Hiking the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Trail in Hāna on Maui, Hawaiʻi
Distance (Roundtrip): 0.5 miles / 0.8 km
In my opinion, visiting the Red Sand Beach in Hāna is not only one of the best things to do on Maui but in all of Hawaiʻi!
That being said, the Red Sand Beach Trail is a bit more dangerous of a hike than you might think, regardless that it’s such a short trail to get there.
By this, I mean that the trail is composed of a lot of loose dirt/ rocks, and a fall off of the trail could easily be life-threatening, as it has happened here before.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Parking
Parking for the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Trail is located on Uakea Road, between the Hāna Ballpark and the Community Center.
Spots are very limited along this stretch, but in any case, don’t park illegally. Hāna has a small police station, and you may be cited for not following the no parking signs.
Google Maps Directions: Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Trailhead
My Hawaiʻi Hiking Checklist
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Hāna Red Sand Beach Trail
The trailhead to get to the Red Sand Beach begins at the end of Uakea Road near the Community Center.
For the most part, the Red Sand Beach Trail should be fairly self-explanatory, but I wanted to show the photos here, so that you are aware of the dangerous drops along the trail.
This is where the dangerous drops begin, and they only get worse as you get closer to Kaihalulu Beach.
This final, highly-exposed descent is generally the most dangerous part of the trail, as the drops are unforgiving, and the trail, particularly the Ironwood seeds, can easily cause you to lose your footing.
Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach
At the end of the short 0.25-mile (0.4 km) trail, you are greeted with one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Hawaiʻi, and on top of this, the open-ocean swell is highly mitigated because of the rocks that you can see just offshore.
That being said, there are no lifeguards at Red Sand Beach, meaning you should always think twice, as help is not as readily available as other beaches across the island.
The sand is a little bit coarser than other beaches.
Native Plants on the Red Sand Beach Trail
While short, the Kaihalulu Red Sand Beach Trail still has a number of native plants along the hike, including Naupaka, Alena, and Niu.
If you would like to learn more about these and other native Hawaiian plants from across the islands, I encourage you to read through my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Native Hawaiian Plant Guide
More Maui Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing Maui adventures, check out my separate posts below!
Best Hotels & Vacation Rentals on Maui
Since Maui is such a big island and driving from place to place can take a long time, many of the best places to stay are located on all different sides of the island.
I recommend starting your search on VRBO to compare places from Kīhei, Kahului, Lāhainā, Kāʻanapali, and Hāna.
Maui
Maui Airport-Hotel Shuttle
Prices on ride-share apps like Uber/ Lyft cannot beat the price of booking your hotel or vacation rental shuttle prior to arrival.
That being said, the shuttle options below are incredibly cheap, and they are a great option to get across North, South, West, and Upcountry Maui!
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
One of my favorites!
Visiting Other Islands
If you are visiting Maui or heading to another island, check out some of my personal recommendations for Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Molokai, Lānaʻi, and Hawaiʻi Island (Big Island) in these separate posts.
If you’re trying to decide which island is right for your visit, check out my overview about each island in the post below.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Hawaiian Island to Visit?
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
The weather in Hawaiʻi can often appear to be warm and beautiful throughout the year, but in my experience, there is a lot more to consider when planning what time of year to visit the islands, such as what island you are considering, what sides of each island do you plan to stay, what activities are you most interested in, the wildlife, and countless other nuanced variables that can all impact the type of trip you can expect to have.
For these reasons, I highly recommend reading through my separate article to not only understand my thoughts regarding the best time of year to come to Hawaiʻi but also what you need to consider based on the time of year that you plan to visit.
Read My Separate Post: What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Hawaiʻi?
Safety
All hikes in Hawaiʻi should not be compared to trails outside of the islands, and hikers should exercise due caution on every adventure, given that many are extremely dangerous.
By this, I mean that Hawaiʻi is known for hot, humid weather, steep, dramatic, and unstable cliffs, and flash floods, which can occur without warning. Therefore, it is important that you check the local forecast, understand the physical condition of your entire group, and pack sufficient food and water before attempting any adventure.
Disclaimer
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Furthermore, Noah Lang Photography LLC shall not be held responsible for any injuries, lost individuals, or legal issues arising from the use of information provided on this website, and if applicable, the above safety disclaimer should be referenced to provide a generic overview of the risks involved.
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