If you have an idea of what heaven is like with lush beautiful greenery and a view that makes you stand in awe, then you have envisioned Nahiku. In the beginning, Nahiku was formed as a rubber tree plantation in 1905, however, in one decade the boom was over. Today, Nahiku is a quiet and beautiful village with residents carrying on their normal routine of life.
You should take a few minutes and take a stroll around the shoreline while you are here. Nahiku has some very beautiful scenery and if you just drive right through you are sure to regret what you missed. You can enjoy the serene waves slapping the shoreline and the peaceful calm here before heading back to Hana Highway.
As you leave, you will notice that the scenery is beginning to change. The land seems to be fresh and new. Blue Pool is found at mile marker 31, this will not be secluded stop, and however, it is well worth the stop. You will follow a bumpy road known as ‘Ula’ino which is around 3 miles in length. You can park your car when you arrive at the stream and pay the landowner $ 2 and then you can walk one mile to the Blue Pool and the waterfall.
Along ‘Ula’ino you will also find Kahanu Garden which is part of the National Tropical Botanical Garden. They give guided tours at prices around $ 10 to $ 20, which will take you on a 30-minute tour. This is where you will find the Pi’ilanihale Heiau. This is a largest temple on Maui. The temple encompasses 3 acres and took 128,000 days to build. The construction began in 1200’s and the temple was not completed until 1570. Close to the Kahanu Garden is the Maui Cave Adventures where you can enjoy a one hour.
Back on Hana Highway, you will pass by the Hana Airport where you can view some beautiful coastline.
After you pass by mile marker 32, you will happen upon Wai’anapanapa Park. The park is great for seeing what Hana Highway is all about with the spring fed freshwater caves and the volcanic black sand beach.
The freshwater caves are a great place to take a swim. The water is a bit cool, but not so cool that you will not wish to swim. The water level changes with the tide as the freshwater floats in and out just as the tide. The water may tend to be a blackish in color but only because it mixes with the seaweed, the water is actually very clear. During dry seasons, you will notice not as much water, but still a great place to cool off and enjoy the beauty all around.
The volcanic black sand beach is something of a sight to see. The Black Sand Beach here is 100 feet wide and is protected from drifting out to sea quickly since it is in a bay. The way this unique was formed was from lava that flowed and fountained into the sea. The lava shattered into pieces forming the sand. They ask that you do not take home any of the black sand home as a souvenir as with all black sandy beaches, one day it will all be washed away out to sea. Therefore, the sand is very precious to all that can visit.
Finally, you have made it to Hana. Hopefully, you have not missed any of the beautiful scenery along the Hana Highway including all the breath-taking waterfalls. What you will find in Hana will be an adventure and in the end, you will wish that you had scheduled more days to stay and take in all that Hana has to offer.
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