Hana Lava Tube (Ka'eleku Caverns)

The basics

A roughly 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) portion of the much longer cave system is accessible to the public via self-guided tours. Travelers can purchase tickets from the visitor center near Hana, and explore the underground pathways with handrails and educational signage in less than 1 hour. The caverns are also visited on guided day trips and tours of the Hana Highway (Highway 360).

Things to know before you go

• Though the underground path is lit, visitors are provided with flashlights.

• The visitor center has picnic tables outside, along with a botanical garden and hedge maze.

• There are restrooms at the visitor center.

• The caves are accessed through stairs and walkways that are not wheelchair accessible.

• Children 5 years and younger can enter the caves for free.

• Bring a rain jacket, since water can fall from the cave ceiling.

How to get there

The Hana Lava Tube is just off the famous Hana Highway (Highway 360) on Uliano Road, about 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) north of Hana. Public transportation options in this part of Maui are limited, so it's best to visit by car or as part of a guided tour. Free parking is available on-site.

When to get there

Tours of the Hana Lava Tube are available every day of the year from mid-morning to late afternoon. Maui is pleasant to visit year-round, though rainstorms can suddenly appear and disappear no matter the season. Self-guided tours are relatively quick, taking about 40 minutes; arrive mid-morning with a packed lunch to take advantage of the gardens and picnic areas.

Hawaii’s lava tubes

The Hana Lava Tube is not the only accessible lava tube on Maui—another cave system lies near a black sand beach in Wai‘ānapanapa State Park, also near Hana. There are many others throughout the Hawaiian islands, from the Kazumura lava tube—one of the longest and deepest lava tubes in the world—to the Thurston lava tube inside Hawaii Volcano National Park, both on the Big Island. Others are partly underwater, forming some of the best snorkeling spots in the island chain.

Ways to explore

The Hana Lava Tube is open daily from approximately 10:30am to 4pm for self‑guided tours that typically take 30–40 minutes. Entry costs around US$15 per adult; children ages 5 and under enter free. Admission includes a flashlight and a brief orientation before you descend into the cave system, which features lava formations, cooling air, and interpretive signs throughout.

You can visit independently or as part of a Road to Hana tour—many include a short stop here along with other natural highlights such as waterfalls and black-sand beaches. On-site extras include a botanical maze and shaded picnic areas.

Accessibility

The Hana Lava Tube is not wheelchair accessible.

Age limits

All ages are welcome, though young children may need assistance navigating stairs and low tunnels.

What to pack

Water bottle, reef-safe sunscreen

What to wear

Closed-toe shoes, long pants or durable shorts in case of contact with rough surfaces, light layer to stay comfortable underground

Not allowed

Touching or damaging lava formations, running or jumping inside the cave, backpacks or gear that obstruct pathways

Amenities

Restrooms, picnic area, visitor center, Red Ti Botanical Garden Maze

Address

Hana Lava Tube sits along Maui’s Road to Hana, just past mile marker 31. It’s usually visited as part of a Road to Hana itinerary, whether self-driven or via guided tours. The entrance is well-signed.

Driving

From Kahului or West Maui, follow Hana Highway (Route 36/360) toward Hana. After mile marker 31, turn left onto Ulaino Road and follow it to the parking area. Tours and self-guided visits start at the visitor center.

Public transportation

There is no direct public transit service to the lava tube; you must arrive via private vehicle or a guided Road to Hana tour that includes a stop at the site.

Best times to visit

Arrive when the cave system opens, usually around 10:30am, to avoid midday crowds and enjoy cooler, peaceful conditions inside the cave.

Best days to visit

Weekdays (especially midweek) are quieter than weekends or holidays along the Road to Hana.

Best months to visit

Late spring through early fall (April–October) typically offers stable weather and good road conditions. Winter storms may make the Road to Hana more challenging and damp.