EAST MAUI: THE ROAD TO HANA - Maui: Including Molokai and Lanai - page 498

steak. Seating is limited and the setting is little more than a parking lot, but this is a good
place to pick up a meal to enjoy at nearby Hamoa Beach.
Fifty yards farther down the road on the ocean side of the highway is the Braddah
Hutt's BBQ Grill (11am-2:30pm Mon.-Sat., $8-14). The portions are filling and the plates
are ono, but this food truck is popular with tour groups. Don't stop if you're in a rush
(or just don't be in a rush anyway, because this is Hana!). Plates range from fish tacos to
grilled steak or mahimahi.
Cool down with a unique and fruity treat at Shaka Pops (5240 Hana Hwy., 808/
344-1245, www.shakapopsmaui.com , 10am-4pm most days), in the general vicinity of the
gas station. These gourmet ice pops use ingredients like Maui pineapples and Kula straw-
berries for a fresh taste far better than any mass-produced popsicle.
KIPAHULU AND BEYOND
If you plan on driving “the back road” all the way to the other side of the island, don't ex-
pect many food options. In nearly 35 miles of roadway between Hasegawa General Store
and Kanaio, there are exactly three—one of which is only open on Sunday nights. The oth-
er two are known to close without warning. If you're planning on venturing from Hana to
'Ohe'o (Seven Pools) and then continuing around the back side of the island, stock up on
water and snacks at Hasegawa General Store or a fruit stand, lest you get marooned with a
rumbling stomach and parched lips.
Fruit Stand
The most consistent fruit stand is quirky Laulima Farm (9am-5pm Tues.-Sun.) at mile
marker 40.6, just past the turnoff for Maui Stables and Palapala Ho'omau Church. Laulima
specializes in certified organic, GMO-free produce which they craft into salads and road-
side cuisine. Everything is plucked straight from the earth. The staff here are all stoked to
be alive; a spirit of community permeates the jungle compound.
Ho'onanea Farms (mile marker 40.9) operates a small roadside stand that starts
serving coffee as early as 7am. A few store-bought pastry items accompany the cuppa (ex-
pect to pay more since you're in the middle of nowhere). The stand usually only stays open
for a couple of hours in the morning and operates on a variable schedule. Nevertheless, if
it's a Monday morning and Laulima Farm is closed, this small outpost will save you from
driving 30 minutes back to Hana just for coffee.