Freshwater lava caves in Waianapanapa state park on the island of maui, Hawaii.

© Pierre Leclerc/Shutterstock

Lava Caves

The Road to Hana


A 10-minute loop path north of the beach parking lot leads to a pair of freshwater lava-tube caves. Their garden-like exteriors are draped with ferns, while their interiors harbor deep spring-fed pools with resident fish. Waiʻanapanapa means ‘glistening waters’ and the pools’ crystal-clear mineral waters reputedly rejuvenate the skin. They will certainly invigorate – these sunless pools are refreshingly brisk!


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Road to Hana attractions

1. Paʻiloa Beach

0.03 MILES

The small beach here is a stunner – hands down the prettiest black-sand beach on Maui. Walk on down, sunbathe, enjoy. But if you jump in, be very cautious…

2. Blowhole

0.12 MILES

When the sea is ferocious, on the early part of the Piʻilani Trail and just north of Pa'iloa Beach you'll find this dramatic blowhole (it's signposted)…

3. Waiʻanapanapa State Park

0.17 MILES

Wai'anapanapa means 'glistening waters', and the clear mineral waters in the cave pools here will leave you feeling squeaky clean. There's a natural lava…

4. Hana Lava Tube

1.55 MILES

Who's afraid of the dark? Test yourself at the end of this underground walk by switching off your flashlight. Eerie! One of the odder sights on the Road…

5. Piʻilanihale Heiau & Kahanu Garden

2.48 MILES

Probably the most significant stop on the entire Road to Hana, this site combines a 294-acre ethnobotanical garden with the magnificent Piʻilanihale Heiau…

6. Hana Cultural Center

2.53 MILES

This down-home museum displays some interesting local artifacts. The best is an entire three-bench courthouse (c 1871). Although it looks like a museum…

8. Hana Bay Beach Park

2.69 MILES

Croquet by the beach? Why not? Welcome to Hana's version of the town plaza, a bayside park where children splash in the surf, picnickers enjoy the view…

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