America's Best Small Beach Towns You've Never Heard Of

27. Hana, Hawaii – Paradise Beyond the Pavement

Most visitors to Maui never make it past the winding Road to Hana—but that’s their loss. This remote town on Maui’s eastern edge offers black sand beaches, lush rainforests, and crashing waterfalls without the tourist stampede. Hana Bay is a serene stretch for swimming or canoeing, and nearby Waiʻānapanapa State Park offers volcanic beauty that feels worlds away. Life here is slow, soulful, and rooted in community. Whether you're sipping fresh coconut water from a roadside stand or watching waves crash beneath ancient lava cliffs, Hana feels like the Hawaii you thought had disappeared.