Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Of the gardens, the most interesting is the canoe garden, landscaped with taro and oth-
er plants brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. The scope is amazing, as the
garden holds the world's largest breadfruit tree collection and a remarkable variety of
coconut palms.
reaching 450ft in length. The history of this astounding heiau is shrouded in mystery, but
there's no doubt that it was an important religious site for Hawaiians. Archaeologists be-
lieve construction began as early as AD 1200 and the heiau was built in sequences. The
final grand scale was the work of Piʻilani (the heiau's name means House of Piʻilani), the
14th-century Maui chief who is also credited with the construction of many of the coastal
fishponds in the Hana area. It's a memorable place to bring the entire family and children
12 years and under are admitted free.
Visiting Kahanu Garden takes a couple of hours, so few day-trippers come this way
and you may have the place to yourself. The site, on Kalahu Point, is 1.5 miles down
ʻUlaʻino Rd from the Hana Hwy. The road is crossed by a streambed immediately before
reaching the gardens; if it's dry you should be able to drive over it OK, but if it's been
raining heavily don't even try.
Hana Lava Tube
CAVE
MAP
afraid of the dark? See for yourself at the end of this fascinating underground walk by
flipping off your flashlights. Eerie! The lava tubes, which reach heights of up to 40ft,
contain a unique ecosystem of dripping stalactites and stalagmites. A hand railing runs
beside the main path, which is dotted with explanatory markers. Admission for the self-
guided tour includes two flashlights and optional hard hats.
These caves are so formidable that they once served as a slaughterhouse - 17,000lb of
cow bones had to be removed before they were opened to visitors! The tubes, which are
on ʻUlaʻino Rd at mile marker 31, take about one hour to explore.
RED WATERS
On certain nights of the year, the waters in Waiʻanapanapa State Park's lava-tube
caves take on a red hue. Legend says it's the blood of a princess and her lover who
were killed in a fit of rage by the princess's jealous husband after he found them
hiding together here. Less romantic types attribute the phenomenon to swarms of
