Part 7: Road to Hana Maui with a baby🌴
Ko’olau Forest Reserve
Tip: put Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside into your GPS. That is the name of the park where there are bathrooms, which you can park in front of.
Parking: there is a park with bathrooms and you park in front of the bathrooms. You don’t actually go up into the park, but you just walk along the road and you’ll see a little hidden waterfall right off of the road. There’s no trail. You can literally see it from the road as you drive-by.
I saved the best stop for last which is a gorgeous black sand beach that literally makes you feel like you’re stepping into a portal once you put your toes in the sand… all the details will be in part eight.
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Traveling the Road to Hana with a baby can be an unforgettable adventure, but it also requires careful planning to ensure comfort and safety for your little one. Based on my recent trip, I found that preparing for frequent stops and having clear information on amenities like bathrooms and parking spots makes the journey much easier. One valuable tip is to input "Pua’a Ka’a State Wayside" into your GPS. This spot not only offers convenient bathroom facilities but also a safe place to park right in front of them, which is a blessing when traveling with a baby. I appreciated how accessible this rest stop was, allowing us to take breaks without detours. While we didn't venture deep into Ko’olau Forest Reserve, we enjoyed the surprising natural beauty visible right from the roadside. A hidden waterfall can be spotted without hiking, providing a quick and effortless nature experience that suits families with little ones. The lack of a formal trail means you can easily admire the sight during a short walk. Additionally, a word of caution for drivers: watch for "ONE LANE BRIDGE AHEAD" signs along the route. Such narrow passages require attentiveness and patience but add to the charm and uniqueness of the Road to Hana drive. Finally, the anticipation of reaching the stunning black sand beach, described as a portal-like experience upon touching the sand, made the trip even more exciting for our family. While the full details of this beach are saved for the next part of the series, it motivated us to keep exploring and discovering hidden gems on Maui. Overall, combining practical stops with scenic views accessible from the road created a balanced, enjoyable trip with a baby. I recommend fellow parents plan similarly to make the most of their Road to Hana adventure while keeping their children comfortable and safe.