The road to Hana and the bamboo forest

The road to Hana is famous for its 40-mile scenic drive along the eastern coast of Maui. It starts near the airport and ends in Hana. While curvy and dangerous, it is a piece of cake compared to Kaheliki Highway. Hana Highway is wide enough for a dividing line, at least most of the time. When the road gets too narrow the dividing line stops and when it gets wide enough for 2 lanes it starts up again. I guess that helps control people's speed?

My favorite spots along the trip were (from furthest south heading back towards the airport):

- Hiking through the bamboo forest. Located about 10 miles south of Hana in Haleakala National Park, Pipiwai Trail is an incredible 4-mile round trip hike. In the middle of the hike there is a bamboo forest reminiscent of scenes from The Blair Witch project. Although it was the middle of the day the dense bamboo would make it seem dark and the only sounds would be birds chirping and the bamboo knocking together from the wind. The hike ends at the Makahiku Falls, a tall beautiful waterfall. The entire trail is tattered with signs warning of impending death if you venture too far towards the edge or jump off a 50-bridge into a natural pool full of rocks. Only in America.

- Hamoa beach. This is hands down the best beach I've seen in Maui. It is a small cove beach surrounded by lush vegetation and a small, steep hill that looks like something out of Lost. Yes, I am referring to the television show that has gone on for far too many seasons. The surf was excellent. The water was deep and the bottom sandy. Thank goodness because I went to catch a wave and by the time I realized it was way overhead I was too far into it to bail. I went head over you-know-what right in front of all the local surfers.

- Kaihalulu red sand beach. It was a bit of a hike to get here, not far but a little hairy, but the pay off was good. The sand was bright red, the water blue and the landscape in the cove beautiful.

- Haipua'ena Falls. A wonderful small waterfall and natural pool surrounded by rock cliffs. It was very peaceful and relaxing.