The back side of the Road to Hana is on the South Side of Haleakala volcano. The volcano shields this area from the bulk of the precipitation that reaches Maui via the north east trade winds. This section of Maui is arid with light vegetation. It is a stark contrast to the dense Jungle of the Nahiku area. The limited vegetation also allows you to get a better view of the raw geology of the area.
The Oheo Gulch area of Haleakala national park also known as the "seven sacred pools" is located along this strech to the road. It is a stunning location where beatiful freshwater pools cascade into the ocean.