From Paia to Hana Town, via the Road to Hana

You can walk from your overnight accommodations at Paia Inn to several local coffee shops and quick breakfast spots, and if you want that first coffee for the road — by all means, go for it. A stop at Jaws Country Store is still a requisite, however.
Owned by a local family and named after the monster North Maui surf break (see their website for a spine-tingling video of what it's like to surf Jaws when big wave season rolls around), Jaws Country Store is a one-stop shop for a light breakfasts, coffee beverages, snacks for the road, tons of locally-made goods, and the last restrooms you'll see for some miles.
There's also free public wi-fi — which, if you haven't already read more comprehensively about the many noteworthy stops along the Road to Hana, which are organized by mile markers, you should peruse now, or at least open and bookmark the website on your phone, so you can read about what you're seeing as you make the drive.
The one popular island breakfast item Jaws Country Store doesn't serve is açaí bowls. Pull off the road 1.6 miles earlier at Pe'ahi Farm Stand and Cafe if that's what you're craving this morning.

No need to pull over, per se. As you approach the Road to Hana Mile Marker 0.0, a small roadside sign, reset your vehicle's trip odometer, so that you are in sync with the mile makers all the way into Hana town.

Located just past Mile Marker #2, it's understandable to have mixed feelings about stopping so soon, when there's so much road to cover. Plus, Twin Falls tends to be a popular first stop, so parking can be a challenge.
You could keep driving, of course, but it's something of a right of passage to at least visit the smaller, lower falls (quite close to the road) and take in the lush tropical surroundings, perhaps purchase a smoothie or fresh coconut from the farm stand.
A relatively easy, one-mile round-trip nature walk (that may include wading through a stream) takes you to the namesake Twin Falls. (Hopefully, you've already dressed with your swimwear for the day.)

Rather than pulling off along the roadside to see the Road to Hana's painted rainbow eucalyptus trees up close, or paying $20 per person to visit the privately-maintained Garden of Eden Arboretum — although, by all means, stop in for a stroll there, if you'd like — by comparison, the modest (and free of charge) Ke'anae Arboretum at mile marker #16.7 features many similar native and non-native exotic flora, including all sorts of fruit trees and a lovely grove of those rainbow trees, too.

Detouring (ever so slightly) from the Road to Hana to pick up a couple of loaves of freshly baked, still warm-from-the-oven banana bread at Aunty Sandy's is an absolute must. It's a testament to how legendary this banana bread is that Aunty Sandy's sells out every single day the stand is open (which is every day of the week, except Sundays), often before the official closing time of 2:30 p.m.
What's the secret to selling 500+ loaves daily? Perfectly ripe, locally-grown bananas, which are nothing like what you can buy at home — and a heap of love, of course.

Parking is extremely limited here, which is why it's best to keep the car idling while you pull off for a quick photo-op of this trio of incredibly scenic, 70-foot cascading falls, also known as "the Three Bears." (If you are feeling extremely adventurous and want to attempt to get down to the swimming hole, this link has detailed instructions for where to park and how to make the descent — at your own risk.)

If it's time for a stretch break and a restroom stop, this delightful little roadside cafe hits the spot, serving up tropical smoothies made with local fruit, fresh-brewed tropical iced tea, coffee beverages, and a menu of healthy grab-and-go items including prepared sandwiches on fresh-baked sourdough bread and purple sweet potato salad — the concept being that everything's fresh, locally grown, and organic. There's a good selection of Maui-made jams, jellies, and hot sauces, too. (Closed Saturdays)
Hungry for something heartier? Hold off from ordering lunch until you get to Nahiku Marketplace another 10 minutes or so down the road, where an assortment of small food shacks serve up everything from island-style tacos, to BBQ'd ribs, and fish n' chips. (Just be aware that the restroom facilities are extremely basic.) Nahiku Marketplace has a mix of souvenir stalls, as well.

Welcome to Hana! Arriving, at last, to the famed Wai'anapanapa State Park on the outskirts of Hana town feels in some ways like arriving at the end of a rainbow. Wai'anapanapa means "glistening waters" and indeed, watching the contrast of the brilliantly clear ocean water washing over and retreating from the the black sand beach, Paiola, it's a perfect description. This is one of two Hana beaches to check out this afternoon, before checking into your accommodations, so you can relax now — you've made it!
As of 2022, to enter the park advance reservations are now required — in order to prevent overcrowding and over-tourism.

Two beaches in one afternoon, because, why not? You are on holiday in Hawaii, after all, and the contrast between the two beaches is absolutely stunning.
Just outside Hana town in the other direction (that you'll be driving tomorrow) Hamoa Beach is a nearly perfect crescent-shaped beach with lots of natural greenery that's absolutely worth discovering. It's wild Hawaii in all it's glory — just be mindful swimming, as there are no life guards on duty. Larger waves can break without much warning, and there may be rip currents. (You also have to be somewhat sure-footed to make it down the rugged path to the beach from the road.)

On your way from the beach back into Hana town, make a pit stop by 100-year-old Hasegawa General Store, a local institution, to pick up a bottle of wine or any other cold beverages for the evening — and maybe some snacks and waters for the road tomorrow. This one-stop-shop for locals and visitors alike has a selection of local merch, too.

In the evenings, Hana town is quite a sleepy destination. Case in point, the casual pizza restaurant at Hana Farms, one of the town's most popular eateries.
Closes at 6 p.m. most nights of the week — with the exception of Friday and Saturday evenings, when they host live music from 6-8 p.m.
That's all well and good though because pizza happens to be one of the best possible take-away meals, and Hana Farms serves up some creative choices, such as the "Hana Dragon" (red sauce, fresh mozzarella, soppressata, parmesan, and Hawaiian chili pepper hot honey) and the "Paniolo" (red sauce, fresh mozzarella, pepperoni, Genoa salami, local sausage, bell peppers, onions, and mild jalapeno crema). Phone your order in ahead of time, so they know you're on your way.
Other take-away dinner options include the various food trucks in the old Hasegawa Gas Station Food Court; I Lava Tacos reliably stays open past 6 p.m. (closed Sundays and Mondays). Keep an eye out for roadside stands selling heaping platters of Huli Huli chicken and ribs, too.

Time to check into your slice of paradise for the evening! There's only one traditional hotel in town, the Hana-Maui Boutique Resort, a Hyatt property, and rates tend to be quite expensive. Small inns and home and cottage rentals are more common.
One comfortable option is Hana Kai Maui, a two story, 18-unit "condotel" that features studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom units, each with slightly different decor and layout. Units have full kitchens and many have balconies — some with spectacular ocean views.
Book Hana Kai Maui Now