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The back story

Maui: Haleakalā, Wailea and the road to Hāna

In depth·Maui

Haleakalā’s summit at sunrise, the Wailea coast, the road to Hāna and Mama’s Fish House: Maui, a short flight from Honolulu.

By the ULTIMATE Hawaiʻi Editorial Team

Sunrise over the clouds and cinder cones of Haleakalā’s crater — Sunrise over the clouds and cinder cones of Haleakalā’s crater
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Mferbfriske · CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Maui is the island of the great volcano. Haleakalā rises over it, its summit a national park where the sunrise is watched by permit; the Wailea coast has the resorts; the road to Hāna winds east past waterfalls; and on West Maui, Lahaina is rebuilding after the fire of 2023.

Haleakalā

Watching sunrise in Haleakalā’s Summit District needs a reservation, and entry passes can be paid online ahead (National Park Service).

Wailea

Hotel Wailea keeps 72 suites on 15 acres above the coast; the Grand Wailea is the great beachfront resort below (their sites).

A waterfall and pool at Puaʻa Kaʻa on the Hāna Highway, Maui — A waterfall and pool at Puaʻa Kaʻa on the Hāna Highway, Maui
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Forest and Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0 us via Wikimedia Commons

West Maui

Lahaina is rebuilding after the wildfire of August 2023; the County of Maui’s recovery site has the latest. Kāʻanapali’s resorts are open.

Reserve the Haleakalā sunrise the moment your dates are fixed.

Our advice: the summit is cold before dawn; take warm layers whatever the weather on the coast.

Why it's on our list

Haleakalā
Wailea
Hāna
West Maui

Location

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