A Motorcycle Guide to the Road to Hana

90 Hana Hwy., Paia, HI,
808-579-8340
Cruise to the bucolic surf centre of Pa’ia on the island’s north coast for freshly roasted coffee and tasty pastries from Anthony’s Coffee Co. They also offer boxed lunches—a good idea, considering the spotty options on the road. Pa’ia is also the last stop for gas before Hana, so fill’er up.

Watch for the trail sign between mile markers 9 and 10. The stop gives you a chance to stretch your legs on a quick and easy hike. Check out flora like bamboo and Hawaiian shampoo ginger. Trail signs read “Quiet. Trees at work”—an ideal reminder to take your time and breathe deep as you negotiate your hog through paradise.

A must-stop photo op, where quilt-like taro patches bump up against the striking Pacific Ocean backdrop. Locals may even be seen throwing nets into the blue to catch dinner.

Waterfalls are the big attraction here, and they don’t disappoint. For a less-crowded and prettier view, scramble down the rocky trail to the base of the falls on the far side of the bridge. It’s slippery, but not too challenging. In the rainy season, the falls can be torrential, so only swim if the water flow is low.

This park has more highlights than you likely have time for—black sand beach, amazing views of rugged lava coastline, underground lava tubes, sea arches, fresh water pools and even an ocean blowhole. It can be busy, but parking is a non-issue for bikes. But the beach is more eye candy than spot in the sun—the sand is pebbly and the surf rough.

Cruise past Hana to Ohe’o Gulch, where Highway 360 changes numbers to 31, for one of the most epic seascapes on the planet. Here, a stunning string of pools and waterfalls cascades into the deep-blue ocean. It’s all so beautiful, you really don’t care that the Seven Sacred Pools are neither seven nor holy. The lower pools are best for swimming or for gawking at cliff-jumping daredevils (but beware flash floods if it’s raining). Since this is part of Haleakala National Park, the gulch costs $5 to enter, but the fee also gives you access to the Pipiwai Trail and the 400-foot Waimoku Falls, plus the Haleakala crater off Highway 37.

170 Hana Hwy.,
About a kilometre and a half past Ohe’o, try a different set of wheels at this funky produce stand selling organic veggies, taro and tropical fruits. Its claim to fame is the bicycle-powered smoothie blender. Customers pay five bucks and get to pedal (and blend) their way to a fresh delicious fruit smoothie featuring rare tropical ingredients like the tangy and creamy soursop.