Private: Hana Bound! Day trip to Hana and Back

As your journey begins, we pass the swaying jurassic grasses of Maui's sugar cane fields. Stories of Maui's plantation era will bring these giant grass fields to life with rich history. Our first stop is Hookipa Beach Park to take in a bird's eye view of this world class surfing and wind surfing hot spot. Walk down to visit the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles basking on the shoreline. We transition to the rolling countryside of Huelo which gives way to thick bamboo forest. We stop at the vibrantly colored rainbow eucalyptus for some tree hugging before traveling deeper into the winding turns of the Road to Hana. Along this shady curving road, we see streams and waterfalls packed with ferns, moss, fruit trees, birds and bamboo. We may stop for a swim in waterfall pool (depends on water levels). Then visit fruit stands for shaved ice & Maui's famous Banana Bread. Drive down to the Keanae Peninsula, site of a traditional Hawaiian village known for its taro fields. Tended by mahiai (cultivators) in the same fashion as their Hawaiian ancestors. There we will visit an original stone missionary church built in 1856, the lone building to survive the devastating tsunami of 1946. Wailua, the village next door, is our next stop. It brings us to the best waterfall the road has to offer, a grand, three-tiered falls named Waikani. If you wish, we can take a short, adventurous trail to the base of the falls for pictures & swimming. Next, we head to an underground path through an ancient lava flow. With the use of headlamps, we observe many interesting features making it a must-see for those interested in caves, geology & Hawaiian mythology. Here, we learn about Pele, the Goddess of Fire, creator of the Hawaiian Islands and a well-known deity often referred to as Ka wahine ai honua, The earth-eating woman. Do you believe in dessert before lunch? If yes, then we will park at Coconut Glens to fully explore the culinary delights of candy & ice cream made from Maui coconuts. As we glide closer to Hana town, we stop at Waianapanapa Beach Park. The translation for Waianapanapa is glistening water or water flashing rainbow hues. The name is perfect as the powerful contrast between the black, pebble lava field and the deep blue-greens of the ocean are dazzling. A path leads us to a naturally made lava and powerful blowhole. The cove-shaped black sand beach opens to an ocean cave on the east side that can be traveled through to the ocean. Here we can dip in the ocean, swim through the sea caves or just enjoy the glorious tropical beauty at this world famous Maui beach park. Next, is the Nahiku Marketplace, a mini-village of tropical delights. This is a great place to enjoy local-style cuisine such as smoked fish, coconut shrimp or baked ulu (breadfruit)so delicious! Find a variety of locally made gifts, including rare shell and semiprecious stone jewelry, spiritual icons, woodwork, glass art, paintings and more. Our final destination is Hana town. An area once favored by the Alii (royalty) and the seat of power for the entire island in the 15th Century. Learn about the metamorphisis from these native times through the plantation era ending in modern day.