Food in Hāna for Kīpahulu & Pipiwai TrailBring lunch. We are on the way.
The Park Service says bring food to Kīpahulu, because none is available in the park. The red truck in Hāna town is the stop on the way out or back.
Photo: Pipiwai bamboo forest: dronepicr, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
From Kīpahulu & Pipiwai to the truck
Kīpahulu & Pipiwai Trail to lunch.
Kīpahulu is the district of Haleakalā National Park past Hāna, with the ʻOheʻo pools and the Pipiwai Trail.
The National Park Service tells visitors to fill the gas tank and bring food, because neither is available in the park.
That makes the red truck near the Hana Ranch Store, at 5124 Hana Hwy, the food stop before the drive out or on the way back.
Order at the window and eat at the picnic tables under the shade trees.
Drive to the truck
35–45 minabout 10 mi
Route
Hāna Highway
The trucks
5124 Hana HwyNear the Hana Ranch Store
Loaded nachos with sour creamAbout Kīpahulu & Pipiwai
Know the place before you go.
The Pipiwai Trail reaches the bamboo forest after about one mile, roughly 30 minutes each way.
Waimoku Falls, 400 feet tall, is at two miles, and the full out-and-back is about 4 miles.
Makahiku Falls is seen from an overlook about half a mile up.
Swimming is not allowed in the ʻOheʻo pools, which can be viewed safely from the Kūloa Point Trail.
The “Seven Sacred Pools” name came from a 1940s hotel owner’s advertising, and there are more than seven pools.
ʻOheʻo means “something special”.
Waimoku Falls: Christoph Strässler, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Eat before the long drive
The drive out is about 35 to 45 minutes, and the trail adds about 4 miles of walking.
Start with a real meal: a taco plate, a burrito, or a Thai plate with rice, such as crispy pork belly basil stir-fry or chicken cashew stir-fry.
Since food is not available in the park, order at the window before you go.
The vegan side has veggie curry, veggie egg rolls and tofu veggie stir-fry.
After the bamboo forest
One Google reviewer, Juanjo Tíscar Moya, wrote: “Nachos are absurd. So GOOD.
Thankfully we stopped by when coming back from Pipiwai Trail. Must try!!”
Nachos come with corn chips, nacho cheese, shredded cheese, your protein, salsa, pico, sour cream, queso fresco, cilantro and guac.
Lemonade or Thai iced tea goes with them.
Stops on the road to Kīpahulu
Wailua Falls is a roadside stop on the Hāna Highway, 7 miles and about 22 minutes from the truck.
It is on the same road you take to Kīpahulu.
Charles Lindbergh is buried at Palapala Hoʻomau Church in Kīpahulu, for anyone who wants one more stop after the hike.
Nachos are absurd. So GOOD. Thankfully we stopped by when coming back from Pipiwai Trail. Must try!!
The menus
What’s on the boards.
Five menus from three family trucks in one Hāna lot.
Fish Tacos & Mexican FoodMahi-mahi and shrimp tacos, nachos, burritos and taco salad bowls.- Thai FoodPad thai, curries, tom yum, stir-fries with rice and coconut plates.
Mahi-Mahi & Fresh FishMahi-mahi tacos and plates, plus grilled, garlic and coconut shrimp.
Burgers & Hot DogsHand-pressed burgers, the Hanadog, chicken sandwiches, fries and shakes.- Vegan & Veggie PlatesVeggie curry, veggie egg rolls, tofu veggie stir-fry and veggie drunken noodles.
Other stops near Hāna
Coming from somewhere else?
Hāna town2 min from the truck · Two minutes from Hāna Bay, near the Hana Ranch Store.
Hāmoa & Kōkī Beach6–9 min from the truck · Six minutes to Kōkī, nine to Hāmoa, by Haneoo Road.
Waiʻānapanapa State Park11 min from the truck · 11 minutes from the black sand, near the Hana Ranch Store.
Kahanu Garden & Hāna Airport12–19 min from the truck · 19 minutes to Kahanu Garden, 12 to Hāna Airport.
Good to know
Kīpahulu & Pipiwai questions.
How far is Kīpahulu from the truck?
About 35 to 45 minutes.
The map shows 9.6 miles to ʻOheʻo, all on Hāna Highway, and the National Park Service says the district is 12 miles past Hāna.
Allow the longer time if you can.
Can I buy food inside Kīpahulu?
The National Park Service says food is not available in the park, and neither is gas. Fill up and bring food.
The truck is at 5124 Hana Hwy, near the Hana Ranch Store.
What should I order for the Pipiwai Trail?
A burrito or taco plate before, nachos or pad thai after. The chalkboards change, so call (808) 446-1502 to ask what is on.
Groups, pans & questions
Feeding a whole crew?
Beef broccoli stir-fry comes by the full pan or the half pan. Send a note or call, and the family will sort out the details with you.
- Party pans and group orders: ask what fits your crowd
- Questions about the menus, the vegan board or what is on today
- Fastest answer: call or text (808) 446-1502