travel hawaii

5 Stops On The Road to Hana You Won’t Want To Miss

When we booked our trip to Maui this last year I immediately started planning. I like to have an itinerary, I do schedule “free time” so it’s not all go go go. But I like to have an idea of where we’re going when and what all we’re going to do. When I started planning this particular trip there was one thing that stuck out more than anything, that I most certainly want not going to miss out on. The Road to Hana.

Haipua’ena Falls

1 1/2 miles past the 10-mile marker
Small turnout on the far side of the bridge 

This waterfall is my favourite place that we stopped. It has a super small parking spot, two vehicles can fit there – if you’re lucky – so it is quiet. We were the only ones there when we saw it.

You have to walk about a 1/2 km to get to them but it’s worth it. I could have spent more time there easily. It was raining when I went but I think it would be a perfect place to do the once in a lifetime waterfall swim if the weather permitted.

Ke’anae

The ocean is such a powerful being, isn’t she? Once nearly wiped out by a tsunami in 1946, the only thing left standing is an old stone church.

I could have stayed at this place all day long and not have been bored. The ocean beating against the lava rock, each wave unique. The water is rough and beautiful here. Definitely somewhere you don’t want to miss. There is a banana bread stand here as well, we didn’t try it but it rumoured to be as good as the next one. These are also washrooms available for you to use here.

Halfway to Hana

1/3 mile past 17-mile marker sign

Not long after the Ke’anae, you come across this little food stand. All we Aunty Sandy’s We stopped here and had the banana bread. Probably one of the best I have ever eaten. It was warm out of the oven and came in large pieces. They also have some fruit and sandwiches and things. If you’re hungry and you don’t have anything packed this is where I suggest you grab some snacks.

Upper Waikani Falls / Three Bears Falls

Between 19 and 20 mile marker

Drive around the corner and park in the parking lot at the top of the hill. Do not ignore the “no parking” signs. They are there for a reason. We witnessed a rather loud argument between some locals and some tourists.

Anyways. There is a perfectly good view from the road, that I was perfectly happy with. But I am glad I built up the nerve to take the trail down. I use the term trail loosely because you are climbing over some rather large rocks. Also, the “trailhead” is found by climbing over a bridge railing and has a bit of a drop. Never the less, if you are able to get down there you can really see the size and power of these beautiful falls.

Wai’anapanapa Black Sand Beach

My experience with beaches, having lived in a landlocked province my whole life, has been pretty non-existent so I was really excited about the black sand beach. It was busy but the views were incredible, and the black sand, unlike everything I had ever seen.

They have cabins and restrooms, showers and picnic tables. We were here for quite a while walking around, exploring the caves and again just watching the ocean. This was the only place I spotted a turtle, riding the waves.

The Road to Hana was a bucket list item for me and I don’t regret doing it at all. It makes for a long day with countless incredible views and things to look at. There wasn’t a dull moment the entire drive and there was no room for boredom. These are just my favourites along the way.

Have you followed the Road to Hana? What was your favourite stop along the way?

 

Posted by Jenn in Travel, Travel Maui, 6 comments

How To Spend 6 Days In Maui, A Breathtaking Tropical Paradise

This post is in no way sponsored, all opinions and experiences are my own. No affiliate links are present.

In January 2018 we spent a gorgeous and perfect week in Maui. We were spoiled by incredible weather, and I must admit I was spoiled for my first beach vacation. While there were so many things that I wish we had seen and done, there wasn’t a single thing that I would have skipped. – Except for a couple of restaurants, find our favourites here – Like any vacation, a week is just not long enough to see and do everything in a place.

Day One

  • Breakfast at Down The Hatch
  • Pick up Rental Car in Kahului
    • Stop st Krispy Cream if you’ve never been
  • Buy some groceries at Food Land
  • Late Lunch at Bubba Gumps
  • Late Dinner at Prison Street Pizza

Day Two

  • Explore West Maui
    • Honolua Bay
      • Enjoy the food truck
    • Nakalele Blowhole
    • Kahakuloa Head
  • Drums of the Pacific Luau
    • Strole Kaanapali Beach why you wait
    • Enjoy the Mai-Tais!

Day Three

  • Stroll Front Street
    • Banyan Tree
      • Makers Market
    • Old Courthouse
    • Sand beach – Low Tide Only
  • Kaanapali Beach
    • Admire the big resorts
  • Drive to Kihei
  • Whale Watching at
  • Shave Ice at Ulalani’s Hawaiian Shave Ice
    • The Lahaina with Macadamia Icecream and a snow cap is AWESOME

Day Four

  • Drive the Road To Hana
    • Stay tuned for its own post

Day Five

Day Six

We stayed at the Aina Nalu Lahaina by Outrigger in Lahaina Maui. It was a great place and I would absolutely stay there again.

Renting a Jeep was the best decision we made for the whole trip. We were able to easily do anything we wanted to do, without any issues. I 100%recommendd a Jeep over a smaller vehicle.

Have you visited Maui or another of the Hawaiian islands? What was your favourite thing to do?

Posted by Jenn in Travel, Travel Maui, 17 comments

3 Restaurants In Lahaina You Need To Eat At

Are you planning a trip to the beautiful island of Maui? If you aren’t already then you probably should be. If you are, you will probably spend a little bit of time, if not most of it, in the town of Lahaina.  Lahaina is where we stayed during our week on the island. We where we treated with spectacular weather welcoming locals, and delicious food. While you’re in Lahaina you will have a nearly endless supply of restaurants to try. Out of all the restaurants that we tried, the three below were by far my favourite.

Down the Hatch

This was the first restaurant we ate at on the very first morning after arriving on the island. We happened on this restaurant by chance when we were searching for a good breakfast joint while walking around the street. Once featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives, the restaurant is tucked in the courtyard of a multistory shopping-centre on Front Street and offers counter service. Their menu is smaller but amazing.  Four different items ordered and not a disappointing one in the bunch.

We enjoyed this restaurant so much we visited it TWO more times during our week-long trip. The second, for dinner, I tried the Lobster grilled cheese that was featured on their episode of DDD. This sandwich brings all my favourite things together, cheese and lobster. When we snuck in for one more breakfast before on the day that we left, we again, all ordered new items with zero disappointment. Of all the places we ate at during our trip this was the only one that we ate at more than once.

They also have a sister restaurant, The Breakwall Shave Ice Company, in the same spot. We, however, did not try it personally.

TRY: The Lobster Grilled Cheese Sandwich and the DTH Breakfast Sandwich

BONUS: During our stay in January 2018 we were able to get a 2 for 1 coupon from our hotel.

Prison Street Pizza

Like Down the Hatch we came across this pizza place while we were exploring the town of Lahaina. We found it while in search of breakfast, so we didn’t try it immediately but returned later that night and had it for dinner. We ordered the S-turns the Old World and the Garlic Bread for takeout. While we waited we sat down and enjoyed a beer from Maui Brewing Company. – Make sure you give their beer a try. –

The dining area is quite small, and family style so we shared a table with a man who owns a surf shop in town. – I am always happy to hear that the locals also enjoy a restaurant, it gives me a lot of confidence in the food. – We grabbed our food and headed back to our room to eat. The pizzas we large, the crust was perfect and the toppings were fresh and flavourful. The 4 of us ate the garlic bread quickly and the pizza didn’t last long; although there were a few pieces left for the next day. We tired another pizza place later in our stay and this one was our favourite.

TRY: The garlic bread! Large pieces, with strong while not overpowering, garlic flavour.

BONUS: By the crowd, it is obvious the locals frequent here.

Ululani Hawaiian Shave Ice

If you’re going to Hawaii, you’re probably going to try shave ice. If you’re going to Maui, you’re going to want to go to Ulalani. There is no doubt why this place has been rated the #1 restaurant on the entire island. We shamelessly enjoyed a shave ice nearly every day during our trip. The ice is soft and creamy(?) and the flavours are incredible. They seem to have endless combinations. The staff here is friendly and will not hesitate to strike up a conversation while they’re making your delicious treat, giving great suggestions from a local point of view.

TRY: The Lahaina, named after the town their original location, perfectly combines Pineapple, Coconut and Banana. Adding a scoop of Macadamia ice-cream to the bottom and a snowcap on top makes this delicious dessert even more incredible (if that’s even possible).

BONUS: The Lahainaluna Café next door to their Lahaina location proves to be just as good as their Garlic Fries are incredible, so take the extra steps and give them a try while you’re there.

 

Have you visited Lahaina, Maui? If you have what is your favourite restaurant that you tried while there.

Posted by Jenn in Travel, Travel Maui, 11 comments