Looking to lift your spirits? Well, you’re in luck because Paia Town was named one of “America’s Happiest Seaside Towns” by Coastal Living Magazine. Before making your way down the road to Hana, make a quick stop! A walk through Paia Town and the surrounding beaches will give you a chance to shop, eat, and enjoy some time by the sea.
A historic plantation town, Paia, is over 103 years old. Before then, the mill opened in 1880 and brought people of different cultures to the town, including people from nearby plantation fields. The workers then built Paia’s first store in 1896. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, a large group of hippies made their way from the mainland to Hawaii, making Paia Town Maui’s own “hippie town.” The mill closed in 2000, but the town is still as lively as ever!
Nowadays, tourists and locals come to Paia Town, with their wallets ready for some shopping. Boutiques filled with clothes, bikinis, and jewelry are lined down the street. You will also find your mouth watering when you come across the oven baked flatbread from Maui Flatbread Company. If you have a craving for a sweet sensation, Cafe Des Amis will hit the spot, serving crepes of all kinds. You can find anything to satisfy your cravings in Paia Town.
Outside of this small town, within walking distance, are a few beaches that will definitely make your trip to the north shore worthwhile. Lining up in one long strip of golden sand and turquoise waters, Paia Bay, Baldwin Beach Park, and Baby Beach await you. Paia Bay is great for body boarding. You’ll find a lot of locals waiting for the waves to roll in. Baldwin Beach is perfect for a nice swim or a place to relax under the sun. On the farther end of Baldwin Beach, near Spreckelsville is Baby Beach. With a shallow lagoon, protected by the ocean, Baby Beach is ideal for small children to enjoy.
Farther North, past Paia Town is Hookipa Beach Park. Hookipa beach is internationally known for its windsurfing. During the winter, waves can reach as high as 20 feet, which is why many surfing competitions are held here. Spectators can watch from afar, admiring the many tricks that surfers can do with just their board and the ocean!
Happiness awaits you! Just 35-40 minutes from your South Maui Vacation Rental, take a quick trip to Maui’s own Paia Town. With massive paintings upon the walls, and stacks of surfboards, you’ll enjoy the many sights that Paia has to offer, surrounded by the happy atmosphere.
