Weather: The reason the Road to Hana is so lush is because of all the RAIN. It rains almost every day on Hana but it never lasts long and it's usually a light/warm rain. Bring a towel or two, a light rain jacket/travel umbrella.
Yes, you can certainly drive the Road to Hana on your own. However, if you'd like some extra guidance on your trip, a driving guide from Action Tour Guide will make for the perfect travel buddy. Driving the Road to Hana is a thrilling and breathtaking experience.
The views and black sand beach were worth it along the way. I probably wouldn't do it again, though. It was a one-and-done thing. All in all, the trip took us about 3hrs there and half the time on the way back with no stops (and driving probably a bit too fast).
Tip 2: Take nausea medicine.I have a friend who took medicine before going on the Road to Hana and her group still had to turn back because she got so sick. Getting motion sickness is pretty common along this fairly wind-y road so if you can prepare in advance, that will help immensely.
Sundays and Thursdays are heavy travel days (arriving and leaving the island) so the road to Hana may be less crowded. Start early to get the most out of your day. This is one of the best things to do in Maui on a budget.
Located near mile marker 12 on the Road to Hana, Upper Puohokamoa Falls is a real gem worth a stop. The falls are just two minutes from the road, so you can take a break from your road trip and go for a nice swim.
One of the main dangers on the Road to Hana is the narrow and winding nature of the road itself. The road is only two lanes wide, and it winds through the rainforest, with sharp turns and steep drop-offs. There are also many one-lane bridges along the route, which can be difficult to navigate.
After the Keanea arboretum, you can take a left and drive down into Wailua. There is a public park there with restrooms. There are restrooms at Pua`a Ka`a Wayside Park, parking on the left. The Halfway to Hana store has port-a-potties.