Experience the Magic of Maui with Cultural Tours

Travel through Maui’s magical east side on The Road to Hana and visit the sacred Heiau named “Pi’ilanihale,” with Maui Paradise Tours’ Sacred & Cultural Site Tour.

When you book a private guided tour, you will be paired up with a friendly, knowledgeable tour guide who can educate you and up to six of your companions on the history of Maui culture. This tour stands out from other Maui tours to Hana, as it not only includes all the stops from the Best of the Hana Road tour, but also features the bonus of a guided exploration of Heiau, the largest Polynesian temple in the world, for a truly authentic Hawaiian experience. Located four miles north of Hana in East Maui, the Heiau measures 341 feet (104 m) by 415 feet (126 m), with a high front wall rising 50 feet (15 m).

A few things to know about our Maui cultural tours

Maui Paradise Tours offers pickups from the Kahului Park & Ride and other various locations on the island for groups of one to four and five to seven people. Whether you’re staying on the west side of the island near Lahaina, on the south shore in Kihei or Wailea-Makena, or closer to Haleakala in Upcountry Maui, access to the best of Maui culture is easy. Our private tour guides will meet you at the designated pickup point and transport you and your guests safely and comfortably on your adventure.

To make your trip as safe and comfortable as possible, we also provide car seats, portable chairs, umbrellas, and insect repellant as part of our service. Please remember to bring your own bathing gear, sunblock, towels, umbrellas, and comfortable walking shoes on Maui tours to Hana. If you have any special requests, do not hesitate to let us know. As always, please be advised that access to Heiau and other sites on the tour is weather permitting.

A bit about Maui Culture: The History of Heiau

A magical destination representative of old Hawaii, the history of the heiau is nebulous. Some say it was constructed by the chief of Hana many moons ago, when the island was divided into two sides and ruled by two chiefs. Today, it is located in Kahanu Garden, a botanical garden home to an abundance of native and Polynesian plants.

Not many Maui cultural tours include a visit to this sacred Hawaiian Heiau. In fact, the Heiau you will visit has a unique relationship to Maui Paradise Tours - be sure to ask your tour guide about it for an interesting story!

Learn about Hawaiian culture and history, experience the mana (spirit, power) of the chiefs of old, and savor the serenity of this secluded sacred space on one of the island’s best Maui tours to Hana. While the fully guided tour of the ancient Polynesian Heiau temple is an unforgettable experience on its own, with our Sacred & Cultural Site Tour, you’ll also get access to all of the favorite road to Hana sites, including:

• Polynesian botanical gardens Impeccably kept gardens featuring the world’s largest collection of breadfruit, a traditional food crop which is used today to help address global hunger, and exotic plants brought to Hawaii ages ago in canoes from across the Pacific
• Stunning waterfalls and freshwater pools and caves Several are steeped in history, all of them are beautiful, and many are perfect for swimming or taking a quick refreshing dip to cool off
• Dramatic sea cliff views Perfect for taking in the majestic beauty of the island, or snapping a memorable panoramic shot
• Giant 300 lb green sea turtles Hang out with the “honu,” the Hawaiian name for the huge sea turtles which love to relax on Maui’s north shore beaches
• Breathtaking black sand beaches A famous spot on the road to Hana, and another great spot for taking unbelievable photos
• Lava rock tide-pools Explore mysterious lava rock formations that are 1000’s of years old
• Giant surf and expert surfers Catch the surfers as they catch a wave on Maui’s North Shore at Ho’okipa Lookout
• Bamboo forests Get a view of the magical Bamboo forest which offers hiking, pools, and a taste of old Hawaii
• Naturally "painted" Rainbow Eucalyptus trees Rainbow eucalyptus trees are one of the many sights you’ll see along the Pi’ina’au stream, one of the favorite spots on any road to Hana adventure
• Historic plantation town Get a taste of the island and explore locally owned shops, galleries, restaurants, and grocery
• Ancient farming/fishing village Explore another historic site and catch a glimpse of the Coral Stone church that survived a 33 ft high Tsunami wave
• Road-side stands From local fruit and cane-juice smoothies to coffee and the island’s famous banana bread, you’re sure to find a tasty snack at one of the many road-side stands