HCM Guidebook
Aloha, E Komo Mai.
Hello, and Welcome to Happy Campers Maui. Our mission is to make your adventure on Maui not only unforgettable, but safe, simple, and unique.
If you have further questions after reading through our Guidebook, please send us a message. Mahalo! Owners, Amber and Ez Martinez
Makena Big Beach
Sightseeing
There is so much to see and do it can be challenging to pick and choose. The van is able to travel around the island, with the exception of the Northwest tip, cannot go past the Nakaele Blowhole and on the Northeast side cannot go past the Waihee Ridge trail. The road is too dangerous in the large van. For the Road to Hana, the van cannot go past the Pools at Ohe'o. The road that you take in is the same road as coming back out.
Excellent day trip location. Find a place to park around Front Street and spend the afternoon or evening walking the iconic Blvd. There are great restaurants, shopping, and historic sightseeing. Keep traveling North towards Napili and Kapalua for epic beaches and amazing views of Molokai.
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Lahaina
Excellent day trip location. Find a place to park around Front Street and spend the afternoon or evening walking the iconic Blvd. There are great restaurants, shopping, and historic sightseeing. Keep traveling North towards Napili and Kapalua for epic beaches and amazing views of Molokai.
One of the most popular sites in Hawaii, it is also home to five distinctly different climate zones, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and stunning views. It can be reached via Hwy 377/378 also known as Haleakala Hwy. Check into early for reservations for the sunrise on top of the mountain.
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Haleakalā National Park Summit Entrance
One of the most popular sites in Hawaii, it is also home to five distinctly different climate zones, breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and stunning views. It can be reached via Hwy 377/378 also known as Haleakala Hwy. Check into early for reservations for the sunrise on top of the mountain.
From Central Kahului head east towards the quaint town of Paia. There are great North Shore beaches along the way to check out. Find a place to park once you arrive and choose from the many great restaurants for your next meal. Check out the fantastic health food store- Mana Foods, as well as the Maui Dharma Center's Paia Peace Stupa. From Paia check out the famous Ho'okipa Beach Park.
Head up country from Paia to Makawao, Kula and eventually to Haleakala National Park.
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Paia
From Central Kahului head east towards the quaint town of Paia. There are great North Shore beaches along the way to check out. Find a place to park once you arrive and choose from the many great restaurants for your next meal. Check out the fantastic health food store- Mana Foods, as well as the Maui Dharma Center's Paia Peace Stupa. From Paia check out the famous Ho'okipa Beach Park.
Head up country from Paia to Makawao, Kula and eventually to Haleakala National Park.
It's the journey, not the destination that applies so well when traveling to the northeast coastline of Maui. Unless you spend a night in Hana town or the area, it is impossible to stop at every attraction in one day. Its also not for everyone. The road is super curvy and attention must be paid very carefully to driving or accidents can easily happen.
There are many guidebooks and online articles dedication to the Road to Hana. We recommend checking into that to plan your unique experience. Hwy 360 is the road that you take into Hana and the same way you go out. The van is unable to travel 31 as there are many dangerous turns and cliffs. There is a private campground in Hana, walking distance to Hamoa Beach. It can be reserved in advance over the phone. Details will be provided upon booking.
42 personas de la zona recomiendan
Hana Highway
Hana HighwayIt's the journey, not the destination that applies so well when traveling to the northeast coastline of Maui. Unless you spend a night in Hana town or the area, it is impossible to stop at every attraction in one day. Its also not for everyone. The road is super curvy and attention must be paid very carefully to driving or accidents can easily happen.
There are many guidebooks and online articles dedication to the Road to Hana. We recommend checking into that to plan your unique experience. Hwy 360 is the road that you take into Hana and the same way you go out. The van is unable to travel 31 as there are many dangerous turns and cliffs. There is a private campground in Hana, walking distance to Hamoa Beach. It can be reserved in advance over the phone. Details will be provided upon booking.
Check out Snorkel Molokini dot com to check into the many snorkeling and dive tours to the Molokini Crater. Plan early, tours do book up, and they are weather permitting. The snorkeling is epic and worth the tour price.
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Isla Molokini
Check out Snorkel Molokini dot com to check into the many snorkeling and dive tours to the Molokini Crater. Plan early, tours do book up, and they are weather permitting. The snorkeling is epic and worth the tour price.
A stop at Iao Valley is a must visit on Maui. The historic State Park is an excellent and easy way to experience Hawaii's mountains and natural river's and streams. While you are there you will learn about the historic battles that were fought in Iao Valley and how native Hawaiians lived and farmed the fertile grounds. Excellent hiking, and wear a swimsuit under clothes to jump into one of the streams.
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ʻĪao Valley State Park
54 S High StA stop at Iao Valley is a must visit on Maui. The historic State Park is an excellent and easy way to experience Hawaii's mountains and natural river's and streams. While you are there you will learn about the historic battles that were fought in Iao Valley and how native Hawaiians lived and farmed the fertile grounds. Excellent hiking, and wear a swimsuit under clothes to jump into one of the streams.
The crown jewel of southern Maui is the amazing Makena Beach, known as Big Beach. There are three separate entrances into the beach, we like thirds, but each one works. The snorkeling, swimming and views are iconic. Please enter the water with caution if the surf is up and if there is a strong onshore water break. Big Beach is beautiful, but can be dangerous if your are not an experienced swimmer.
Pack a lunch or dinner and stay awhile if you can.
158 personas de la zona recomiendan
Makena Big Beach
The crown jewel of southern Maui is the amazing Makena Beach, known as Big Beach. There are three separate entrances into the beach, we like thirds, but each one works. The snorkeling, swimming and views are iconic. Please enter the water with caution if the surf is up and if there is a strong onshore water break. Big Beach is beautiful, but can be dangerous if your are not an experienced swimmer.
Pack a lunch or dinner and stay awhile if you can.
Highlighted in red is where the Campervan and majority of rental vehicles cannot travel. The roads in these areas are very narrow, cliff side, or unpaved and dangerous. For the Road to Hana, the road you enter is the same road you take back.
Maui
Highlighted in red is where the Campervan and majority of rental vehicles cannot travel. The roads in these areas are very narrow, cliff side, or unpaved and dangerous. For the Road to Hana, the road you enter is the same road you take back.
Honolua Bay is a great place to snorkel and spend time at. Parking is along the upper road. Please be careful when pulling the large van over on the side of the road for parking. Look for a spot with enough space. People tend to come and go throughout the day and parking does open up.
You will hike a short distance down to the water. The shore is a rocky entrance. Once you get in the water it is a great spot to see turtles, and many varieties of coral fish.
There are also boat tours that come to the Bay, booking one of those is a great option as well.
99 personas de la zona recomiendan
Honolua Bay
Honolua Bay is a great place to snorkel and spend time at. Parking is along the upper road. Please be careful when pulling the large van over on the side of the road for parking. Look for a spot with enough space. People tend to come and go throughout the day and parking does open up.
You will hike a short distance down to the water. The shore is a rocky entrance. Once you get in the water it is a great spot to see turtles, and many varieties of coral fish.
There are also boat tours that come to the Bay, booking one of those is a great option as well.
Places to Camp
The following are options for campervan camping. Some are permitted/ reservable and others are not. Please also check out the website- hipcamp.com for reservable private camping spots.
Good place to camp. The private camp grounds offers a night van parking pass that can be booked through their website, www.campolowalu.com, that includes the use of their showers and restroom facilities. Location is central to surf spots to the south, and Lahaina town to the north. Camp Olowalu is an awesome spot!
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Olowalu Beach
Good place to camp. The private camp grounds offers a night van parking pass that can be booked through their website, www.campolowalu.com, that includes the use of their showers and restroom facilities. Location is central to surf spots to the south, and Lahaina town to the north. Camp Olowalu is an awesome spot!
Wake up to waves crashing and sipping tea right on a sandy beach on the west side of the Island at Papalaua Wayside Beach camping. This long stretch of beach offers a great place to pull off of the road and van camp. It is maintained by Maui County. As of June 20th, the county office to issue permits was still closed, so it remains open camping. Parking is available directly off of Road 30 . No showers, portable toilets available. Some house less people camp there, but it is still a safe and fun place to camp. Many locals frequent this area on the weekends.
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Pāpalaua State Wayside Park
22 Honoapiilani HwyWake up to waves crashing and sipping tea right on a sandy beach on the west side of the Island at Papalaua Wayside Beach camping. This long stretch of beach offers a great place to pull off of the road and van camp. It is maintained by Maui County. As of June 20th, the county office to issue permits was still closed, so it remains open camping. Parking is available directly off of Road 30 . No showers, portable toilets available. Some house less people camp there, but it is still a safe and fun place to camp. Many locals frequent this area on the weekends.
Hosmer Grove is at 7,000 ft in elevation and located within the Haleakala National Park. It offers picnic tables, BBQ grills and pit toilets. Park fees for a 3 day pass are required for every vehicle entering the national park. Camping is free and is first come first serve. Check for any COVID closures first. There is no food or gas within the park so prepare properly.
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Hosmer Grove Campground
Hosmer Grove is at 7,000 ft in elevation and located within the Haleakala National Park. It offers picnic tables, BBQ grills and pit toilets. Park fees for a 3 day pass are required for every vehicle entering the national park. Camping is free and is first come first serve. Check for any COVID closures first. There is no food or gas within the park so prepare properly.
This park sits on 122 tropical acres just outside of Hana with a black sand beach, fresh water caves and lava arch. Its considered an essential stop on the Road to Hana, just 10 miles from town. There is beach access, showers and restrooms available. There are new restrictions beginning March 1, 2021. You must go to www.gowaianapanapa.com to reserve your Park Access Permit and Camper Van Camping Permit.
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Parque Estatal Wai'anapanapa
Waianapanapa RoadThis park sits on 122 tropical acres just outside of Hana with a black sand beach, fresh water caves and lava arch. Its considered an essential stop on the Road to Hana, just 10 miles from town. There is beach access, showers and restrooms available. There are new restrictions beginning March 1, 2021. You must go to www.gowaianapanapa.com to reserve your Park Access Permit and Camper Van Camping Permit.
Great remote South Side spot. Leaving Kihei, keep driving South on 31 into Wailea- Makena. The road will continue to get smaller and smaller, past lava fields and then ends at La Perouse Bay. Drive takes almost 30 minutes from Kihei and not recommended to make in the dark. Be prepared with all of your essentials before traveling down of staying overnight.
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Bahía de La Perouse
Great remote South Side spot. Leaving Kihei, keep driving South on 31 into Wailea- Makena. The road will continue to get smaller and smaller, past lava fields and then ends at La Perouse Bay. Drive takes almost 30 minutes from Kihei and not recommended to make in the dark. Be prepared with all of your essentials before traveling down of staying overnight.
Upon booking with us we will send you the contact information for a private camp ground located just past Hana town. It features 18 spots with bathroom and shower access.
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Hana
Upon booking with us we will send you the contact information for a private camp ground located just past Hana town. It features 18 spots with bathroom and shower access.
This is an off-grid private campground that offers spots for Campervans at $40 nightly. The rustic spot offers water, limited solar power, limited wifi, and composting toilet. Reservations to be made in advanced with Bill by calling 747-248-2151. Please let him know you found his location through Craigslist and not our Guidebook. Thanks!
Haiku
This is an off-grid private campground that offers spots for Campervans at $40 nightly. The rustic spot offers water, limited solar power, limited wifi, and composting toilet. Reservations to be made in advanced with Bill by calling 747-248-2151. Please let him know you found his location through Craigslist and not our Guidebook. Thanks!
Consejos para los viajeros
Costumbres y cultura
The Pono Pledge
The Pono Pledge (www.ponopledge.com), a creative new initiative by the Island of Hawaii Visitors Bureau (IHVB) and Hawaii County, encourages safe, responsible and respectful tourism.
Please go to ponopledge.com to learn more.