Google Maps Features Street View of Hawai‘i’s Most Popular Highway

Highway 36. Hawaiʻi’s most popular highway, famously known by its other name: the Road to Hāna, can now be virtually viewed with Google Maps’ Street View.

Featuring 52 miles of lush rainforests, remote beaches, countless waterfalls, and roadside stands, The Road to Hāna is what most people dream about when they think of Hawaiʻi. Winding through Maui’s lush rainforests with one lane bridges and sharp turns, the trip is definitely not for the fearful.

Nonetheless, with Google Map’s Street view, anyone can now virtually test drive Hawaiʻi’s noteworthy highway before deciding to embark on the unforgettable journey.

As with any fulfilling journey, it is about the stops along the way that make it worthwhile. So here are a few stops to look out for as you embark on your virtual—or non-virtual—road trip to Hāna:

Pā‘ia Town

According to the Hāna Millennium Legacy Trail, the Road to Hāna begins at the historic Pā‘ia Town. The charming laid-back Maui town has deep roots going way back to Maui’s agricultural history. Its residents, also born from the migrants of the Counter Culture Revolution and windsurfers, reflect the artsy businesses that populate the town—from eclectic restaurants, galleries, coffee shops, to one-of-a-kind shops. Travelers usually find themselves in Pāʻia Town grabbing some packed lunch or filling up their tank for the rest of the trip.

Ho‘okipa Beach Park

Near mile marker 8, travelers can stretch their legs and find one of Maui’s best beaches—Hoʻokipa Beach Park. If you can secure a spot at the Hoʻokipa Lookout, expect to witness a myriad of surfers and windsurfers honing their craft in the waves. Known for its great waves and steady winds, Hoʻokipa Beach Park is a favorite for surfers from around the world.

In a different entrance nearby, travelers can also access the beach below to get a closer view of the famous sunbathing sea turtles.

The Garden of Eden Arboretum

The Garden of Eden gained its popularity when it first debuted in Jurassic Park’s opening sequence. Maui’s Garden of Eden has been open to the public since September 1996, receiving recognition from the State of Hawaiʻi for its conservation practices and proper land use.

Hāna’s The Garden of Eden offers stunning panoramic vistas of the Pacific, Upper Puohokamoa Falls and an elaborate series of flora and fauna, The Garden of Eden is a must-see on the Road to Hāna.

Ching’s Pond

Near the 17-mile marker, Ching’s Pond is a popular swimming hole that some travelers pass by without even knowing it’s there. Daring local divers and visitors alike are often seen making adventurous leaps from the lower portions of the pond and upper portions of the bridge.

The freshwater stream from Ching’s Pond is also a direct source of water to homes in the area, so it is encouraged to keep it clean.

Waiʻānapanapa State Park

Hāna’s black sand beach, Waiʻānapanapa State Park, is most likely one of the most historical and beautiful stops on the Road to Hāna. The Maui beach park boasts glittering black sands formed from the collision of lava flows and ocean waves for a thousand years.

Along the coast, visitors will also discover lava tubes, fresh water caves, and unique hiking trails that travelers can spend the whole day exploring.

No matter what sights you plan on seeing, make sure to plan accordingly and remember that it is the journey that makes the trip worth it and not the destination.

Looking for a unique way to explore Hāna? Discover East Maui’s unique sights with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters, click here.