights get the forth night for free during stays October 25 - December 23, 2004. Maybe I should go and investigate just for Melissajoy?!

Yes, Mary, research may be in order... ;;)

Melissa, all in fun... many people pooh pooh wonderful destinations, usually having never spent any REAL time there, thus not having a REAL clue abouth the place.

Let 'em stay away... nothing to do there anyway ;)

sssshhhhh! We are indercover agents that know about some really really cool places that you often hear negative feedback about. As in why would anyone go to Kauai,or Hana? All it does is rain, no nite life, why would anyone waste a day away from all the tshirt shops in Lahaina to see nothing. You see, what many of us find to be the absolute most amazing spot on earth, many a time poster here just don't get it! So they wine and complain about the truths of our favorite spots. Since you are trying to decide 2 or 3 nights, well Melissajoy, you already get it. After you've had one of those amazing lifetime experience in heavenly hana, you will see these "touristy" winey complaints of can I fit it all in and make it back to a spa treatment, luau, and shopping........or the others that say it was a horrible waste of time, the road made them seasick, and they just regret losing a day back in Kaanapali. When you return and research Kauai, you will understand the Kal thing......he is the master of this spoof, research,,,deflecting of bad tourists..........I hope I made a little bit of sense here. HAPPY TRIP!!!

I love Kaui! Took the whole family there!

Oh and congrats on deciding and compromising...its what makes a wonderful marraige. Besides, I bet you will be back again. That once in a lifetime trip for us turned into well, I think it's seven this summer, with an appointment with realestate agents. You will find Hana, and Makena Beach simply amazing. There are no bad choices in my opinion. Just living, and loving it! Aloooohaaa!

Ha, that's my trip report Makai1 quoted!

We loved Hana, staying two nights at the Hana Hale Malamalama. If you love to explore the jungles, waterfalls, and swimming holes, relaxing under the stars at night and getting up early in the morning to do it all again, you'll love staying several nights in Hana. We would've loved several more. Some people can't deal with the quiet and solitude after the sun goes down I think, but to me that means you can't deal with being alone with the person you're with...we spent our two evenings stargazing from our bathtub on the porch, listening to the waves raking over the pebbly shore! And watching our albino kitchen gecko scamper around!

There were so many things along the highway that we wanted to do but didn't get to. The Pipiwai trail is good for a day combined with the pools at Oheo... and start your day with an early morning swim at the Venus pool. My trip report tells exactly what we did in two days. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34436140

Let me know if you have any questions!

love
roxy

ROXY that appeals to the poet in me...and the romantic...star-gazing from the hot-tub, hearing the waves rake over the pebbly shore... Maybe I'll celebrate an anniversary and get some poetry written too!

I do wanna see that Venus pool in the morning.

Quiet places whisper in your soul...

Roxy, loved your trip report. Why did you decide to drive to the airport going south, and then up towards Haleakala (instead of going north on the Hana Highway)?

We have to drive to the airport when we leave the Hotel Hana Maui. I thought part of the drive south looked hairy with gravelly roads... How long did it take to drive to the airport going that way?

I'm mostly worried about driving to the airport in the rain.

gyppielou, what did you and those real estate agents decide? Are you going to buy a little piece of Maui?

I wanted to take a little piece of Tuscany home with me when I left Italy. Instead, I'll have to return...

I went to Maui in January and we had great weather the whole week except for the drive to Hana. It rained on and off the whole way but I loved it. We stayed two nights in Hana and the weather was great.You will have plenty to do and probably wish that you would have stayed longer.Lots of great hikes and beaches.

ttraveler, appreciate the Hana weather report for January. Glad you enjoyed your trip. I'm looking forward to Maui!