localtravelguide. Hawaiʻi · Haleakalā & the Road to Hāna

Volcano Sunrises, Rainforest Roads & Golden Beaches

Maui,
Hawaiʻi.

From sunrise above the clouds at Haleakalā and the waterfalls of the Road to Hāna to Kāʻanapali's beaches, ʻĪao Valley's green peaks and winter humpback whales: explore the Valley Isle.

Information reviewed October 2026 · Live National Weather Service forecast for Maui, HI.

Sunrise above a sea of clouds at the Haleakalā summit
Sunrise at Haleakalā

01 / Getting Here & Around

Fly Into OGG, Then Rent a Car for the Island.

Maui's highlights are spread across the island, so a rental car is the easiest way to reach Haleakalā, Hāna and the beaches of the south and west shores.

Airport

Kahului Airport (OGG)

Maui's main airport is in Kahului on the island's central isthmus, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Wailea and about an hour from Kāʻanapali.

Reserve rental cars well ahead, especially in peak seasons.

OGG Airport Info ↗
Getting Around

Rental Cars & Maui Bus

Rental cars give the most flexibility. The Maui Bus connects major towns and resort areas on fixed routes but does not reach Haleakalā's summit or Hāna.

Fill the tank before remote drives like the Road to Hāna.

Maui County Transit ↗

Respect West Maui: Lahaina is rebuilding after the August 2023 wildfires. Visitors are welcome in West Maui's open areas, but please respect closed zones and private property, and never stop to photograph the burn area.

02 / Interactive Map

Maui Island Map.

Filter by area or type, tap a pin for details, and save places to download as a shareable image.

03 / Iconic Stops

Summit Sunrises, Waterfall Roads & Golden Beaches.

Volcanic summits, rainforest drives and some of Hawaiʻi's best beaches.

Upcountry

Haleakalā National Park

Watch sunrise from the 10,023-foot summit above the clouds; sunrise viewing requires a reservation, and crater trails offer otherworldly hikes.

Park & Sunrise Info ↗
East Maui

Road to Hāna

A winding coastal highway with dozens of one-lane bridges, waterfalls, black sand beaches and rainforest stops on the way to Hāna.

Road to Hāna Guide ↗
Central Maui

ʻĪao Valley State Monument

A lush valley with the ʻĪao Needle, a 1,200-foot green peak, and short walking paths; out-of-state visitors may need reservations.

Park Info ↗
West Maui

Kāʻanapali Beach

A long golden beach backed by resorts, with snorkeling near Puʻu Kekaʻa (Black Rock) and a beachfront walking path.

West Maui Guide ↗
South Maui

Wailea Beach & Coastal Walk

Crescent beaches and a paved coastal walk link the resorts of Wailea, with calm morning water for swimming and snorkeling.

South Maui Guide ↗
East Maui

Waiʻānapanapa State Park

A black sand beach, sea caves and lava coastline near Hāna; advance reservations are required.

Reservations ↗

04 / Island Eats

Fish Tacos, Banana Bread & Upcountry Farms.

Fresh fish, roadside stands and farm-to-table Upcountry cooking.

Fresh Catch & Poke

Look for fresh mahi-mahi, ono and ahi on menus across the island, from beachside fish tacos to poke bowls in Kahului and Kīhei.

Maui Dining Guide ↗

Roadside Stands & Upcountry

Stop at roadside stands for banana bread and fresh fruit on the way to Hāna, and visit Upcountry farms and Makawao's bakeries on the slopes of Haleakalā.

Upcountry Guide ↗

05 / 3-Day Plan

The Essential Maui Itinerary.

A summit sunrise, a legendary drive and beach time.

  1. Day 1: Haleakalā Sunrise & Upcountry

    Drive up for sunrise with your reservation, walk a summit trail, then warm up in Makawao and Kula on the way down.

  2. Day 2: Road to Hāna

    Start early for the Road to Hāna, stopping at Twin Falls, roadside stands and Waiʻānapanapa's black sand beach with your reservation.

  3. Day 3: ʻĪao Valley & Beaches

    Visit ʻĪao Valley in the morning, then snorkel and relax at Wailea or Kāʻanapali before sunset.

Ocean, Summit & Road Safety

Island Conditions.

Haleakalā's summit can be near freezing before dawn, and the thin air at 10,000 feet affects some visitors. Bring warm layers and go slowly. On the Road to Hāna, pull fully off the road at stops and never block bridges.

Ocean conditions vary by shore and season. Swim at lifeguarded beaches when possible, heed warning signs, and stay out of streams and waterfalls during heavy rain because of flash floods.

NWS Honolulu Office ↗ · Hawaiʻi Beach Safety ↗
A waterfall beside a bridge on the Road to Hāna
On the Road to Hāna

06 / Official Resources

Handy Links & Portals.

Tourism, park, reservation and safety links for exploring Maui.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Do I need a reservation for Haleakalā sunrise?

Yes. Sunrise viewing at the summit requires a vehicle reservation, released online in advance, in addition to the park entrance fee. Daytime visits after sunrise do not need one.

How long does the Road to Hāna take?

The drive from Kahului to Hāna is about 52 miles but usually takes three hours or more one way, even before long stops. Plan a full day, start early, and avoid driving it after dark.

When can I see humpback whales?

Humpback whales visit Maui's waters roughly from December to April, with peak sightings from January through March, often visible from shore on the west and south coasts.

How does the saved places list work?

Clicking "Save" on any location card or map marker stores it directly in your browser's local storage. You can filter the view to "Saved" or choose "Save list as image" in the place list beside the map to generate a clean PNG containing all your chosen stops and addresses for offline navigation.