Hana & Todd’s Birthday!!!

We have been planning this trip to Hana for a few days since the McAdams hadn’t been yet. We packed lunches and squeezed into the minivan rental. Hana is a long trip and we needed to get going early! Our first stop was a great waterfall spot where the girls got into the water for a perfect photo opportunity. 

There are lots of visuals to see along the road to Hana, but there aren’t always opportunities to park and get out. Many of the bridges have beautiful waterfalls to see for a quick second as you drive over them, but they don’t usually have a walking path or easy access to get into the water. This was a perfect stop for a quick dip, but we also saw these two cuties - who were very clearly social and excited for the visitors  

Eventually, we finally found ourselves at the bottom of the road to Hana. We stopped at Hana Bay Beach and had our picnic lunch. We were killing some time before our reservation time at the Wai’ānapanapa State Park, which means glistening waters. They require reservations now since COVID, so if you plan to go, be sure to check that out beforehand. 

It was a short walk down to the black sand beach and the cave, where funny enough, a couple was taking their wedding photos. It’s nice to see something different, but the waves here crashed pretty hard on the beach so we didn’t venture into the waters. 

The rest of our journey took us to the very end of Hana and the meandering road south through Haleakala National Park. Yes, we took the road less traveled. We’ve done it once before and we did it again today. 

Things that we didn't remember, the road being that long, the road being that bumpy, and seeing goats. It was entertaining and also uneventful which made me happy since this road can sometimes cause cars to break down. Thank goodness for a safe trip!

We rounded the southern way and about three hours later we found ourselves in Kaanapali picking up poke for the kids for dinner. Todd was also happy with his birthday poke bowl, and I was thrilled to have more leftover fried rice and corn on the cob. A chocolate chunk Costco cookie and two tall glasses of Sangria later, and this mama is ready for bed.

The girls went swimming, made popcorn, and played some cards while us adults stared off into space and relaxed after our exhausting day. The road is Hana isn’t for wimps.

Where were the others you ask? They skipped Hana and went to Wailua to shop and check out the other side of the island. They had lunch and got back to the condo just an hour before we did. Then we all had a chance to deconstruct our day and fill each other in on all the details over cocktails and a few phone calls for Todd’s birthday.