Hidden Gems on Maui: How To Get off the Beaten Path

If you’ve already taken a Road to Hana adventure tour from the north, consider visiting Hana from the south via the Piilani Highway. Much of the road to get there is unpaved, making for quite a bumpy ride. But if you're willing to brave the terrain, the Piilani Highway offers just as many scenic views (and fewer crowds) than its better-known counterpart. With its countless beaches, farms, and lookouts along the way, it’s safe to say that the back road to Hana is one of Maui’s most scenic hidden drives.

Insider tip: Rental car companies don’t typically allow vehicles on this road, so it’s best to find alternative transport to avoid any complications.

You can venture to nearly every corner of Maui, whether you're sailing off Ka’anapali Beach or snorkeling off the coast of Wailea. But one part of the island that remains relatively untouched—even by locals—is the Kanaio Coast. Located on the southernmost tip of Maui, this coastline is filled with rock formations, sea caves, and secret Maui beaches that are best explored by boat. Admire the views from your vessel on the water or strap on some snorkel gear and explore below the surface where tropical fish, coral, and sea turtles thrive.

Eat your way through all sorts of tropical fruits at the Maui Dragon Fruit Farm near Lahaina. This eco-friendly farm offers a whole host of activities, such as ziplining and aquaballing, but the highlight is definitely its walking tour and tropical-fruit tasting. Stroll all around the property, taking in the fruit-producing trees and ocean views along the way. Then, enjoy a spread of whatever produce is in season, which may include starfruit, soursop, mangoes, and—of course—dragon fruit. Alternatively, head inland for a tour and tasting at La Kahea Community Farm to learn about sustainable agricultural practices on the island.

Just like many other civilizations, the ancient Hawaiian people had their own pictorial language known as petroglyphs. There aren’t many places to spot petroglyphs on the Valley Isle, making the site of the Olowalu Petroglyphs, located in West Maui, an extra special unsung spot. If you're planning to visit, though, keep in mind that this is one of the more off-the-beaten-path attractions on the island. You’ll need to hike about 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) round-trip, but it’s more than worth the effort to see the 70 or so petroglyphs—thought to be 200–300 years old—carved into the cliff face.

Obachan’s is where many locals get their most beloved Hawaii snacks. Rather than Maui-style potato chips, you’ll find true local bites—specifically those with sour, sweet, and salty elements known as “crack seed,” named for a traditional Chinese method of preservation wherein the seed of a fruit is cracked for flavor purposes. At Obachan’s, located in Wailuku, you can have a true local Maui experience, stocking up on everything from li hing mui (a sour, sweet powder made from pickled plums) to old-school dried lemon peel.

Embrace Maui’s artsy side with a visit to Moana Glass by Ryan Staub. First, pop into Ryan Staub Gallery of Glass to peruse the local artist’s island-inspired glass creations, such as squid, jellyfish, and whale tales, just to name a few.

If you'd prefer a more hands-on experience with Maui's arts scene, you can take your visit to the next level with a glassblowing class next door at Moana Glass. Here, you can learn to make an island-inspired glass creation of your own for a unique souvenir to bring home.

Looking for non-touristy Maui activities? Start with the East Maui Taro Festival. The entire April event is centered around taro, an ancient Hawaiian food staple. The edible root was used to make poi (a sticky purple paste) and kulolo (a taro-coconut pudding), while the leaves were used to make luau (a stew of sorts made of taro leaves with seafood or pork). At this Maui cultural experience and festival, you can learn about these traditional preparations, as well as how the staple plant is used in more innovative ways today.

If you're looking for a dose of forest-bathing on the Valley Isle, you're in luck. There are only a few Maui hikes that tend to make it onto visitors’ radars, such as the Waihee Ridge Trail and the Pipiwai Trail. The Waihou Spring Trail is one of Maui’s more hidden hikes, and it offers something different from the popular paths. While most other Maui trails are filled with rainforest-esque flora, the 1.8-mile (2.9-kilometer) round-trip Waihou Spring Trail is home to a thriving pine forest that feels like a shock—in the best way—for such a tropical island.

The majority of Maui’s waterfalls are on the east side of the island along the Road to Hana. The lesser-known Honokohau Falls is an exception to this rule, sitting pretty in the West Maui Mountains. That said, Honokohau Falls is still quite difficult to get to. Though most Maui cascades are accessible by foot or car (or on horseback), that’s not the case for Honokohau Falls. To get a glimpse of this 1,100-foot (335-meter) hidden Maui waterfall, you only have one option: by air, specifically on a West Maui helicopter tour.