Just before you reach Ke’anae, you will pass by the Ke’anea Arboretum, which will take you through about 30 minutes to stroll through and enjoy all the natural plants that call Maui home. You may wish to just stay here for the night and rent a cabin at the YMA camp, which can be found close by Ke’anae. This small village might just be a nice place to visit and enjoy the scenery before you head back off on the Hana Highway. This unique village was almost lost to history when the 1946 tsunami hit and destroyed everything in its path except for the stone church.
This stretch of road ahead has waterfalls, waterfalls, and waterfalls. Mile marker 17 has a unique spot that you might wish to sit and rest which is called Ching’s Pool. You might view a few daring kids jumping off in the pool, however, this is not a very good idea unless you are a daredevil. Just a bit past this pool, if you are craving a snack you will surely enjoy stopping at Halfway to Hana. You can try the homemade banana bread, fresh fruits, sandwiches, and cool refreshing drinks.
The next great site you will see if you take the time to pull over around 2/3 mile from mile marker 17, park your car and walk over to the ocean side of the bridge. Here is where you will see a spring fed gusher. The pipes you notice are not causing the gusher but taking away the water for other reasons.
Waikani Falls is past mile marker 18. This unique waterfall drops 1,000 feet in various stages just below the highway. The village itself has a nice small church that you might enjoy peeking at before you head on off on your adventure.
Upper Waikani Falls, which has been referred to as Three Bears Fall, is between mile marker 19 and 20. These falls you can reach by taking a small trail on the far side of the bridge. Just remember one thing when viewing waterfalls along the Hana Highway, the flow depends on how much rain the area has had and of course the season. Winter produces more beautiful flowing waterfalls.
Mile marker 21 has a nice pool and stream with its own pretty waterfall. You can take a short 10-minute walk down a trail to get a glimpse of this unique waterfall.
Pua’a Ka’a State Park is located between mile marker 22 and 23. At the park you can enjoy two waterfalls, beautiful scenery, restrooms, and of course a break from driving. The waterfalls might be a bit light, but they are worth the stop if you love waterfalls.
As you are going past mile marker 23 you may notice a few caves, a bridge, and then another larger cave. These caves are really lava tubes that were created when lava from volcanic vents forms a river that crusts over on top. The tubes can take the lava on a trip of up to 20 miles with the lava only dropping in temperature about 20 degrees.
Two more waterfalls await you as you head on toward Hana, which are Hanawi Falls and Makapipi Falls. Hanawi Falls is at mile marker 24, if the water flow is heavy you will enjoy the way in which the flow splits around the rocks and creates a once in a lifetime view. The Makapipi Falls is just past mile marker 25. If you are here during a dry season, this falls may be dry and you will miss the awesome beauty.
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