Beaches and Marine Life

 

 

Hawaii has more drowning incidents than any other state in the nation-

Please use caution and good common sense when entering Hana’s very ‘big’ waters:

 

 “If in doubt, don’t go out”

In Hana we say, “If you don’t see any locals in the water, there probably is a very good reason- STAY OUT too!”

 

With that said, Hana is home to some of the best beaches in the world:

 

·        Hamoa Beach: Our all time favorite beach in the world is located about five miles outside the town of Hana heading towards Kipahulu. This ‘salt and pepper’ fine sandy beach has some of the best boogie boarding waves we have ever experienced! Voted one of the top 10 beaches in America several years in a row, this famous and award winning beach is not to be missed! Facilities provided by Hana-Hotel Maui but public access allowed and public restrooms and fresh water showers provided.

 

 

 

 

·        Koki Beach: One of our most favorite places to view the spectacular Hana sunrise (besides our own lanai!). This beach is a popular spot with the locals. Usually a friendly spot for surfing, boogie boarding (Hamoa is usually better), or just relaxing and enjoying the sun! Please note that there can be very strong currents in Hana waters due to the unprotected nature of this eastern shore. There have been fatal drownings at Koki including locals- please enter waters with caution and common sense.

 

 

 

 

·        Hana Beach Park: This beach park is a very popular spot with the locals for picnics and playing with small children due to its very calm waters. Located in Hana Bay, it is home to the boat ramp and picnic areas. Nice beach to visit as it is a short walk from the condo and has nice soft sand. Water very shallow and not as enticing to adult swimmers. Boat ramp is a bit dilapidated, but head to the right of the ramp into the jungle for an interesting hike to see the birthplace of the famous Queen Ka’ahumanu.

 

 

 

Marine Life

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Dolphins

·         Upon occasion, you may see dolphins, or spinner dolphins, in the bay in front of our resort. Please note that it is against the Marine Protection Laws in Hawaii to chase or disturb dolphins… but you may see a local or two out frolicking with her beloved ‘friends’… snorkeling right beside them in peace.

 

 

 

Turtles

·         You may also spot green sea turtles in front of the Hana Kai resort. Do not attempt to touch them, as touching the shell kills a protective coating that helps to keep the turtle's healthy. The Hawaiian people consider turtles to be sacred.

 

 

 

Whales

·         The Hana Kai resort is a great location for whale watching! December through April, humpback whales can be seen in the deep waters front of our resort. Yearly, humpback whales travel from Alaska to the warm waters of Maui, giving birth to their young and nursing them here. Often you can see the young ones jump and spin out of the water. Watch for spouts of water, tail flips and breeches on the horizon to view these incredible creatures in their natural environment. They are typically more active first thing in the morning and in the late afternoon prior to sunset.

 

 

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Dining

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There are only four choices for dining in Hana: Home, local plate lunch or two restaurants run by the Hana Maui Hotel.

 

1) EAT AT HOME:

Most people know to pack the food they want for their Hana trip- a trip to Costco and/or the fantastic Mana Foods (Pa’ia natural food store) is a must for many. However, there is a joke in the now famous (infamous??) ‘Maui Revealed’ Guidebook that says to the question, “What’s good to eat in Hana?”…. “I don’t know, what did you bring?”

 

Well, there are some nice options here in Hana for those who did not ‘bring it all’. We have a full kitchen with everything you will need to prepare a nice meal or snack to enjoy at home including those ‘little things’ like spices and salt and pepper so you won’t have to shop for absolutely everything.

 

Where to get SUPPLIES:

 

·         Groceries: There are 2 general stores in town that sell basic foodstuffs. Please note that they close by 7:30pm so plan ahead. Hasegawa’s General Store is a wonderful ‘old time’ general store; they literally have a little bit of everything here! Believe me, there has been many occasions that Hasegawa’s store has had an item we really needed, especially during the remodel of this condo, that saved us the 4+ hour round trip to town! From gifts to organic gourmet, you can create a wonderful meal from items at Hasegawa’s. The other grocery store is the Hana Ranch Store. They have a huge cooler that holds a wide selection of beer and have a huge wine selection as well. They also carry gifts and many gourmet items that one may be surprised to find in such a small town. We find ourselves visiting both stores if we are making a meal since they often carry different brands and selection.

 

·         Fresh Herbs: We have a wonderful community herb garden here on property. Simply follow the parking lot road as if heading to the lower building. The garden is within the rocks shaped like the island of Maui in the grassy area between the buildings. Feel free to snip some herbs to make your meal have that special fresh taste.

 

 

·         Fresh local fish. Sometimes you can get lucky and a local fisherman is selling his catch of the day. Historically you can find an impromptu ‘stand’ down in Hamoa Village at Koki Beach or even in town right here across the street at the Hana Bay Charter place.


 

·         Local Organic Fruit. Hana has some of the tastiest organic fruit you may ever find! Ono Farms, from nearby Kipahulu, sets up a stand set up just past the entrance to the town center and just prior to entering the row of large pines as you exit town towards the beaches. His standard has been Mondays and Thursdays but sometimes you see their tent up on other days. Chuck has been organically farming for decades in this area and his fruit shows just how green is his thumb!

 

2) VARIOUS LOCAL LUNCH PLATE:

In the last couple of years, a few terrific- and I mean TERRIFIC- local lunch plate places have sprung up along the roadside. A unique array of locals sharing their culinary skills in temporary shelters along the road makes dining in Hana an exciting adventure! These ‘grassroots’ stands offer some of the best food around! Since most stands are run by folks holding down other regular jobs, many are only open a couple of days a week. Here is the ‘schedule’ of local lunch plate stands at the time of printing.

 

PLEASE NOTE: These local stands are so popular with locals and tourists alike, they often sell out, so come early, and be aware that lines get long at prime lunch times. Locals know to get their food by 11am to ensure selection and availability.

           

            HYTOTA’s:

 

Location: Within the stretch of huge pine trees lining the street on the way out of town towards Hamoa Beach. If he is open, you can’t miss it with all his great signs!

Days Open: Most Thursdays and Fridays from 10-2 ish.

           

‘Braddah Hutts’ is a world class chef living right here in Hana. He was even asked to be the personal chef for Hillary Clinton on her visit to Hana a few years ago and has produced a wonderful spicy soy sauce mix available for retail sale. His stand is a fund raiser for his family to return to Tahiti in order to visit family still living there. His portions are HUGE and DELICIOUS! The mahi mahi is fantastically prepared with fresh vegetables and a delicious light cream sauce. On certain days, when his daughters are there to help, he may be serving his original Shrimp Pasta dish- yum! We can hardly resist his BBQ chicken, with his special marinate- it is ‘out of this world!

 

PRANEE’s THAI FOOD:

 

Location: Across from the Hana Ball Park, in the driveway of  LUANA SPA

Days Open: Most Sunday and Mondays from 10-2 ish.

           

Pranee is a fantastic cook and is always expanding her menu to please the customer. She used to only serve pre-prepared dishes but she would often be sold out by noon, upsetting hungry customers. She now has added many freshly prepared dishes to her menu- she now HAS a menu board too!- so if her prepared dishes have been gobbled up, she can still make you something fresh with her extra stock of meat and veggies to create a delicious stir fry to your taste- hot or not J She also often has some terrific breakfast choices, including an amazing burrito made with a sunflower seed spread, carrots and tofu… sounds odd, but it is TASTY!

 

ALI’s BBQ:

 

Location: On the main road, (back towards Kahului from the condo about a mile) across from the police station, just this side of the ‘Y’.

Days Open: Most weekdays from 10-2 ish. He takes ‘call ahead’ orders on his cell phone: 808-248-7467. He is planning to return to the mainland soon, so check before expecting service.

           

Ali started with a small grill and tent, when week after week he provided the community with good, well-priced, simple meals such as cheeseburgers and mahi mahi sandwiches as well as traditional lunch plates with the ‘two scoops of rice and one scoop mac salad’ too. Convenient and good basic fare- we enjoy supporting this family business and see them grow while they are still here.

 

TROY’s:

 

Location: Within the stretch of huge pine trees lining the street on the way out of town towards Hamoa Beach. Just prior to Hytota’s place on the same side of the road. Sign is a surfboard J

Days Open: Mondays, lately, check for signs posted on the grocery store bulletins- when he is open he is POPULAR! 10-2 ish.

 

 

3) HANA MAUI HOTEL:

http://www.hotelhanamaui.com/ : This fine 5 star hotel has a fine dining room and a casual ‘Paniolo’ bar for wonderful food and a gorgeous location. Servings are small to modest size yet fairly pricey at about $20 for lunch and $40 for dinner per entree, but usually the quality and taste is exceptional. So if you have a special occasion to celebrate or want to have an elegant meal, you will enjoy Hotel Hana Maui.

 

Here is the write up from their website:

 

Main Dining Room: Ka’uiki         

·         Ka'uiki offers a tantalizing blend of Pacific Island and regional cuisine with a fresh innovative flair. The menu features fresh fish from the Hawaiian waters and produce grown locally or on the island of Maui. The majestic views look toward Hana Bay. The newly restored look is a contemporary interpretation of an unusual mix of styles and periods in Hawaii history.

The room features the "Red Sails" Manookian painting that evokes myths and stories of early Hawaiian voyagers. Colorful ceiling streamers soften the sunlight from the large skylights and conjure up images of Hawaiian sailing canoes riding the waves.



Reservations are recommended for dinner. For cocktails and dinner, ladies are welcome in long or short dresses, skirts or slacks. Aloha shirts, collared and suitable shirts (no tank-tops), slacks or dress shorts, are the norm for gentlemen.

·         Each Friday at 7 p.m. we present a special performance by local musicians and dancers telling the stories in dance of this special place called Hana. From kapuna to keiki, everyone will enjoy this special time and Hawaiian buffet:

·         Open at 6 p.m. (close at 9 p.m.)

·         Show starts at 7 p.m.

·         Reservations are required

·         $50 for adults, $35 for keiki (12 and under)

 

 

The history of Ka’uiki
The word ‘Ka’uiki’ holds much significance to the area. Legend has it that Ka’uiki Hill in the village of Hana is the subject of forbidden love between the god Maui’s beautiful daughter Noe Noe and Ka’uiki, the adopted son of the Menehune, a tribe of mischievous elves. Although their love was forbidden, Maui took pity on them and used his magic to keep them together forever. Maui changed Ka’uiki into a high hill – rooted between land and sea – and Noe Noe into the misty rains that caress the slopes of Ka’uiki Hill.

The history of the village of Hana is linked to King Kamehameha the Great, who united the Hawaiian Islands and ruled until his death in 1819. His favorite wife Ka’ahumanu was born in a cave at the foot of the hill Ka’uiki. Today that spot is commemorated by a plaque near the lighthouse at Hana Bay. Ka’uiki Hill was also one of the strongest fort-holds in the days of Kamehameha’s monarchy.

 

Paniolo Bar

The popular Paniolo Bar is designed to reflect the warmth and comfort of a private living room and is graced with a large covered lanai overlooking Hana Bay. Late afternoon lunches and snacks are featured daily in this relaxing area. Enjoy Hana's finest musicians singing the best in traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music.

Paniolo Lounge Hours:

Cocktails & Espresso bar 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Pu'pu & Light Fare 2:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m

 

 

1)    HANA RANCH RESTAURANT:

 

http://www.hotelhanamaui.com/  This restaurant was recently taken over by the Hotel Hana Maui management, and I have to admit, it seems to have improved the quality of their fare. Slightly cheaper than the hotel, although a much less inspiring location, we enjoy the periodic live music on some nights and we usually order their great ranch burgers with fresh crisp bacon and aged VT cheddar cheese, however, at about $15, it may be the priciest burger you have ever enjoyed (unless of course you ordered it over at the hotel where it runs about $20!)

 

Here is the write up from their website:

Stop for lunch or dinner at Hana Ranch Restaurant. The rustic, eclectic, ranch-style roadhouse is located in the Town Center and is open for lunch daily and offers dinner in a more casual atmosphere on Wednesday and Friday nights. There is also a take-out window for a meal on the go. Fun, casual, and friendly, with ocean views, Hana Ranch Restaurant is a favorite of hotel guests, the local community, and travelers along the Hana Highway. Polynesian-inspired ranch food - fish, chicken, salads, and the "best hamburgers" on Maui.

Don't forget to try the famous cookie dough sundae! For more information or to make a reservation call 1-808-270-5280.

 

 

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Activities

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We often spend most of our time enjoying the fantastic views from our room, and getting some work done on our high speed internet connection. But when we get a chance to play, here are some of the things we like to do:

 

 

·         Experiencing/Photographing the majestic sunrise. Shown above, Koki Beach is hard to beat at sunrise. Other great locations are your own lanai (balcony) during most of the year, or try a hike up to Paul Flanagan’s cross. It is steep, but worth it when that glorious sun peaks above the horizon. Plan ahead and allow about a half hour prior to sunrise to reach the summit by foot.

·         Snorkeling, boogie boarding and swimming at the various local beaches. Our favorite is Hamoa Beach for its consistently great boogie boarding waves and gorgeous cove shaped beach. The fine ‘salt and pepper’ sand makes sunbathing also an excellent pass time at Hamoa. See BEACH section for more information.

 

 

 

·         Get a MASSAGE! Luana Spa is not to be missed if you are a massage fan. Nancy and her husband built a beautiful spa on family land overlooking Hana Bay. Enjoy an open air massage under a traditional thatched ‘hale’ shelter. Nancy ran the Four Seasons Spa in swanky Wailea for many years, and she brings all of the fine spa treatments to this very laid back and traditional rustic setting. Nancy is an excellent therapist herself, thus so is all her staff. 

 

Hana Waterfall

 

·         Spend a few hours taking a leisurely drive to Haleakala National Park enjoying all the gorgeous photo opportunities along the way. There are two famous waterfalls to see prior to reaching the ‘Seven Sacred Pools’ in the park.


 

·         Visit the Courthouse and Museum. A wonderful compound is just a few steps away; enjoy a replica of traditional Hawaiian living prior to contact with the western world.

 

                                                                                         

 

·         Go to a real working taro farm and experience an ancient taro patch. Guided tours by local Hawaiians whom have lived in the Hana area for many, many generations. Kipahulu Living Farm has caught the attention of many and has been written up in many prestigious magazines. Here is an article printed in Aloha Airlines in-flight magazine:

 

 

5 Plant Taro & Find Your Native Roots
By: Cheryl Ambrozic

ISOLATED KīPAHULU MIGHT BE “THE LAST HAWAIIAN PLACE”

A trip to Kīpahulu is like a cold glass of water—nourishing, refreshing and necessary. Traveling this narrow county road, I slow down. I shift reality, falling into a state of silence and opening into a state of appreciation. A place where waterfalls flow free­ly, floral bouquets bloom widely, tropical fruits fill the trees and the air thickens with the sweet essence of all three, Kīpahulu re­mains untouched by modern development. Kīpa­hu­lu is where Hawai‘i remains Hawai‘i.

Located on the southeast side of Maui, Kīpahulu is about 30 minutes from Hana and about two hours from Kahului. The area is predominantly Native Hawaiian, having the second-highest percentage of Native Hawaiians in the state (after Ni‘i­hau). Most families’ genealogies extend back hundreds of years. Often referred to as “the last Hawaiian place,” Kīpahulu is one of the most isolated communities in Hawai‘i, off the grid and committed to a self-sufficient lifestyle.

Twelve years ago, the nonprofit Kīpa­hulu ‘Ohana was formed to help sustain this lifestyle and provide work opportunities for the community. In cooperation with the National Park Service, it created a program to demonstrate how traditional Ha­waiians once lived on this land and how they have adapted and evolved on it today.

Founders John and Glenna Ann “Tweetie” Lind and Mike Minn—dedicated Hawaiian activists and now aging baby-boomers—work tirelessly to preserve cultural practices and this fragile environment. In an area named Kapahu Farm, they’ve unearthed 2.5 acres of lo‘i (taro patches)—a relatively small portion of what once blanketed this moku (district). They’ve helped remove invasive species, build an authentic Hawaiian hale (house) and build a community kitchen. In 2005, the ‘Ohana earned the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s Keep It Ha­wai‘i “Kāhili Award” for its authentic portrayal of Hawaiian culture.

Today, the ‘Ohana offers a cultural interpretive hike guided by Native Hawaiians with genealogical ties to the area.

Meet my hike guide, Kema Kanaka‘ole.

Standing under a thatched palm-frond roof, Kema wears blue flowered surf shorts, hiking boots, a branded T-shirt and Oakley glasses. A tall man, his shoulders are full of pride, his solid arms rest on his opu (belly), his fishhook necklace catches the sunrays slipping through the hale’s open walls.

Native roots dig deep in Kema’s family. His great-great-great-grandmother danced hula in King Kamehameha’s royal court. As one of the last Japanese samurai, and fearing for his life, his great-great-grandfather stowed away on a steamship to Hawai‘i. Jumping ship at La Perouse, he made it to ‘Ulupalakua Ranch and worked as a cook. One day, while traveling to East Maui, he stopped to rest in Kīpahulu. It was here he fell in love with a young Hawaiian maiden, knee-deep in mud, working the taro patches at Ka­pa­hu—Kema’s great-great-grandmother. Now, Kema helps his community by working the lo‘i and passing on the area’s history and culture.

Trekking with Kema, a hiker has the privilege of using an exclusive trail that only the ‘Ohana is allowed to use. On the four-mile journey, he and I pass ancient relics and remnants from the not-so-distant past.

First, we stop at the home site of the Po‘onika family—the last Hawaiian family that lived here in the traditional lifestyle in the early 1900s. Kneeling, Kema identifies various waist-high, crumbling rock walls under layers of jungle foliage. I see the patterns. As we weave through and over them, I realize they maze every way I look. With every species of plant, Kema jumps path to pick a seed or berry, opening up a personal story. “See this kukui nut?” he asks as he holds the walnut-shaped, hard shell. “My grandma would line up my brothers and sisters and make us drink its green sap,” he explains, his face twisting with the memory of its sour taste. He picks a false kamani seed, explaining that as a boy he would spend countless hours at the shore­line, enjoying these tropical almonds washed down by the river. With giant fingers, he gingerly picks a native ruby ‘ākala berry. “I like these on vanilla ice cream,” he says, smiling.

Kema takes me to George Kewalo’s 1920s plantation house and the remnants of the late-1800s Kīpahulu Sugar Plantation’s flume and dam. We penetrate deeper into the folds of the fertile jungle, full of light and shadow, bursting in blossom. Merging onto the Pipiwai Trail, we tunnel under a canopy of the bamboo forest, swooshing and clicking with the slightest breeze. “That’s good eating,” he exclaims, pointing out a large, freshwater ‘o¯pae (shrimp) as we cross the stream. We conclude at the 400-foot Waimoku Falls to listen to the crescendo of the crashing water and be cooled by its fleeting mist.

Returning down the mountain, Kema and I enter the clearing of Kapahu Farm. Illuminated by sunshine, heart-shaped taro leaves dance in the breeze. Tweetie greets us with a warm “aloha” and a table dressed with palaka cloth and banana leaves. She offers samples of food now growing at Kapahu Farm: taro, sweet potato, watercress, breadfruit, sugar cane and banana.

As I bite into a chunk of steamed sweet potato, Kema looks out across the ancient taro patches and tells me that this place is about promoting Hawaiian culture for Hawai‘i’s children. “Once these kids realize their greatness, they will want to live it and will work to preserve it,” he predicts.

The hike is over, yet I linger to watch Kema strip off his boots and submerge into the rich mud of the lo‘i—just as his great-great-grandmother did. Today, he’s harvesting taro for his daughter’s high school graduation party.

The Kīpahulu Cultural Interpretive Hike departs from Hale Kū‘ai below Haleakalā National Park’s Kīpahulu Visitor Center, off Highway 36 going east, just past mile marker 42. Hikes cost $49 to $79 per person. Reservations are required; visit kipahulu.org or call 248-8558.