Red Sand Beach, Hana
STAY
Pool at Travaasa
WAILEA / MAKENA AREA
Most of the these hotels are connected by an ocean view walking path so it’s easy to visit other hotels for dinner etc. If you stay here arrange a kayak tour with Maui Kayaks from Makena Landing.
Spa at Travaasa in Hana
The hippest of the Wailea hotel row with restaurants like Ka’ana Kitchen and Morimoto. Gorgeous infinity pools and sleek design that feels less overwhelming than some nearby hotels. Great snorkeling in front of the hotel where you can often see sea turtles.
VRBO in Wailea
If you’d like to be near the great beaches and hotel restaurants of Wailea but want to spend less and have a kitchen then the Elua and Ekahi condos are both great choices. The Ekahi is a bit more family friendly and less expensive than the Elua. I have stayed at and really liked this unit which has an ocean view balcony, beach chairs, full kitchen, BBQ and washer/dryer all a five minute walk to the beach
https://www.vrbo.com/232508 (1bd, 2ba)
VRBO in Makena
The most sea turtles ever right off the front of the house and a short drive to Makena beach. There are also other nice properties very close by worth exploring.
https://www.vrbo.com/251551 (2bd 1ba)
Lumeria
KAPALUA
Nice budget option right on the beach with full kitchens. Connected by a walking path to restaurants like Merriman’s and other hotels.
Splurgey hotels nearby are the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua and The Montage Kapalua Bay
Outdoor yoga at Lumeria
PAIA
A quaint tucked away hotel focused on yoga very close to the cute hippie town of Paia. Paia is mostly independently run restaurants and boutiques with a laidback surfer vibe. Also a great jumping off point for a day trip to Hana.
HANA
The only full service hotel in Hana and worth the splurge. High end but so tasteful with cottages and lanais (porches) that are not ostentatious but blend in with the landscape. Great but resort priced restaurant and spa. No beach here but free shuttle to nearby Hamoa with loungers for hotel guests. Would be worth splitting your time between here and then the Southeast shore.
EAT
Poke Is the Hawaiian verb for slice or cut. Ahi poke Is the traditional version but other cubed fish are now popular with seasonings like soy sauce, green onions, and masago. In general supermarket poke from places like Foodland are cheap and delicious and have free samples.
So pricey but so fresh with fish that melts in your mouth. The fish entree descriptions tells you who and where in Hawaii the fish was caught – doesn’t get more fresh and local than that. The “Ahi caught by Amando Baula near our deep ocean buoys grilled in a ti leaf” is not to be missed.
Small, local, reservations are a must with only 10 counter seats and a few tables. In a strip mall but fresh and delicious.
If you can’t get into Koiso this is a nice backup. Simple and fresh sushi but lacking in atmosphere.
Higher end restaurant focused on local ingredients at the Andaz in Wailea. The Bumbye Beachbar poolside restaurant at the Andaz is also delicious but expect to pay resort prices.
Casual order at the counter place with local seafood prepared any which way. People watching is great too with surfers wandering in barefoot for lunch. Location in Paia and Kihei.
Huge wood-fired pizzas full of locals and tourists alike in Paia.
Raw food restaurant connected to the health-focused grocery store Mana Foods.
Massive and beyond delicious fish tacos with mango salsa. Two locations in Kihei.
A bit of a destination in Makawao in a sweet wraparound porch building with homey gourmet food. The macadamia nut Mahi Mahi is a must.
The gold standard of shave (not shaved) ice. Perfectly smooth, melt in your mouth ice with flavors that don’t taste artificial but actually like fruit. The perfect order: “Sunset Beach” (Guava, Mango, Passion Orange) over macadamia nut ice cream topped with hand-cut mochi.
Ahi Carpaccio at Ka’ana Kitchen at The Andaz, Wailea
Ka’ana Kitchen at The Andaz Wailea
Macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi at Hali'imaile General Store
Mama’s Fish House
Fish tacos at Coconuts
Shave ice from Ululani’s
Riding a moped near Kahakuloa Village
The Seven Sacred Pools in Hana
Cliff jumping at Venus Pool in Hana
Waimoku Falls in Hana
Kayaking in Makena
Honolua Bay Trail
Sunrise at Haleakala
DO
CENTRAL MAUI
Haleakala National Park
So the way to do this is wake up at 4am or earlier and drive in the dark to sea the sunrise over the volcanic crater. It will be packed with tourists and tripods. Bring a flashlight or headlamp as there are spots and hills nearby where you can sneak away from the crowd but only if you can see where you are going. I’ve heard sunset on a clear day is just as beautiful but haven’t tried it yet.
Ali’Kula Lavendar Farm
On your way down the mountain from Haleakala stop off here for gorgeous gardens where someone who works there may even show you a chameleon he found. The gift shop sells all things lavender.
Baldwin Ave
If it’s rainy or you just need a beach break wandering Baldwin Ave in Paia is very cute and hippy with some sweet shops.
Maui Tropical Plantation
Sweet farm to visit with nice grounds and restaurant called Mill House. Gorgeous mountain views.
HANA
Red Sand Beach
This is truly a showstopper. Travaasa nor any locals will tell you how to get here because they’d prefer to keep it a secret and untouched so please when you go be respectful and don’t leave any trash behind. The trail here begins at Uakea Rd and it’s best visited in the morning to beat the crowds.
Ohe’o Gulch, aka The Seven Sacred Pools
Gorgeous waterfalls cascading into pools you can dip in ending at the ocean. Go early.
Pipiwai Trail (Hana Hwy mile marker 41)
After your early morning dip in the Seven Sacred Pools head here and start hiking. The journey is almost the destination here with massive bamboo forests and a banyan tree straight out of the movie Avatar. At the end you will be rewarded with a 400 foot waterfall.
Venus Pool
Good place to watch or join cliff jumpers
NORTHWEST
Rent a moped and drive this scenic winding road in Kahakuloa. Stop off at Olivine Pools to take a dip in lava rock pools. If the water seems at all rough or the tide high do not go – people have been swept out to sea here.
Julia’s Banana Bread
Pray the stand is open as hours are fickle. Delicious banana bread.
WEST
Walk the seaside path from Napili Bay up the coast and cliff jump at Cliff House.
Honolua Bay Trail
Gorgeous path through giant trees where you feel completely dwarfed by nature. At the end you’ll be rewarded by a great snorkeling spot.
WAILEA / MAKENA
Walk the ocean view path between all the Wailea hotels. Sunset is particularly nice and good to go before a drink or dinner at one of the properties.
Snorkel at Makena Landing and try to sea turtles. Never touch or get too close to a turtle.
Makena Beach
Hang on the main beach or tap into your hippie self and head all the way to the right to climb over to Little Beach which is clothing optional.
Bring It Home
-Julia’s Banana Bread
-Paul Maui vodka made at Hali’imaile Distilling
- Dark chocolate covered macadamia nuts
How I Got That Shot
My friend/assistant/model and I woke up early at Travaasa in Hana and drove a few minutes down the road to hike to Red Sand Beach. The trail there is very vertical and a bit harrowing but offers great views down onto the beach. Because most of the tourists drive into Hana for the day we were able to be one of the first ones at the beach that day. She went ahead of me and sat in the curve of the beach which added scale to the photo. The polarizer helped cut the glare of the water and sand while making the colors richer. I also shot this on digital but prefer the colors and texture of the film shot so was worth lugging the extra camera in the end!
Pentax 67II with the 55mm lens and a polarizer. Kodak Portra film.