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Recently, I took a day trip to Hana to preview property for a client. The back road is the only way I go to Hana. It's one of my favorite roads on all of Maui. Usually the drive is mellow, with very little car traffic, mostly local folks who live in the area and the occasional cattle wandering the countryside.
The sloping desert is home to the native Wiliwili tree and is quite rugged, cut deep with gorges running down the mountain side. The view of Kaupo Gap from the backside of Haleakala is one of the most impressive sites on our island.
My mission for this adventure was to preview two beautiful East Maui properties for sale of large acreage in the Makalae area of East Maui. One of the 11 acre parcels is a former flower farm filled with many varieties of ginger, and fruit trees, with a seasonal stream and dipping pool . The adjoining 11 acres, being located above the flower farm, has a wide panoramic view of the ocean with the waves crashing against the shoreline below. The upper property borders state land, and the privacy of these two properties make them both very desirable. Hana has a special slow pace. Ruled by nature, sleepy, remote, lush and tropical, it is dotted with organic farms. Growing fruit, flowers and vegies in Hana is easy considering the daily rain squalls that come in off the ocean and the showers from the upper slopes. Many people have water catchment tanks on their properties to supply their needs. The average rainfall of Hana is around 400 inches per year, compared to the less than 10" per year in the central valley of Maui. More than 70 miles of water canals built in the late 1800's bring water from Hana to the center of Maui for the sugar cane.
Some years back, Hawaiians from Hana challenged this age old practice of water being taken from Hana stating they needed the water from the streams to grow wetland Taro. The Hawaiian word for fresh water is Waiwai, which also indicates wealth. The population of Native Hawaiian people is larger in Hana than in any other district of Maui.
I could not pass up the roadside stands selling Plumeria lei. This was one of the sweetest sights of my day. I stopped the car, took a photo and dropped some money in the can for a fragrant lei.
Many people visit Oheo Gulch located in Haleakala National Park and pass by these and other interesting stands and vendors along the way.
Overnight accommodations are available in Hana for guests wanting to unwind for a few days. If you are game to make it out and back in one day, stay at Hale Ho'okipa with me. We'll get you on the road after a great breakfast. It's a long day, but, well worth the effort. Stop often, smell the flowers, pull over to take in the views, eat the fruit, chat with the folks of the area. It's is an adventure to remember.
Hana is a beautiful place, and a relaxed state of mind.
A hui hou,
Cherie
