For the snack-inclined traveler, the Road to Hana can be a rude awakening if not prepared. With very few places to stop and eat a full meal along the journey, Nahiku Marketplace comes as a welcome surprise for weary travelers.
Located at Mile Marker 29, approximately 6 miles before Hana Town, Nahiku Marketplace is a great place to stop, stretch your legs, shop, eat, relax, and re-energize for the rest of your journey.
Home to several excellent, low-key outdoor dining options, including Nahiku Cafe, Island Chef, Island Style Tacos, Hana Highway Sorbet, and My Thai, among others that rotate in and out of the area, Nahiku Marketplace also offers excellent shopping from several local vendors.
Try a cup of Maui coffee from the adorable Nahiku Cafe, grab a seat at one of the covered picnic tables, and order up a fresh, local meal from one of the many food vendors. While hours for the businesses vary (the term 'Maui time' exists for a reason), it's safe to assume that by the time you reach this spot, most will be open.
If you're in search of some unique Maui memorabilia, this is a great place to browse local art and stock up on souvenirs.
Restrooms (of the porta-potty variety) are located around the corner of the right end of the Marketplace, and recycling receptacles are available for any items you may have consumed on your trip thus far.
Some guidebooks suggest cruising down Nahiku Road. We highly discourage this! Nahiku Road is no more beautiful than the Hana Highway, and the people that live there are very unhappy about the traffic down this narrow road.
The first time we drove down Nahiku Road, we couldn't understand why we'd been led to believe it was a necessary part of the Road to Hana experience. It isn't. It's a detour that you'll ask yourself, "why did we drive down here?" Especially if you encounter unhappy locals.
Enjoy this trip with ALOHA and grab some ONO GRINDS at Nahiku Marketplace.
Parking can be limited during busy midday hours, but if you plan on driving the same way back later in the day, you can always try again!
Photos provided by Peter Rimkus.
We recognize the use of diacritical markings of the (modern) Hawaiian language including the ʻokina [ʻ] or glottal stop and the kahakō [ō] or macron (e.g., in place names of Hawaiʻi such as Lānaʻi). However, you may notice these diacritical markings have been omitted on some parts of this website to ensure the best online experience for our visitors. We recognizes the importance of using these markings to preserve the language and culture of Hawaii and respectfully uses them in all communications beyond the online platform.
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