Road to Hana Coast

The steep mountains dropping directly to the ocean, tropical vegetation, waterfalls, and rugged beaches were created by an unusual combination of forces in nature.

The combination of moist trade winds and steep incline from the ocean caused by lava flows created this unique coastline.

And that is why much of the Hana coast was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.

Hana Coast Waterfalls

When the moist ocean trade winds move up this steep incline, they cool and drop rain on the mountainside, which causes the high waterfalls.

The waterfalls can go from overflowing to a trickle in a matter of hours because the rainwater runs so quickly down the steep slopes.

My video at the bottom of this page shows several Hana coast waterfalls.

Hana Coast Ocean Views

So you can see stunning views such as the picture of us standing close to the cliff edge at Honomanu Bay.

Hana Coast Beaches

Where the lava flows are older in historical time, the lava rock can be worn down by erosion to dark sand.

Where the lava flows are more recent, the terrain and beaches are rugged and rocky with lava at locations such as Keanae Kark beach.

The black sand beach at Wainapanapa State Park was formed by a lava flow that went directly into the ocean while hot, which caused the molten lava to quickly solidify, then shatter into small pieces.

This resulted in the unusual black pebbles, rather than the brown or white sand that results from the breakdown of coral and sea shells.

Hana Coast Waterfalls Video

Click on the PLAY button in the image below to view the video.

Road to Hana Pages