Great place right off of Highway 30 to catch the sunset! Beautiful views in general though. Parking…read moregets pretty packed closer to sunset so best to be a little early. You can even see other islands from this lookout. Worth putting aside 30 minutes to take in the scenery.

View Whale Papawai…read moreLookout (aka "the pali lookout") a scenic vista point along Honoapi'ilani Highway. The Good: *Doesn't need to be said, but I'll say it anyway: free! *Great 180° viewpoint with almost zero obstructions. *Views of Haleakalā, as well as the islands of Molokini, Kaho'olawe and Lana'i. *Evidently, this is the spot for whale watching. I can't confirm this as we arrived in April, which is towards the end of the whale spotting season (November-May w/ peak viewing being Jan-March). *Fantastic spot for sunsets *Paved parking lot w/ a left turn pocket for safe exit if you're traveling westbound. The Meh: * The parking lot is fit for maybe a dozen or so cars, and I've heard it can get full pretty quickly. The Ugly: *There's some trails to get you down closer to the water, but I'm not sure if they're official or just "social paths." Regardless, remember my dad's rule #1: I told you not to be stupid, you moron. TLDR: Fantastic views at my favorite price point.

Quick stop to check out the ancient Hawaiian petroglyphs…read more These are subtle but worth viewing. Little creek running nearby.

Common Draw Hawaiian…read morePetroglyphs (aka Pu'u Kilea) that are purported to be drawn in by some of the original inhabitants of the island of Maui. The Good: *Over 100 figures depicting animals and humans *It's definitely more interesting considering these native Hawaiian drawings and how closely they match some of the Native American's Petroglyphs that I've seen throughout the desert southwest. *1.1-mile out-and-back easy trail that begins at the Olowalu General Store *You can forgo the trail and drive right out to the Petroglyphs, but I'd highly recommend an AWD SUV, like a Jeep® or that ilk. *Dog-friendly trail *Free The Meh: *While interesting, it's def one of the least impressive displays of Petroglyphs I've seen, but I'm pretty spoiled. *While there are a decent amount of Petroglyphs, they're all very far away and difficult to see. Fwiw, the ones in my photos were taken with a 100-500mm lens. The Ugly: *Location of the Petroglyphs has a very creep Deliverance-style vibe to it. Also, be aware you're near some residences, so be prepared for a local yokel to come jamming thru the area at 80mph. TLDR: If you really want to see it, then buy all means, go for it. But, if you're on the fence about visiting, then definitely skip this. Only recommended for the true Hawaiian history connoisseur.

Giving the tree 5 stars for surviving the fire. While downtown Lahaina is gooooone, there are some…read morefabulous local restaurants to support - like Honu Oceanside.

The Lahaina Banyan Tree lives! After the 2023 fire it was questionable but the tree is being…read moreprotected and nurtured, and even though they had to remove a third of it, it is growing! There is fencing around the whole courtyard so you can't go under it, but you can walk all the way around it, and there is free parking nearby.

My father's family were born and raised in Lahaina and I finally made it to Pioneer Mill and to…read morefind our family's commemorative brick, which is laid at the base of the smokestack. It was a proud moment, knowing that my father's family were born and raised in Puukolii, Lahaina. As a youngster, I heard stories from my dad, uncles and auntie about life in Puukolii and growing-up in Lahaina. Being able to visit and see the landmarks was quite a sight.

If you never saw the original Pioneer Mill, you really missed seeing something wonderful from…read moreMaui's past. The gargantuan steel structure and smoky/sweet smell greeted you as you drove up Lahainaluna Road which was covered in dust, caked-on red dirt, and cane stalk remnants. The mill stood on both sides of the road with a bridge-like connector in the middle. Come present day, the only surviving artifact is a majestic 225 foot high smokestack that has been beautifully restored into a free visitable monument, complete with restored locomotives. For the past six years (since 2009) they held an event known as the Lahaina Plantation Days that showcased plantation history, exhibits, arts, crafts, entertainment, and food booths, which benefitted the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Sadly the event's finale was this year, 2015.

About 7 miles past Hana sits Wailua Falls, and it's absolutely worth the stop. This spectacular…read morewaterfall feels like one of those "you're really in Maui now" moments. It was raining when we went, which actually worked in our favor (fewer tourists). I highly recommend checking it out if you're already exploring that side of the island. And bonus, there's actually a small area where you can park, which feels like a miracle on the Road to Hana.

Beautiful waterfall with just a quick walk across the street, and a 2 minute walk closer to the…read morefalls! Definitely recommend.

Hey, who wants to be naughty and look at a Phallic?…read more If you don't know what a phallic is...........here is Google's interpretation - "Phallic" - relating to, or resembling a phallus, or erect penis. While visiting the Kalaupapa Overlook, there was a sign featuring another tourist attraction called the "Phallic Rock". Geez, I'm not one to rave about looking at a penis, but since I was here at the park already............I figured I mine as well make the trek to see it just for the adventure. The hike up the hill to the Phallic Rock will take you about 5 to 10 minutes, the trail way for this hike is not paved, so make sure you wear the proper shoes to make the hike up to see this rock. Be careful when walking along the pathway, as I noticed a lot of mossy rocks which can make pathway very slippery if the trail is wet, and to top it off, since the trail is in a Forrest area, there were also a lot of loose tree needles on the pathway, making the pathway hike for some unsure footing. Upon reaching the Phallic Rock, upon looking at it..........it didn't resemble a penis to me...........I would say it resembled more of a Honu (Turtle). There was a sign by the rock (see pic), as there is a story behind this legend. Worth the trip to see it? Perhaps, but I would say the real attraction was the Kalaupapa Overlook...........I wouldn't make a special trip just to see the Phallic Rock.

This place will always be close to my heart. It is impossible to write anything negative here when…read moreyou find yourself on one of the easiest hikes into a beautiful "jungle" of Hawaiian scenery leading to a monumental landmark before a gorgeous outlook! This is an established State Park, hiking trails & picnic area. There are public restrooms next to the parking lot & two trails to choose between. My Dad's favorite place was Phallic Rock. We vacationed to Molokai yearly growing up, always visiting this location. To honor his wishes, we made the trip this time to take him back to his favorite place. You don't have to pay to park or enjoy. There were only one or two others we encountered. An easy hike, about 1/4 mile to the infamous rock. Well maintained trail, just watch out for tree roots! I did it in flimsy flip-flops. The overlook & scenic areas are gorgeous. You get a view of the end of Molokai as well as the leper colony. There are some historic signs along the way that detail. But the entire trek is SO peaceful & beautiful. I could have spent the entire day there soaking in the serene beauty- almost "off the grid". This will forever be a favorite place- I do intend on keeping the tradition & coming back annually. Especially since part of our family will be there, eternally. Much appreciation to Hawaii's parks & recreation department for keeping this historic landmark there for all to enjoy over the years. It holds a special place, and meeting up with a local on our hike back to the parking lot offered an abundance more of history! I would highly recommend taking the time to visit this park & explore the trails. But, be respectful & keep it clean & serene! It's also a very cool story (displayed on signage) of how this place came to be with it's name. And, RIP to my dear Dad- forever 'dust in the wind' at this beloved & fun location.

Upper Waikani Falls is located between miles 19 and 20 on the Road to Hana. The entrance can be a…read morelittle hard to find but it's just next to the end of the bridge that you'll be driving on. It's a steep walk down which can be dangerous especially when it's wet. We were trying to find a place to park but all the closest areas had either no parking signs or cones. The closest parking area was a long walk away and at that point we weren't willing to park and walk down just to catch the waterfalls for a couple minutes. It is nice but the lack of parking makes it a hard place to stop.

Right on the way up that twisty windy road and a slightly tortuous climb down the edge of the…read morebridge await three gushing and one fine trickle waterfalls. Worth the climb down. Wear your swimsuit. Parking is just above the bridge on the left.

Reminder to self if you every get lost and start to notice you are going in circles, DO NOT PANIC!…read more The smarter thing to do is to leave a trail of bread crumbs. Lol. Thank goodness I was with a group when I first visited the Kaniakapupu Ruins. We were feeling a little adventurous so headed to the ruins from the Lulumalu hike parking area. We ventured off into the thick thick bamboo forest. The route we took initially had a path to follow then it eventually disappears. When we got there, the site was well worth the journey of getting lost. The ruins are breathtaking in its own way. This was once the summer palace for royalty so when you visit appreciate the beauty, respect this historic site, and don't take anything from the site. Kaniakapupu Ruins is one of Oahu's best kept secrets and should be enjoyed by all.

It's one of Oahu's best kept secret (only because direction to this place is difficult for most…read morepeople)! At this point I'm pondering whether or not I should post directions...so if you can make it to here based on my directions, kudos to you! If not, it just wasn't meant to be. Nestled discreetly in the heart of Nu'uanu Valley lies Kaniakapupu Ruins. Through the bamboo forest and amidst the shady, grown trees sits what used to be the summer home of King Kamehameha III. What remains is a couple of walls, a stone walkway and an outdoor kitchen. This place is considered sacred for many Hawaiians. Even if you are a non-believer in spirits and such, you would be wowed by the presence of something spiritually powerful and present there. Allow yourself to quiet your soul a bit and you will feel what many believe to be a strong "mana," or spiritual energy. I walked around the ruins and gasped at the thought of having 10,000 people gather at this place many, many years ago and I felt a strong energy around me, untouchable and unseen but nonetheless harmless and powerful. I got goosebumps (or as locals say, "chicken skin") all up and down my back, neck and arms. The peacefulness and serenity of the surrounding forest lends to the magical feeling I felt. There are many directions of how to arrive at the Ruins, however the most accurate one was that from fellow yelper Eric Robert R. - Get on Pali Hwy - Get on Old Pali Road - Look for a small looking type water plant/bldg. **Now the difficult part - the opening to the trail is opposite the water bldg; discreet and well hidden to the passerby. It's an opening in the bamboo forest - refer to the pictures on YELP if needed. If you stay on the (main/obvious) trail - you will hit a waterfall and stream. The trail does not have an obvious fork in the road, however if you veer onto the trail on the left you will see a worn path, stay on that path and trek a short 10 minutes. The forest opens up and therein lies the enchanted Kaniakapupu Ruins. This is more of a "nature walk" rather than a hike. Expect it to be really muddy and "sticky" after the rains and always apply mosquito repellent prior, as the mosquitos here are quite hungry. As with any local historical site, DO NOT disturb the building, rocks and plants here. It truly is a beauty and the historical value is priceless. There is something very special about this summer home that words alone cannot describe. This walk is perfect for children and for the novice hiker or nature enthusiast. I'm told that large groups are discouraged from coming here however, upon exiting the trail we did see a small tour bus full of tourist congregating to commence the walk. I don't know about you but I'm a little selfish when it comes to things like sharing "treasures" with the general tourist population aka large groups only because you cannot assure that the "treasure" will not be destroyed. I'd venture to say that it'll be just a matter of time before attempts to preserve this gem on a larger scale is realized.

Impressive historical site and good interpretive signed. The pathway is paved and some of it is…read moresuitable for wheelchairs.

This is a not to miss heritage of Hawaiian history with many items from the past. Although small,…read moreit is a clean and well cared for facilities.