Hanawi Falls: Maui’s Hidden Road to Hana Waterfall and Swimming Pool

There is a stretch of the Road to Hana where the rainforest closes in, the road narrows to a single lane, and waterfalls start appearing at almost every bend. Around mile marker 24, one of them sits right at the edge of the highway. That is Hanawi Falls, a Road to Hana waterfall stop that is famous for being easy to see and surprisingly easy to rush past.

Unlike the falls that require a long hike or a paid parking lot, Hanawi Falls is a quick roadside stop. You pull over near a small bridge, step out, and there it is: a graceful cascade dropping through a wall of green. If you want to understand how this stop works, what to expect, and how to visit it safely, this guide has you covered.

What Makes Hanawi Falls Special

Hanawi Falls is fed by Hanawi Stream, which drains one of the wettest valleys on the northeast slope of Haleakala. The Hanawi watershed is famous among rain watchers because it collects rain almost every day of the year. That constant flow means the falls rarely dry up, even during the drier summer months when some Hana Highway waterfalls slow to a trickle.

The falls themselves come in two parts. The Upper Hanawi Falls is the one you can see from the road. It drops about 30 feet over a mossy cliff into a small, clear pool, framed by tree ferns, wild ginger, and native hala plants. It is the classic Road to Hana photograph: white water against deep green, mist hanging in the air.

A second, much larger lower falls plunges farther downstream. It is dramatically tall, but it is difficult to reach and the trail passes through private land. Most visitors never see it, and you should not try to reach it. The upper falls is the star of the show here, and it is more than worth the stop.

What makes this stop special is not just the waterfall. It is the setting. The bridge that crosses Hanawi Stream is a narrow, old-style crossing typical of the Hana Highway, draped in vines and surrounded by rainforest. Standing on it, listening to the water and the birds, you get a real taste of the Hana coast in about ten minutes.

Where to Find Hanawi Falls: Directions

Hanawi Falls sits on the Hana Highway (Route 360), about half a mile past mile marker 24 as you drive from Paia toward Hana. If you are tracking your progress from the start of the highway in Paia, the falls are roughly 34 miles into the drive.

You will not see the falls from the road. That is the trick of this stop. Instead, watch for a small bridge over Hanawi Stream just after mile marker 24. The falls are on the mauka (mountain) side of the bridge, and the best viewing point is from the bridge itself.

Driving directions

• From Paia, take the Hana Highway (Route 36, which becomes Route 360) east.
• Pass mile marker 24 and continue about half a mile.
• Cross the narrow bridge over Hanawi Stream. Pull over at one of the small shoulders just before or after the bridge.
• Walk to the bridge railing and look toward the mountain side to see the falls.

The whole Hana Highway drive is about 64 miles of winding road with more than 600 curves and dozens of one-lane bridges, so take your time. Hanawi Falls usually appears after about two hours of driving from Paia, depending on how many stops you make along the way.

Viewing the Falls from the Bridge

The bridge is the viewing platform at Hanawi Falls. There is no trailhead, no overlook deck, and no path to the base of the falls from the highway. You stand on the bridge, look upstream, and take in the view.

The good news is that the view is genuinely lovely. The falls drop through a curtain of rainforest, and on a calm morning the mist catches the light in a way that makes the whole scene glow. Photographers should bring a wide lens and expect spray on clear, high-flow days.

Stay on the bridge and the road shoulder. The banks around the stream are steep, muddy, and slick with moss. This is not a place for scrambling, and there is no safe path down to the pool from the bridge area. If you want to get closer to the water, the only reasonable option is the small pool area some visitors reach from the roadside, and even that requires care, which we cover in the safety section below.

Swimming at Hanawi Falls: An Honest Assessment

You may have seen photos of people swimming in a pool at Hanawi Falls. It does happen. On calm, dry days, some visitors wade into the shallow pool below the upper falls for a quick dip. The water is cold, clear, and deeply refreshing after a long drive.

But be honest with yourself about the conditions before you get in. Hanawi Stream drains one of the wettest valleys on Maui, and flash flooding is a real danger. A sunny morning at the falls does not mean the water is safe. Rain falling miles upstream can send a surge of brown, fast water down the channel with almost no warning.

If you do swim, follow these rules:

• Swim only on calm, dry days when the water is clear.
• Enter the pool feet first, never dive. The depth changes after every storm.
• Never swim alone, and never let children swim unsupervised.
• Never stand under the waterfall. Falling rocks and debris are a danger.
• If the water starts rising or turns brown, get out immediately.

If conditions look rough, skip the swim and enjoy the falls from the bridge. There are safer swimming spots elsewhere on the Road to Hana, and no dip is worth a rescue.

The Hike: What to Expect

Let us be direct: there is no real hike at Hanawi Falls. This is a roadside stop, not a trail destination. The viewing happens from the bridge, and the walk from your car to the railing is a matter of steps.

Some visitors explore a short distance along the road shoulder to get a better angle for photos. If you do, wear shoes with grip. The ground beside the road is uneven, muddy, and slick with wet leaves and moss. Stay on the road side of the guardrail and do not try to descend the banks.

The trail to the lower falls is another matter entirely. It is steep, treacherous, and crosses private land. It is not a public trail, it is not maintained, and it is not worth the risk. If you want a proper waterfall hike on the Road to Hana, plan for the Pipiwai Trail in Haleakala National Park instead, which is a legitimate, maintained trail to the 400-foot Waimoku Falls. You can read more about Maui hiking adventures in our guide to outdoor adventures in Hawaii.

Hanawi Falls Safety: Read Before You Go

Waterfall stops on the Road to Hana are beautiful, but they deserve respect. Hanawi Falls is no exception. Keep these safety points in mind:

• Never try to reach the lower falls. The route is steep, slippery, and crosses private property. It is not a trail.
• Watch for flash floods. The Hanawi valley is extremely wet. Water can rise fast even on a clear day.
• Wear proper shoes. Moss-covered rocks and muddy ground are everywhere near the stream. Skip the flip-flops.
• Park safely. The pull-offs are small. Signal before stopping, never block the bridge or the road, and be ready to move on if there is no space.
• Leave no trace. There are no trash cans here. Pack out everything you bring in.
• Keep your eyes on children. The bridge has a railing, but the stream banks do not.

When to Visit Hanawi Falls

Hanawi Falls flows year round thanks to the constant rain in the Hanawi valley, so there is no bad month for this stop. That said, a few timing tips will improve your visit:

• Go early. Arrive before 9 AM for the calmest light, the fewest cars, and the best chance at an empty pull-off. The morning sun filtering through the mist is also the most photogenic.
• Visit on a dry morning. After a dry spell, the falls are gentler and the pool is clearer. After heavy rain, the falls roar but the pool is brown and unsafe.
• Stop on the return drive. Many visitors hit the far end of the Road to Hana first and save waterfall stops for the way back, when traffic is lighter.
• Pair it with nearby stops. Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park at mile marker 22 has restrooms and picnic tables, making it a good base stop before Hanawi Falls.

What to Bring

This is a quick stop, not a day hike, so pack light. Still, a few things will make the visit better:

• Water shoes or shoes with good grip if you want to leave the road
• A towel and a change of clothes if you plan to swim
• Bug spray, since the rainforest is thick with mosquitoes
• A rain jacket, because Hana coast weather changes fast
• A trash bag, since there are no cans and you must pack everything out
• Cash and snacks from earlier stops, since there are no food stands here

There are no facilities at Hanawi Falls: no restrooms, no drinking water, no trash cans, and no fee. Plan your bathroom and snack stops at Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park (mile marker 22) or at stops farther along the highway.

See Hanawi Falls on Video

Nearby Stops on the Road to Hana

Hanawi Falls works best as part of a string of waterfall stops. Here is what sits nearby:

• Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside Park (mile marker 22): restrooms, picnic tables, and easy waterfall viewing. The best place to use the bathroom before Hanawi Falls.
• Makapipi Falls (past mile marker 25): another roadside cascade with a clear blue pool, just a short drive past Hanawi Falls.
• Wailua Valley State Wayside (mile marker 18): a scenic overlook of the Wailua valley and coastline, worth a stop on the way.
• Nahiku village: a small community just past the falls with food stands and local color.
• Wai’anapanapa State Park: the famous black sand beach, about 30 minutes past the falls. Reservations are required for entry.

If you are building a full Road to Hana itinerary, check out our reasons to visit Maui for more trip-planning ideas, and our guide to the best places to visit in Maui in winter if you are traveling in the cooler months. South Maui is worth a day too: see our guide to the best things to do in Wailea.

Hanawi Falls FAQs

Where is Hanawi Falls?

Hanawi Falls is on the Hana Highway (Route 360) on Maui, about half a mile past mile marker 24. It is visible from the small bridge that crosses Hanawi Stream.

Is there parking at Hanawi Falls?

There is no parking lot. Small pull-offs sit on the road shoulder just before and after the bridge. Never block the road or the bridge, and be prepared to drive on if both shoulders are full.

Can you swim at Hanawi Falls?

Some visitors swim in the pool below the upper falls on calm, dry days. Flash flooding is a real danger, so swim only in clear, calm water, enter feet first, never swim alone, and get out immediately if the water rises or turns brown.

Is there a hike to Hanawi Falls?

There is no official hike. The upper falls are viewed from the bridge. The route to the lower falls is steep, dangerous, and crosses private land, so you should not attempt it.

How much does it cost to visit?

Nothing. Hanawi Falls is a free roadside stop with no fees and no facilities.

What is the best time to visit?

Early morning, before 9 AM, for the best light and the fewest cars. The falls flow year round, but they are clearest and calmest after dry spells.

Hanawi Falls is one of those Road to Hana stops that rewards slowing down. It will not take more than fifteen or twenty minutes of your day, but standing on that small bridge with the falls pouring through the rainforest is the kind of moment the Hana Highway is famous for. Drive carefully, park responsibly, respect the water, and enjoy one of Maui’s most accessible waterfalls.