Saturday, June 1, 2013

Road To Hana Tours For Visitors In Maui

By Rena Hudson


Although any tour of Hawaii will likely feature plenty of waterfalls and beaches, Hana tours are in a league of their own. This is the last bit of nature in the raw on the Hawaiian Islands, unspoiled by man and highly inaccessible in a remote corner on the island's eastern coast. It's like a dream tropical world, with jungles and jagged cliffs looming over the ocean and epic scenery so often portrayed in brochures but very hard to see in person.

The usual point of entry into this area is through Kahului Airport. The tourist experience begins almost immediately, once the tour bus is clear of Kahului and heads out on the HI-360 towards Hana. This 52 mile trip is among the most popular things to do in Hawaii.

Navigating the 620 treacherous curves and 59 bridges requires a driver with a great deal of skill and knowledge of this route. Many of the bridges and hairpin curves take an eternity to cross because only one lane of vehicles can cross at a time. All of this is irrelevant for passengers entranced by the incredible natural beauty on display.

The air-conditioned tour buses used on this route come with wide windows that allow passengers to soak in the view. The road goes by several points of interest along the way. The bus will stop many times and let people disembark to get an up-close look at the waterfalls, scenery and historic attractions.

One of these stops is at Puohokamoa Falls, tumbling down 130 feet and into the ocean below. The Ohe'o Gulch Pools (Seven Sacred Pools) are a great spot to lay back and take a swim. Black Sand Beach at Waianapanapa State Park is another popular stop on this route just before the bus reaches the town.

Yet another place for a relaxing break is the Tedeschi Winery. Passengers can get off the bus, explore the winery and get a taste of some of their wines. Keanae Peninsula is also a popular attraction, created by lava flowing out of the Haleakala Crater. The never-ending and momentous battle between the jagged lava stones and the ocean waves offers clear evidence that man has no control over the elements in this part of the world.

After all this, visitors enter into Hana and are presented with the spectacular Hana Bay and historic attractions such as the Hasegawa General Store. Most tours will also stop by at the Kahanu Garden Botanical Gardens and the 13th century temple there, better known locally as Pi'ilanihale Heiau. Beaches included among the stops are Hamoa Beach and Hana Beach Park.

Since the return back to modernity requires another journey on the HI-360, Hana tours have more in store for passengers. Most buses make their way back along the same route, but it's also possible to continue forward on HI-360 and make it a round trip of the island. Charles Lindbergh's grave is just a short drive ahead of the town, in the Palapala Ho'omau Church. The tour continues onwards past the church towards the opposite coast and then follows the road as it heads inland and through central Maui towards Kahului




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