Cool Middle Elevations Feature Agriculture and Ranching Communities
No visit to Maui is complete without a visit to the Upcountry, which starts at an elevation of about 1,000 feet above sea level at the town of Pukalani, and extends up the slope of Haleakala Volcano to the towns of Ulupalakua, Makawao, and Kula.
Here are some highlights of a visit to Maui’s north shore and Upcountry regions:
Paia
Your journey towards Maui’s Upcountry begins at Paia. This former sugar town is now one of Maui’s favorite visitor destinations for its many little boutiques and shops displaying the works of some of the island’s finest artists and craftspeople.
Paia is also known as the gateway to the windy and beautiful road to Hana.
Hookipa
This famous Maui beach is world renown for its windsurfing opportunities, and from the overlook above the beach you can see all the action.
Makawao Town
Seemingly right out of the Old West with many false front buildings, Makawao’s original founders were Japanese and Portuguese immigrants who moved “upcountry” after finishing their work on the sugar plantations.
Today Makawo is an east Maui town that features many attractive art galleries and boutiques that make for an enjoyable stroll. Also check out the Komoda Store and Bakery (808-572-7261, 3674 Baldwin Avenue), a Makawao Town landmark established more than 60 years ago – for some delicious cream buffs and other tasty treats.
Bordering ranch lands, Makawao evokes the paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) spirit. A colorful parade takes over Makawao Town on the fourth of July featuring many paniolos along with lots of cowgirls, wonderfully adorned horses, and decorative floats for the big parade.
Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center
The lovely Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center (808-572-6560, 2841 Baldwin Ave) in Makawao is located in the historic plantation-era mansion known as Kaluanui, which was designed in 1917 by architect Charles William Dickey for the Baldwin family.
The Arts Center was established in 1936 by Ethel Baldwin, who was the wife of Harry Baldwin, a business and political leader of the time. Serving as a showcase of local artworks and also offers classes in addition to art exhibits. The Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center is open daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
Makawao Union Church
One of Hawaii’s most famous early architects, Charles William Dickey, designed this stone chapel for the missionary and industrialist Baldwin family. The church is located on Baldwin Avenue between Makawao and Paia.
Holy Rosary Church
Located across from the Makawao Union Church, the Holy Rosary Church features a statue of the renown Father Damien who was recently proclaimed a saint by the Vatican.
Holy Ghost Church
Located above the lower Kula Highway, this attractive church was built in 1895 by Portuguese immigrants who finished out their sugar plantation contracts and moved to Maui’s upcountry to begin ranching and farming. The octagonally-shaped building is affectionately referred to as “the wedding cake church.”
Holy Ghost Church features some beautiful artwork in its stations of the cross, and baroque-style altar, which were carved by master Austrian woodcarver Ferdinand Stuflesser. The altar is a replica of the crown of Portugal’s Queen Isabella, a gift from the Portuguese royal family.
The Portuguese tradition lives on at Holy Ghost Church werhe sweet bread is still baked by the Holy Ghost’s “bread ladies.”
Kula
Kula is the quintissential upcountry area where large quantities of beautiful flowers are raised including orchids, protea, bird of paradise, carnations. Other agricultural products in this area include sweet Kula onions, strawberries, and many specialty foods used by Hawaii’s finest restaurants.
Check out the Kula Botanical Gardens (808-878-1715) where many native trees and plants are displayed along with exotic flowers inclduing an orchid house and many dozens of protea varieties. The Gardens also feature an aviary and a koi pond, along with an adjacent Christmas tree farm. Kula Gardens is open from 9 to 4 daily.