-- D. Salveri, Toronto
A: You are probably referring to the Hana Highway. For centuries Hana was cut off from the rest of Maui but that changed when a dirt road opened in 1927 connecting the small town to Kahului. In the 1960s, the dirt road was replaced by a two-lane paved road -- with 600 hairpin turns and more than 50 one-lane bridges. The Hana Highway went over streams and past cliffs and jungles.
Formally called route 36 -- but known by locals as the "highway to heaven" -- the 85-km road is considered one of America's most scenic drives. Beatles member George Harrison, who once lived on Maui, even wrote a sweet diddy -- Soft-hearted Hana -- which he dedicated to the funky town on the island's eastern shore.
The town has a historic 70-room hotel -- Hotel Hana-Maui -- which was recently bought by Green Tea, a U.S. firm that plans on making major improvements.
"Overall, the property is in good shape. The key to success will be in the branding of the hotel and Hana experience," said Joy Berry, president of Green Tea. Located on 30-hectares, Hotel Hana-Maui is surrounded by a 1,821-hectare ranch at the end of the Hana Highway. Since opening in 1947, it has been a favourite retreat for travellers seeking unspoiled natural beauty, tranquillity and a Hawaiian sense of place. Rooms are void of radios, clocks and televisions, and complimentary activities are offered -- everything from yoga to bicycle tours to lessons in lei-making and hula dancing. For more, contact hotelhanamaui.com or 808-248-8211. For more on the island, contact the Maui Vistors Bureau at visitmaui.com.
Q: Our hearts continue to go out to Haiti's earthquake victims. We'd appreciate any suggestions on how to help.
-- R. Owens, Scarborough
A: In addition to major charities such as UNICEF Canada (Unicef.ca), Care Canada (care.ca) and Save the Children Canada (savethechildren.ca) to name a few, there are private citizens assisting with relief efforts.
Quebec photographer Benoit Aquin went to Haiti as a volunteer with the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation and documented the human drama that unfolded there. His photo exhibition Haiti: After the Earthquake is on view at Galerie Pangee (galeriepangee.com, 40 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest). Aquin's publicist Genevieve Blouin says a percentage of proceeds from photograph sales will be donated to CECI's humanitarian efforts in Haiti.
Celebrities, of course, have also picked up the torch. Actor Sean Penn and philanthropist Diana Jenkins co-founded the J/P Haitian Relief Organization. Donations can be made online at jphro.org or mailed to J/P Haitian Relief Organization, File 1410, 1801 W. Olympic Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91199-1410 or Attention: 4th Floor J/P Haitian Relief Organization, City National Bank, 1801 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006. According to the NPO's website, since the Jan. 12 earthquake, J/P HRO has been on the ground, working to help Haitians not only recover from the disaster but also build a better future.
Canadian director Paul Haggis is working on Artists for Peace and Justice. Recently Hollywood's biggest stars came out to help raise nearly $100,000 at the Sept. 11 fundraiser for APJ in Toronto. You can donate online at apjnow.org. For general information and how you can get involved in the Haiti effort, e-mail info@artistsforpeaceandjustice.com. The non-profit organizations says 100% of donations go directly to the Haiti relief effort.
Send travel questions to ilona@mycompass.ca
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