Upcountry
Beautiful beaches. Violet sunsets. Swaying palms… plus cowboys and onions. Maui is so much more than a typical tropical destination, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the cool pastures and quiet towns of Upcountry.
Seemingly a world away from Maui’s oceanfront locales, Upcountry is situated about half-way up the slopes of Haleakala. While its exact parameters are difficult to define, it is home to three of the islands most distinctive communities –Makawao, Kula, and Paia.
TIP:
Upcountry has generally lower temperatures than most of the island, so it’s a good idea to bring a light jacket.
Paia is as charming as it is eclectic. Its plantation-era storefronts are home to several ethnic eateries and dozens of colorful boutiques offering unique gifts, surf gear, and a variety of locally produced art, jewelry, and clothing. Where else can you shop for antiques and get a tattoo on the same street? It’s also just moments away from Hookipa Beach Park, one of the premier windsurfing locations in the world.
The quiet streets of Makawao were once know only as a paniolo town (Hawaiian for Cowboy.) In fact, you can still get a taste of cowboy life at weekend rodeo events, as well as the annual Forth of July Makawao Rodeo. However, these days you’re just as likely to run across a serious art collector, browsing the town’s several galleries, as you are a paniolo. It’s this eclectic mix of personalities and interests that make the town so fascinating.
Kula is a place of great bounty – gardens abound, many of them cultivating the most famous crop to hit Maui since the pineapple. The delicious Kula onion is sweet, flavorful, and appropriately mellow. Most of the local restaurants incorporate it into their menus in some way, and some Kula onion rings are a definite must-try. There are several other organic farms in the area, including an aromatic lavender farm. And to the south, the wonderful Tedschi Winery is a perfectly lovely place to spend an afternoon with a glass of Maui’s finest.
