Up in Smoke - Hawaii Restaurant

Up in Smoke

4.3(61 community reviews)
Moderate ($$)

About

Discover Up in Smoke, offering the best Hawaiian experience in Hana. Enjoy Moderate ($$) meals, explore their menu, and read reviews from the community on TasteHi.

A Smoky Pitstop on the Road to Hana

After navigating the winding turns and lush, emerald curves leading into Hana, the scent of hardwood smoke becomes your best guide. Up in Smoke stands as a no-frills, quintessential roadside stop that captures the raw, rugged essence of East Maui dining. There are no white tablecloths here—just the honest, intense aroma of slow-cooked meat drifting through the humid island air.

The Art of the Slow Burn

This is where local tradition meets the patience of a true pitmaster. The menu centers on succulent, fall-off-the-bone proteins that benefit from a low-and-slow approach, perfectly soaking up the smoke of local woods. The pulled pork is the clear standout, often served with sides that balance the richness of the meat with sharp, tangy tropical acidity. You will hear the distant sound of the Pacific breeze rustling through the palms as you dig into your plate at a weathered picnic table.

What to Expect

It is important to keep your expectations grounded: this is an open-air, counter-service operation. Parking can be a bit of a scramble when the mid-day tourist vans pull in, so aim for a slightly earlier lunch to beat the peak rush. While the noise of the main road is always present, it only adds to the gritty, authentic character of the spot. It is the ideal place for road-trippers who value flavor over formality and want a genuine taste of Maui’s barbecue culture before continuing their journey deeper into the Hana district.

Amenities & Features

Location

Hana Highway, Hana, Hawaii

Directions

Reviews

Showing 9 of 61 community reviews
P

praveen ReddyGoogle Maps

Recently

Awesome place in the woods

P

Patricia McDanielGoogle Maps

Recently

Delicious pork rice bowl. The pork is perfectly seasoned with a fair amount of black pepper. Had mine over a bowl of steamed white rice. There are several options of sauces to add to your pork and rice. There were quite a few yummy choices. So I went with 3 options..for some extra spice..sweetness and of course a little soy. It is a must stop on the Hana trail. Wanting to take the Hana Rd again just to get more of this tasty bite.

I

IvyGoogle Maps

Recently

The best ribs I ever had!!! When we arrived we were greeted by the guy on the grill and he was so friendly! We got the rib plate and OMG I can’t stop talking about these ribs! They are literally perfect!!

M

Michael HanleyGoogle Maps

Recently

Awesome place to stop on the road. The ribs were great and the chicken smelled amazing.

C

Chad WeimerGoogle Maps

Recently

What a great little pitstop! Awesome people, service with a smile. Had the fish taco and it was the best one I've ever had!!! Highly recommend!!!

M

Matt JonkerGoogle Maps

Recently

Some of the best ribs I have ever had!!

P

Pandaa MarieeGoogle Maps

Recently

If you’re doing the road to Hana you definitely need to make a stop here! Food was great. Some of the best bbq I’ve had in my life!

T

TonyGoogle Maps

Recently

A true diamond in the rough. Perfectly cooked pork ribs and chicken with a generous serving of vegetables. A breath of fresh air compared to the usual burgers, tacos and fries. Excellent value and friendly service. A must go en route to Blacksand beach!

A

Auntie Athena (ExploreMauiToday)Google Maps

Recently

Excellent stop along the Hana highway for food and drinks they barbecue ribs and chicken! remember this is Maui they are on Maui time... It might be a little bit of a wait and a little bit of a line because they are so good! it’s fresh and really good, w/ nice people, while you wait you can browse all the other stalls, I recommend drinking coconut water from a real coconut! And the fresh fruit plate was very unique highly recommend that as well only fresh local fruits in season.. someone has fresh fish tacos so one of you could get the fish tacos one of you gets the barbecue...can share. This whole market place is not on the map yet I added some extra photos of some of the others...

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Frequently Asked Questions about Up in Smoke

Common questions from diners about Up in Smoke in Hana.

Yes, seating is available at the location.

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