Reached via a short 4WD trail that's also walkable, this gorgeous empty bay is punctuated by a black-sand beach, archaeological sites and a protected wetlands refuge (www.hilt.org). You might see endangered seabirds such as the aeʻo (Hawaiian black-necked stilt) and the ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot). Fishers have frequented these shores for centuries.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Huakini Bay

0.5 MILES

Huakini hosts a deserted, rough and rocky beach (you might see a few fishers). From the two gateposts just east of the 30-mile marker, walk down the dirt…

2. Sea Arch View

2.11 MILES

Just west of mile marker 29, an impressive coastal sea arch is visible from the Piʻilani Hwy.

3. St Joseph Church

2.76 MILES

Established by Catholic missionaries in the 19th century, St Joseph Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012. The church offers a noon Mass on the…

4. Haleakalā National Park

5.62 MILES

No trip to Maui is complete without visiting this national park containing the mighty volcano that gave rise to East Maui. The volcano's floor measures a…

5. Pele’s Paint Pot Lookout

6.27 MILES

Along the loop trail south of Kawilinau, and accessible via Halemauʻu Trail and Keoneheʻeheʻe (Sliding Sands) Trail, this is the crater’s most brilliant…

6. Kaupo Gap

6.48 MILES

Pull over to gaze at this dramatic volcanic rift that drops down the southern flank of Haleakalā. The Kaupo Trail descends through here from the crater of…

7. Kawilinau

6.48 MILES

Legend says that the pit leads down to the sea, though the National Park Service says it’s just 65ft deep.

8. Magnetic Peak

7.13 MILES

The iron-rich cinders in this flat-top hill, which lies immediately southeast of the summit building (in the direction of Hawaiʻi, the Big Island), pack…