Today we will be moving toward the North Shore of Maui to explore the lovely beach side town of Paia (pronounced pa-ee-a). Following the construction of the first sugar mill in the 1870s, this charming small town was founded in 1896 as a Hawaiian Plantation Village.
Paia offers a high quality vacation and lifestyle. It has a quaint small-town feel with pastel mom-and-pop style buildings. If you’re staying in one of our South Maui condo rentals, spend a day in Paia and kick back island style! The town was voted one of America’s happiest seaside towns by Coastal Living Magazine. Paia is an eclectic town with a mix of hippies, surf culture and eco-friendly living. The town itself has luxury oceanfront properties, high-end boutiques, art galleries, surf shops, laid back restaurants and even a Tibetan Buddhist Stupa consecrated by the Dalai Lama himself.
The drive to Paia on the Hana Highway makes for fantastic sightseeing! It is situated among sugar cane and pineapple fields, after Baldwin Beach and prior to world famous Ho‘okipa Beach Park. Ho‘okipa attracts pro windsurfers and kite surfers from all over the world. The Ho‘okipa lookout overlooks the legendary big wave surf break Jaws (aka Peʻahi). The intense crashing of these deep blue waves will leave you in awe. When the swells come in during the winter months, they can reach up to 60 feet or 18 meters in height. Surfers daring enough to ride the wave are dropped off via Jet Ski.
Paia has a lot to offer foodies. Get your morning coffee fix at Paia Bay Coffee, where you can enjoy your beverage in secluded lush green gardens or pop into Honololu Coffee on Hana Highway. Hot spots for eating in Paia are Paia Fish Market, Café Des Amis and Flatbread Company. A little past the town center is Mama’s Fish House. This fantastic tropical restaurant is well known for its mouth-watering opakapaka (pink snapper). You can also buy your own groceries at health store Mana Foods. At night head to Charley’s Restaurant & Saloon for great drinks and live music!
You won’t want to miss Paia town! Combine a leisurely day at the beach, watching surfers, and eating ono (delicious) food, all within your reach in this North Shore oasis.
