The Kahanu Garden is located on 'Ula'ino Road, are about a half-mile beyond mile marker 31 makai on the Hana Highway. Just after a mile, the road gives way to broken pavement and the first stream ford. Beyond the ford, to the right, you'll find the entrance to Kahanu Garden, an extension of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.
If the ford has water flowing through it above the poll-markers, turn around and do not try and cross the stream. The 122-acre garden is comprised of a variety of rare native Hawaiian plants and several trees introduced by the Polynesians.
The garden also has one of the largest known collections of breadfruit trees. A mile long trail meanders through the garden allowing visitors to be their own tour guide. Beyond the forest edge you'll find the impressive and colossal Pi'ilanihale Heiau.
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The heiau was constructed completely out of lava rock in the 14th century during the reign of the Pi'ilani Dynasty. The stone platform is the size of two football fields. Visitors are not allowed on the heiau, so you'll have to view it from afar. The coastal views here are beautiful. The garden is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (last entry at 2 p.m.), and closed Saturday and Sunday. Guided tours are offered Fridays at 9:30 a.m. for $30 per adult (children 12 and under free); reservations are required. Online reservations are encouraged for self-guided visits as well. The garden closes without notice on occasion, so don't be surprised if you find Closed signs.
For more East Maui culture, the small Hana Cultural Center on Uakea Road in nearby Hana Town is a natural pairing — replica traditional hale, the restored 1871 Hana Courthouse, and Hawaiian artifacts curated by the Hana community.
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Trades are breezy right now with scattered showers on the windward side and mountains; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Tomorrow stays breezy with the same pattern.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is still uncertain. If it comes closer, expect heavier rain over a longer stretch; if it stays farther out, impacts will be shorter and lighter. Winds will increase late this week, with potential gusts over 70 miles per hour on the highest summits.
Plan your leeward beach time and snorkeling for today through Tuesday. Save summit drives and offshore water sports for after Saturday, and check updates daily as this develops.
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Trade winds are pushing across Maui right now and staying breezy through tomorrow. Windward slopes and peaks will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. Rough seas mean a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain. Late this week, winds will increase across Maui, with summit gusts potentially exceeding 70 mph on Haleakala. The Big Island—especially Hilo and Puna—faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding if the storm tracks close.
Leeward beaches and snorkeling work best today through Tuesday. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday.
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Trades are kicking today with moderate wind and rough seas. Windward slopes will see scattered showers; the leeward side stays mostly dry. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The track remains uncertain, but the Big Island faces the highest risk of heavy rain and flooding, especially in the Hilo and Puna areas. Summit winds could exceed 70 mph late in the week. Check forecasts daily as the situation develops.
Leeward snorkeling and beach time work well through Tuesday. Save summit drives and windward hikes for today or tomorrow, and avoid offshore water sports and high elevations Thursday through Saturday.
0:000:58
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Trades are steady now with scattered showers on the windward side and ridges; the leeward coast stays mostly dry. Through Tuesday it stays breezy with rough seas around Maui and the Big Island, where a Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Tuesday evening.
A tropical disturbance southeast of the islands is likely to become a tropical storm by mid-week and approach the state Thursday through Saturday. The exact track is uncertain. Winds will increase across the eastern islands late this week, with potential for summit gusts over 70 mph on Maui and the Big Island if the storm intensifies.
Get your beach and snorkel time in today and tomorrow on the leeward coast. Avoid summit hikes and offshore water sports Thursday through Saturday as conditions deteriorate. The track could shift significantly—check updates daily.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out