The Road to Hana is a world-renowned bucket list item that is not for the faint of heart. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure is a 52-mile journey with 617 hairpin turns including 59 single-lane bridges taking travelers on a trip that feels truly out-of-this-world. There are endless stop-by-stop tourist travel guides available to aid travelers in preparing for this epic excursion, but few offer a true local’s perspective. Our best advice? The Road to Hana itself can be a bit more stressful than relaxing, despite its awe-inspiring beauty — to prep accordingly, get zen and fuel up.
Get Zen
Before hitting the road it’s time to get zen, taking a stop at Maui Water Lily Farm for a session of stand-up paddleboard yoga. As that soaks in — picture it — stand-up paddleboarding yoga on a lily pond in the tropical paradise of Haiku Maui, one of the most relaxing places on the island. Maui Water Lily Farm is hidden just off the Road to Hāna about 15 minutes from Pā‘ia town and just before zero mile-marker, making this the perfect kick-off to a morning before the journey.
This spot so low-key that there is no website, and is only offered by appointment only, bookable by direct messaging on Instagram at @mauiwaterlilyfarm. This once-in-a-lifetime pitstop is perfect for advanced yogis or beginners and is led by 10-year yoga instructor and Reiki master (@carinecamboulives) who guides travelers through a grounding, meditative yoga practice on the provided SUP boards amongst the still water and lush tropical foliage.
Fuel Up
After the senses have been soothed and energy has been restored on the water, it’s time to fuel up for the journey on the road. Head towards Ho’okipa for some to-go refreshments at Booch + Coco. This kombucha café and espresso bar is located on Maliko Farms and is the perfect fit to follow a morning yoga session, offering artisanal coffee, locally harvested coconuts, and Maui-made Pauwela kombucha. Coconuts are the highlight of the menu, showcasing everything from coconut cream in specialty coffees, to coconut water ice used for shave ice, to even using coconut ice cream in kombucha floats. In addition to drinks, adventurers can take food to-go for their long day of driving. Travelers love this spot’s bento boxes featuring musubi, salad, and poke. Pro-tip: before heading out for a day on The Road to Hana, ask the barista for a small bowl of compost and head outside to feed the goats.
Insider tip: Booch + Coco’s hours are 7 am-4 pm every day but Monday. Also, the second Saturday of every month brings a great turnout for their open mic night from 5-8 pm. Full menu can be found at boochandcoco.com.