The magic of a Maui rainforest helicopter tour is experiencing what most people don’t. The famous Road to Hana is a 64-mile stretch of winding jungle road. From the road, you see the edges of the rainforest and Maui waterfalls, but not deep into its heart. Most visitors spend a full day on the road. While the sights are spectacular, there’s a lot of beauty left on the table.
The deepest part of Maui’s forest, between Kahului and Hana, sits behind ridgelines. No trails and no roads cross those ridgelines. The only way to see it is from the air.
Honokōhau Falls, Maui's Tallest Waterfall
A perfect example is Honokōhau Falls. The falls are the tallest waterfall on Maui, and one of the hardest for visitors to ever see. Surprisingly, it’s also one of the most recognizable. Set deep in a remote valley in the West Maui Mountains, movie fans might recognize it without knowing the name. Honokōhau Falls is in the opening sequence of the original Jurassic Park.
A helicopter covers what a car can’t: elevation. From above, you see past the roadside attractions everyone stops for. You see into the valleys that builders never built highways to reach. And you discover places like Honokōhau, the hidden gems of the island.
The Rainforest That Never Dries Out
The endless green ridges of the Hana rainforest need a staggering amount of water. West Maui receives more rainfall than almost anywhere on the planet. At 5,788 feet, Puʻu Kukui is the highest point in the West Maui Mountains. It gets an average of 386.5 inches of rain each year. That’s enough to rank among the wettest spots on Earth.
That rainfall feeds every stream and waterfall you fly past, including Honokōhau. It also explains why so much of this terrain has stayed wild, without roads. Ground that wet with slopes that steep makes it challenging to build lasting roads. Ones that don’t flood or erode.
This is a natural part of Maui’s ecosystem. It isn’t something to alter, nor would anyone wish to. Instead, we learn to adjust, and one of the best options is to take in Maui from the sky above.
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Hawaiian Evergreen
It’s not just greenery, rainfall, and waterfalls either. Another magical sight of the Hana rainforest only comes for eagle-eyed viewers. If you look closely at the canopy flying by, you’ll catch flashes of red in the green. That’s ʻōhiʻa lehua. It’s a flowering evergreen and Hawaii’s most common native tree. It’s also one of the first plants to take root on fresh lava.
ʻōhiʻa lehua leaves catch fog and draw moisture into the forest floor. Its flowers are also a primary food source for the native birds living in the canopy. As you might expect, the prevalence of this tree has made it very important in Hawaiian culture.
For generations, Hawaiians have braided its blossoms into lei. Chant and hula also honor the flower, closely tied to Pele, the goddess of volcanoes. Although you’ll likely glance at ʻōhiʻa on a visit to Hawaii, seeing the red sprouts all over the island is something special.
Flying the Hana Rainforest & Haleakalā Helicopter Tour
Our Hana Rainforest & Haleakalā Helicopter Tour takes you above the Road to Hana and the Hana rainforest. We climb over spilled salt waterfalls, lush green, and spots of sacred red. And it’s not just rainforests. We also explore the jagged rocks and desolation of Haleakalā’s crater.
We’re a family-owned company, and our pilots have spent decades finding the very best views in Maui. Some of them grew up right here on the island, hiking the same valleys they now fly over every day. That local knowledge shapes the stories you’ll hear through your headset. It also inspires the details about the land that go beyond anything a guidebook can offer.
Ready to See What the Road Can't Show You?
Seeing the edges of Maui’s rainforest on the Road to Hana is a great day. But seeing its heart from the air is absolutely unforgettable. We can’t wait to show you firsthand!
[Reserve Your Spot] or call (808) 877-7005 to find the right flight for your family.
