Looking for a fun filled adventure day out from your South Maui Vacation Rental? Visit Paia Town! You will find quaint Paia Town on the famed North shore of Maui. This adorable plantation town is filled with color and character and makes for a great Maui day excursion! Old west style facades line the streets and there is only ONE stop light. Often times visitors glaze over Paia through the windows of their rental cars on the road to Hana, but make no mistake, Paia is a destination in itself.
A little History…
In the late 1800’s, Alexander and Baldwin created the Paia Plantation which was the start of Paia’s history. The Paia store was built out of necessity to support the local plantation camps community, thus Paia was born. Paia was a bustling plantation town with different businesses popping up as the immigrant population grew. In the late 1950s with the creation of “dream city” in Kahului, the plantation workers began to move from the camps to homes in central Maui. In the 60s and 70s, a wave of hippies immigrated who were attracted to Maui’s climate and hang loose attitudes and they took Paia as their unofficial capital. This has led to Paia’s diverse style and these bohemian vibes are what makes Paia so unique and special. You may even see “Don’t Feed the Hippies” signs dotted around Paia!
What to SEA…
Paia’s location on the North Shore of Maui has become a top windsurf destination. Any stop is Paia is incomplete without seeing famous Ho’okipa Beach. Ho’okipa is found about 10 minutes past the heart of Paia just off of the Hana Highway. Stop at Ho’okipa and, depending on the wind and waves, you will be able to see some of the world’s best windsurfers and even a few Sea Turtles dotting the beach. Two other standout beaches in Paia are Baldwin Beach and Paia Bay. Baldwin beach is a long stretch of sandy beach equipped with lifeguards and full facilities. On the far end of the beach, there is an enclosed area with a seawall known as Baby Beach which is perfect for kids or timid swimmers. Bring a picnic, lay down your towels, and you can settle in for a beautiful day at Baldwin Beach. A local favorite beach closest to Paia is Paia Bay. Paia Bay is home to the Paia Youth and Cultural Center, and has great boogie boarding conditions and well as sandy beach for swimming. You may even get to see the local kids show off some tricks on their boogie boards!
Where to Shop…
Paia has an assorted selection of shopping and dining opportunities. There are swimwear, jewelry, clothing boutiques, and more! For swimwear, check out Maui Girl on Baldwin avenue which has been featured on magazine covers like Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition, or San Lorenzo a chic swimwear shop at the ‘T’ of Baldwin and Hana Hwy. For some fun clothing shopping check out Alice in Hulaland a store on Baldwin avenue. If you’re looking for something to bring home to decorate your house, Paia has a few home goods stores as well. The new store on the block, POME, stands for Product Of My Environment, and is an eco-conscious boutique that features organic, recycled, and sustainably harvested products. Take time walking around Paia and you are sure to stumble upon some gems as the two main streets are sprinkled with shops!
Where to Dine…
For delicious breakfast in Paia, head to Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon! Charley’s is a true landmark in Paia. Enjoy their macadamia nut pancakes with coconut syrup or their scrumptious Eggs Benedict. Charley’s is the nightlife of Paia as well, so if you are looking to stay for a drink after a day of exploring, stop by Charley’s and you might even catch Willie Nelson playing with the local band. For lunch and dinner, stop by Flatbread Pizza. They feature local and organic ingredients and mouthwatering pizzas and signature salad. Flatbread is arguably the most popular place and it has earned this reputation! The line might be around the block and they only take reservations for parties of 10 or more. So be sure to call ahead to get your name on the wait list. If you’re feeling like an outdoor experience, get your pizza to go and walk down to Paia Bay and eat on the beach! Paia Gelato is the place to go for desert. Grab some gelato and cool down as you continue to walk around the coolest little town on Maui, Paia.
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