Hana -Where We Live

Hana is unlike any other part of Maui. Although there are beaches (at least 5 that are swimmable) there are no beach resorts, no high rises (a two story home is as big as it gets) no jet ski rentals, no surf shops, no Burger Kings or any other type of franchise.

On the far eastern end of Maui, the local community of Hana works hard to maintain its identity, its culture.

It is unlike much of the rest of the island which, we are told, is nothing like it was 20 years ago.

To a large part this lack of development is because of the difficulty of getting here. The Hana Highway is world-known for its beauty and its treacherous nature.

But once the tourists get here (and for some unknown reason they come in either Mustang convertibles or silver Jeeps -Why? I don’t know) there is just not much for those who are thrill seekers to do.

I overheard one tourist getting out of his ubiquitous Mustang ask, “This is why we drove all this way, banana bread?”

The beauty of Hana is not showy; it’s in its simplicity, and it takes time to see it.

                      Much of Hana is land for beef cows to be sold stateside.

One travel brochure described this as Hana's "mall." It consists of a gift shop, a small restaurant, the post office, and the bank which is open for an hour and a half a day.

                    The Hasegawa General Store, serving Hana since 1910.

                                Some of the coastline is rugged rock
,

and some is beautiful beach.

                                                 
                                                    -more to follow-