E Komo Mai!
Welcome to Maui!
Ask ten people why they moved to Maui and you'll get ten different answers — the surf, the slower mornings, the way the mountains and ocean are never more than a few minutes apart.
Every region here has its own rhythm. This is a starting point for finding the one that fits how you actually want to live.
From the sunny beaches on the South Side to the waterfalls & jungles of the East Side. And from the jaw dropping waves on the North Shore to catching rainbows Upcountry … there’s a piece of Maui for everyone.
Explore Maui
With nine different zip codes on Maui alone, every single area has it’s own unique style & feel.
Wether it’s close proximity to health care facilities and the airport; Or a quick walk to the beach; Or you want a farm with some animals; Or bar hop from hotel to hotel; Or just take in the panoramic views from the mountain … there’s a piece of Maui for everyone.
Central Maui:
Kahului & Wailuku
Collectively, these two areas account for the largest population on Maui. It’s also where you’ll find local state and county offices, as well as industrial, commercial and retail shopping. From big box stores like Costco, Target, Walmart, Home Depot and Lowes to smaller shops like Maui Sporting Goods, West Marine and Marmac Ace Hardware. You’ll also find some of the best local ‘hole in the wall’ eats!
Kahului (96732)
The area: Kahului is Maui's largest town and its commercial heart — home to Kahului Airport, the island's only big-box retail (Target, Costco, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's), and Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, Maui's biggest shopping center. It's not a resort area — it's where locals actually run errands, work, and live day to day, roughly 30–45 minutes from the West and South Side resort areas. Also have to mention that Pu’unene (96784) area, was the home to the former HC&S Sugar Cane facility. HC&S stopped production in 2016, after 146 years of continuous commercial sugar cultivation on Maui.
Things to do:
Maui Arts & Cultural Center for concerts, theater, and local events
Kanahā Beach Park — long stretch of sand popular with windsurfers and kiteboarders, plus a nice easy walk
Maui's central movie theater at the Maui Mall
Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum — a small but meaningful exhibit that showcase’s Maui’s sugar production.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Bistro Casanova, Tin Roof (Sheldon Simeon's plate lunch spot), Brigit & Bernard’s Garden Cafe
Shop: Queen Kaʻahumanu Center & Maui Mall
Good to know: This is the practical hub — great for buyers who want proximity to the airport, work, and everyday conveniences rather than resort life.
The area: The county seat of Maui and a genuinely historic town, Wailuku sits at the foot of the West Maui Mountains, about 10 minutes from the airport. Market Street's wooden storefronts house family-run shops and restaurants — many multi-generational — alongside a slow wave of new boutiques and cafés. It's Maui's best mix of old Hawaii character and everyday small-town life. It’s also affectionately known as “The Wai Side.” It includes the areas of Waikapu, Waihe’e and Waiehu.
Wailuku (96793)
Things to do:
ʻĪao Valley State Park — short paved walk to the iconic ʻĪao Needle, a lush & sacred valley
Bailey House Museum (Hale Hōʻikeʻike) for local history
Rediscover Wailuku walking tour — 23+ historic and cultural sites through downtown, including Kaʻahumanu Church and the 1927 ʻĪao Theater
Kepaniwai Heritage Gardens, on the way up to ʻĪao Valley
Best recommendations:
Eat: Sam Sato's (local noodle institution), Tasty Crust, Tiffany’s Restaurant & Bar
Good to know: Parking gets tight on weekday business hours downtown — plan around it. This is the town to point buyers to for historic character and a genuine local-town feel.
North Shore:
Paia & Haiku
Welcome to Maui’s North Shore: Maui's soul — barefoot surf towns where sugarcane fields meet the sea, mornings start with a fresh coffee & a delicious acai bowl and life moves at exactly the pace it should: unhurried and a little wild. Think funky plantation cottages tucked into jungle, world-class surf just down the road and a community that still gathers at the farmers market on Saturdays. Paia keeps the beat with its boutiques and beach bars, while Haiku offers quiet, tree-lined privacy just minutes away.
Paia (96779)
The area: One moto flourishes here: “Don’t Feed The Hippies.” Paia is Maui's eclectic bohemian surf town. Think kids on skateboards clutching a surfboard while hitch hiking their way to Ho’okipa Beach. You’ll find old plantation-era storefronts painted in patchwork pastels, packed into a walkable stretch under half a mile at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and the Hana Highway (it's the last stoplight before the Road to Hana). Surfers, artists, and longtime locals give it an eclectic, unpolished energy that's stayed genuinely independent. A true “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” way of life. And don’t be surprised if you see Willie Nelson, Adam Sandler or one of the Owens brothers walking around. They come for the good food and good vibes too.
Things to do:
Hoʻokipa Beach Park — world-famous windsurfing and big-wave surf spot, also a great sea turtle viewing beach
Paia Bay, Baldwin Beach Park, and Baby Beach — all walkable from town
Browse the galleries, surf shops and boutiques in town. I recommend ‘Alice in Hulaland’ for classic paraphernalia, ‘Sand ‘n Sea’ for cute gifts and ‘Mahina’ for trendy outfits.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Paia Fish Market for the best fish burgers (ask for secret ‘Obama Style’ if you like spice); Flatbread Pizza Co for wood fired pizza. To take it to the max: Mama’s Fish House for that unforgettable celebratory meal.
Shop: Mana Foods — the social hub of town and the best natural foods store on the island
Good to know: Paia is very popular with big wave surfers and waterman, so it falls on the ‘high’ end of real estate.
The area: Just east of Paia, Haiku is a more vast but quieter ‘upcountry-meets-jungle’. Picture misty days, green landscapes, residential ruralness, with a strong community feel and none of the tourist bustle. It's a favorite for buyers who want North Shore access without North Shore prices or crowds. It’s also one of the best areas to grow the garden of your dreams. With yearly average rainfalls from 59 to 74 inches, you won’t have any troubles with irrigation. It’s also a popular area to go completely ‘off-grid.’ Store the suns rays via solar panels and into batteries, as well as capture the rain in catchment tanks and use with UV filters. Haiku is a large area that takes some time getting to know … but it’s worth it.
Haiku (96708)
Things to do:
Twin Falls — an easy, family-friendly waterfall hike right at the start of the Road to Hana (mile marker 2), with swimming holes and a bamboo forest
Haʻikū Marketplace — housed in the historic Haiku Cannery, with local food vendors, art, and small shops
NorthShore Zipline — a seven-line course set on a former WWII base with ocean views.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Colleen's at the Cannery (try the banana macadamia nut pancakes), Nuka (Japanese/sushi with locally caught fish)
Good to know: This is a strong pick for buyers who want land, privacy and a jungle setting while staying close to Paia and the airport corridor.
Upcountry:
Hali’imaile, Pukalani, Makawao & Kula
Upcountry is Maui living at a different altitude, literally and figuratively. Perched on the slopes of Haleakalā, this ideal stretch is full of paneled ranches, paniolo history and jacaranda-lined roads that come to life every spring. Trade beach-town bustle for cool mountain air, rolling pasture views and sweeping vistas that stretch clear down to the ocean. Makawao's boutiques and cowboy charm, Kula's flower farms and sunrise hikes, Pukalani's easy family living and Haliimaile's quiet plantation-town roots all add up to the same feeling: space to breathe, room to grow and a slower, sweeter pace of island life.
Pukalani (96768)
The area: Makawao is Maui's paniolo (cowboy) town to it’s core. With strong ranching and agricultural roots, you’ll find a lovely arts community and a laid-back, small-town main street lined with historic wooden storefronts. It’s also home to Maui (and the state’s) oldest continuously operated bakery: Komoda’s. Makawao is the character and fun lifestyle pick in Upcountry, only a few minutes past Pukalani, with a noticeably artsier, more independent feel. Expect cooler and rainier days - possibly 12–20 rain days a month - and temps generally in the 75–80°F range. Oh, and don’t be afraid if you see a few cowboys strolling down the street on horse back.
The area: Pukalani sits at about 1,500 feet on Haleakalā's slopes. It’s name means “Hole in the Heavens” which directly relates to always seeing blue skies thru the surrounding clouds. Picture a ‘breezy suburbia with upcountry swagger’ as one local guide puts it. It's the most accessible entry point for buyers who want the cooler elevation and broad island views of Upcountry without trading away convenience. You’ll find subdivisions, a country club, good schools and two main shopping areas keep it relatively all in one spot. Reliable trade winds keep it cooler than the coast, though afternoons can get dusty and breezy, especially by late winter.
Things to do:
Golf at Pukalani Country Club, a public 18-hole course bordering the neighborhood.
Upcountry Farmers Market at Kulamalu Town Center — Saturdays, 7–11 a.m., local produce, baked goods, honey, flowers and crafts.
Community pool, recreation center, sports fields and parks make this a very walkable & user friendly area.
Best recommendations:
Eat/shop: Kojima's Sushi for lunch or dinner; Pukalani Superette for everyday groceries and local grinds; Kulamalu Town Center for food trucks; Lahaina Brewing for a local pint & Longs for conveniences.
Good to know: This is the practical, family-friendly Upcountry pick — most buyers land here when they want the elevation and views but still want an easy, service-oriented day-to-day.
Things to do:
Makawao Forest Reserve — seven hiking trails from easy to intermediate, through native Hawaiian forest
Browse the art galleries along Makawao's main street (Kirsten Burney Gallery, Sherri Reeve Gallery, Viewpoints Gallery Maui)
Catch the town during the annual 4th of July Paniolo Parade & Rodeo if the timing lines up — it's the heart of the cowboy-town identity
Best recommendations:
Eat: T. Komoda Store & Bakery: get there early — pastries sell out by 10 a.m, closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.; Casanova Italian Restaurant for Italian favs; Makawao Public House for a fun gastropub feel.
Good to know: This is the town to point buyers to for historic small-town character, galleries, and a genuine paniolo identity within Upcountry.
The area: Kula is by far and away the largest area on Maui. It covers over 224 square miles of land across the slopes of Haleakala. This is Maui's ideal farm country — cool climate, rich volcanic soil, with sweeping views down to the coastline and across the channel to Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi on a clear day. It's the island's agricultural hub, growing everything from lavender and protea to Maui onions and tropical fruit. It's a favorite for buyers wanting acreage, privacy, quiet and a view. It’s also where you can access Haleakala National Park. Drive up to the summit, which sits at 10,023 ft, for insane views inside the dormant volcano crater. Bring your closed toe shoes and your biggest water bottle if you want to hike down ‘Sliding Sands’ to feel what it must be like to walk on Mars. Or you could catch glimpses of five other islands in the distance: Moloka’i, Lana’i, Kaho’olawe, Big Island and sometimes Oahu.
Kula (96709)
Makawao (96768)
Things to do:
Volunteer with Malama Kula, a non-profit organization that grew from the ashes of the upcountry wild fires on August 8, 2023. 100% supported thru community action and donations.
Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm — 45+ varieties of lavender, walking tours and a café.
Oʻo Farm — farm tours and a farm-to-table lunch using what's harvested that day.
Haleakalā National Park for hiking and enjoying the sunrise/sunset crater views.
A drive out to Ulupalakua to taste local Maui Wine and sample an elk burger at the Ranch Store. You’ll see some of the best coastal and West Maui Mountain views anywhere on the island.
Hali’imaile (96768)
The area: Hali'imaile is a tiny former pineapple-plantation camp tucked between Paia and Makawao. The name means "a covering of maile," for the fragrant native vine that once blanketed the area. Hali’imaile really grew in size around a 1925 plantation store built for immigrant field workers. Today, it's still home to Hawai'i's last working pineapple operation. It's a quiet, close-knit, almost hidden pocket of Upcountry — only a handful of streets surrounded by farmland that’s a niche pick for buyers who want rural, agricultural land close to Upcountry, Central Maui and the airport.
Things to do:
Maui Pineapple Tour at Hāli'imaile Farms — ride through the fields, learn how Maui Gold pineapples are grown and hand-harvested, plant one yourself, and take a free pineapple home ($95–$195 depending on tour, some pairing lunch at the General Store).
Otherwise, it's a drive-through/stop-in spot on the way for locals traveling between Paia and Makawao or Kahului and Haiku, rather than a destination with its own attractions.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Hali'imaile General Store — opened in 1987 by chef Beverly Gannon in the old 1925 plantation store building, now run by Gather Restaurant Group with a farm-to-table focus; open daily 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
Good to know: This is the smallest and most agricultural of the Upcountry pockets — good for buyers specifically looking for ag land or plantation-era character rather than a walkable town center.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Kula Bistro, Kula Marketplace (for food trucks and the shopping), La Provence for French-Hawaiian pastries or Kula Sandalwoods Inn & Cafe.
Good to know: This is where to send buyers looking for privacy, elevation and a slower pace. Kula Hospital will treat small emergencies, but it can still be about a 30–45 minutes to the hospital or airport, depending on where you are in Kula.
West Side:
Lahaina, Ka’anapali & Kapalua
Life on the West Side moves at golden-hour speed. From the deep-rooted history and resilience of Lahaina to the resort ease of Kaanapali's beach walk and the quiet luxury of Kapalua's green hills and coastline, this stretch of Maui blends heart and heritage with elevated living. Think sunset sails, world-class golf, powdery sand beaches and a tight-knit community that still feels like old Hawaii — just with better views.
Lahaina (96761)
The area: Lahaina, or ‘relentless sun’ is West Maui's historic town hub. Following the August 8, 2023 wildfire, the area is still visibly rebuilding and recovering. As of the three-year anniversary in 2026, roughly 600 homes have been rebuilt, hundreds more under construction and about 1,000 additional permits issued or in process. As of August 2026, Front Street has reopened following debris removal, seawall and sidewalk repairs, new railings and tree plantings and repaving. ʻUlu o Lele Marketplace, Kimo's and more than a dozen other businesses are on their way back open. Lahaina harbor is open as well, but it's worth double-checking current status before sending clients down. The historic Banyan Tree is still recovering — about 40% of its canopy was removed after the fire, and Banyan Court Park itself isn't yet open to the public. Above all, you can feel the love and resilience of this small but mighty historic community.
Things to do:
Walk the reopened stretch of Front Street and support the reopened local businesses.
Lahaina Harbor — reopened December 2025 with limited tour operations: sunset sails, West Maui snorkel trips, and seasonal whale watching
Baby Beach — accessible from the north side of Mala Ramp, a reef-protected spot good for swimming and snorkeling, especially with kids
Old Lahaina Luau, which has continued operating nightly
Browse Lahaina Cannery Mall and Lahaina Gateway Center, both operating normally with a food truck court
Best recommendations:
Eat: Aloha Mixed Plate, Star Noodle, Honu Oceanside, Mala Ocean Tavern, and Coco Deck Lahaina along the waterfront behind Cannery Mall.
Shop: Lahaina Cannery Mall for everyday groceries and gifts.
Good to know: Give clients an honest, current picture of Lahaina's recovery — it's a meaningful, ongoing story, and it's changing month to month, so verify what's open before you point someone there. West Side buyers and visitors appreciate transparency over a glossy pitch.
Ka’anapali (96761)
The area: Kaʻanapali — Hawaiian for "rolling cliffs" — is Hawaii's original master-planned resort, developed in the 1960s just north of Lahaina. It's stayed as one of Maui's most reliable resort settings, with an "essential regal feel" from its natural scenery and generally sunny, dry weather even when other parts of the island are wetter. There’s also a paved beach walk that goes from one end of Ka’anapali to the other, allowing you access to all the different resorts as well as the world famous ‘Whaler’s Village’ for top notch shopping and well known west side restaurants. Ka’anapali beach is not just for sun bathing - it’s also access to jump on a beach loading boat to go snorkeling, whale watching or catch a beautiful sunset sail with cocktails and ‘pupus’.
Things to do:
Kaʻanapali Beach — three miles of white sand, with the beachfront boardwalk connecting hotels, restaurants and Whalers Village shopping center
Black Rock, at the north end of the beach — great snorkeling and diving, plus a nightly torch-lighting and cliff-diving ceremony at sunset (swimming from shore isn't recommended due to currents)
Whalers Village for shopping, dining, and live music/happy hour spots along the boardwalk
Luau nights, including Drums of the Pacific at the Hyatt Regency
Whale watching in winter, and seasonal parasailing
Best recommendations:
Eat: Leilani's on the Beach, Duke's Beach House, Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, Choice Health Bar
Shop: Whalers Village
Good to know: This is the pick for clients who want a classic, established resort setting with an easy walk to the beach, shopping, golf and dining all in one place. Don’t be fooled - this is no ‘secret’ spot on Maui. Expect lots of crowds and high traffic in peak seasons.
The area: sitting at the very tip of the West Maui, just past the busier resort areas, Kapalua is a resort destination that was created by the Maui Land & Pineapple Company. It extends just inland from Kapalua Bay and over to the famous Honolua Bay preserve. You’ll find a very unhurried (and very upscale) stretch where championship golf courses run toward sea cliffs and ancient lava formations meet the Pacific. It's the pick for clients who want beauty without the crowds and don’t have to think about the price tag to get it. One of the major pitfalls of visiting/living on the west side is the extremely limited access to it. Since it’s so remote, it’s also one of the farthest places to travel to. Average drive to the airport is an hour, not including possible traffic jams or accidents. The Honoapi’ilani Hwy (Hwy 30) or “the Pali” as locals refer to it - is the only way in or out from Kahului, Kihei or anywhere else on the island. Sooo … if there is a traffic incident or road closure, you could be stuck for hours.
Kapalua (96761)
Things to do:
Kapalua Bay and Namalu Bay (Kapalua Beach) — sheltered, calm-water snorkeling among some of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii
DT Fleming Beach Park — Kapalua's longest stretch of sand, with full facilities and shade trees
Kapalua Coastal Trail — a 1.76-mile paved path through ironwood groves connecting several bays
Dragon's Teeth (Makaluapuna Point) — dramatic jagged lava formations, ocean views, and a beach-stone labyrinth
Golf at the Plantation Course (host of the PGA Tour's Sentry Tournament, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore) or the Arnold Palmer–designed Bay Course
Best recommendations:
Eat: Merriman's Kapalua (oceanfront, Hawaiian Regional Cuisine), The Banyan Tree at the Ritz-Carlton, Taverna by Meritage, Honolua Store (casual, family-run since 1929)
Good to know: December thru January is the busiest time of year. It’s also when whale season starts to pick up, and February is peak season. April–October brings the calmest seas; this is the quiet, high-end pick within West Maui — good for clients specifically prioritizing privacy and golf over nightlife.
South Side:
Kihei, Wailea & Makena
South Maui can be summed up with sunny skies and golden beaches to give you easy island living. From Kihei's laid-back beach town vibe to Wailea's resort-lined shores and Makena's untouched coastline, the South Side offers something for everyone. With reliable sunny weather, world-class snorkeling, five star amenities all at a relaxed pace that makes it feel like vacation every day.
Kihei (96753)
The area: Kihei sits at the top end of South Maui, and it’s the most authentic, lived-in community of the area. This mostly dry and arid environment has lead developers to make ‘lemons into lemonade’ starting in the late ‘70s. You’ll find multiple planned residential neighborhoods and shopping centers that have created a unique community that still feels like a real town rather than a resort corridor. Locals frequent the same sought after spots that tourist do regularly. From the weekly farmers market, popular dining spots and the well known beach/park life keep it grounded. It sits on the sunny, dry leeward coast, about 25 minutes from Kahului Airport, 35 mins from Upcountry and West Side, and stretches roughly four miles along protected coastline.
Things to do:
Kamaole I, II, and III ("the Kams") — Kihei's most popular beaches. Great for soaking up the rays, playing beach volleyball and swimming; with winter whale sightings peak from mid January thru mid March,
Keawakapu Beach — finer sand, great snorkeling, connected to nearby beaches by a scenic walking path
Kalama Park — volleyball courts, playground, and a community gathering spot under the monkeypod trees
Kihei Boat Ramp - best place to catch a fast boat out to Molokini Crater. Larger catamarans will leave from nearby Māʻalaea Harbor, about 25 min drive away.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Hawaiian Moons Natural Food for the best Acai bowl; Coconut's Fish Cafe for fish tacos, Nalu's South Shore Grill for burgers, Cafe O'Lei for pacific fusion, Kihei Caffe for local favorites with huge portions or South Maui Gardens for food trucks.
Shop: Safeway and Foodland for everyday groceries; the Wednesday Farmers Market at Kalama Park (1:30–4 p.m.) for local produce and prepared foods
Good to know: This is the entry-level-to-mid-range pick on the South Side — the town where buyers want genuine local character and value relative to Wailea.
Wailea (96753)
The area: Wailea is Maui's premiere master-planned luxury resort community. Commonly known as ‘the string of pearls’, lies several high end oceanfront hotels, championship golf courses, upscale shopping at the Shops of Wailea all with 5 star dining blended with residential ease. This small but fabulous resort area is both polished and walkable, with a well-known oceanfront pathway called the ‘Wailea Beach Path’ that connects all the resorts, shopping and beaches. Several great snorkel spots can easily be found directly off shore with easy beach entry. Mornings are always best for ideal weather and low crowds. But be aware of limited county life guard towers and flags indicating warnings for swimmers. The scenery is beautiful but can be dangerous.
Things to do:
Wailea Beach, Ulua Beach and Polo Beach — reef-protected coves great for snorkeling and diving.
Walk the Wailea Beach Path, which links the resorts and beaches along the coast.
Golf at Wailea Golf Club's championship courses.
Browse The Shops at Wailea for boutiques, galleries, and dining.
Whale watching December–March and Molokini Crater snorkel tours available all year long.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Ko (Fairmont Kea Lani), Ka'ana Kitchen & Morimoto (Andaz Maui), Spago (Four Seasons), Gather on Maui; Tommy Bahama’s at The Shops at Wailea and Manoli's Pizza Company for something more casual.
Shop: The Shops at Wailea, Wailea Village, Wailea Town Center and Wailea Gateway Center.
Good to know: Many of Maui's best chefs are based right in Wailea — it's worth highlighting the dining scene, not just the beaches, when you're looking to buy in this area. This is the luxury-resort pick for buyers who want polish and walkability.
The area: Makena is a place on Maui that translates to "abundance" or "many gathered”. It’s a deeply significant region on the southwestern coast, historically known for a being the epicenter of traditional Hawaiian life, trade and folklore. Long before it became a destination for stunning beaches and ultra high end homes, Makena evolved through distinct historical eras that shaped its cultural identity. Sitting in Haleakalā's rain shadow, Makena stays sunny, dry and warm nearly year-round. With only one private resort - Makena Golf and Beach Club - it's also home to some of Maui's most recent lava flows, so the land here is rockier and wilder than most of Maui. Dominated by kiawe (mesquite), dry savanna-like grasses and prickly pear cactus rather than manicured lawns. That being said, multimillion-dollar homes line stretches of pristine shoreline, and it's the pick for ultra wealthy buyers prioritizing privacy and land over walkable amenities.
Makena (96753)
Things to do:
Makena State Park (Big Beach) — a wild two-thirds-mile stretch of golden sand with powerful shore break that makes it best for experienced bodysurfers and skimboarders rather than typical swimming.
Maluaka Beach ("Turtle Town") — reliable green sea turtle sightings and a launch point for kayak snorkel trips.
Makena Landing — a small, protected cove good for turtle spotting and calmer snorkeling.
Chang's Beach, near Makena Surf Resort — a quiet, less-crowded gem
ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve — clear water and rich marine life
La Perouse Bay — Maui's most recent lava flow, with tide pools and a coastal hiking trail
Best recommendations:
Good to know: There's intentionally no real commercial district here — dining and shopping mean a short drive back toward Wailea. This is the ultra high end estates/privacy pick on the South Side: bigger lots, wilder coastline and the least development of the three.
East Side:
Hana
Living on the east side of the island means red dirt roads, waterfalls in your backyard and a pace of life that finally lets you exhale. It's raw, lush and a little wild — the Maui most people only dream about.
Hana (96713)
The area: Welcome to Hāna—a place defined by lush tropical jungles, remote landscapes and a slow, intentional rhythm that feels worlds apart from the rest of Maui. This tight-knit community is made up of several small ‘towns’ that collectively make up the East Side: Ke’anae, Wailua & Nahiku & Kipahulu. Hana sits at the end of the legendary ‘Road to Hāna’, a breathtaking 64-mile journey from Kahului that takes you through rainforests and waterfalls, crossing over 50 historic one-lane bridges. Keep in mind that cell service is virtually non-existent past Twin Falls, returning only as you near the town of Hāna. This is not a destination to rush through; it is a place where the journey itself is the reward. Fun Fact: the East Side of Maui makes up the 2nd largest area on Maui, totaling around 170 square miles. Most properties out here are ‘off-grid’ or only accessible via 4×4 vehicle. With all of this, it’s clear this is a unique real estate market for those seeking absolute privacy and a true, old-Hawaii pace of life.
Things to do:
Keʻanae Peninsula (mile marker 16) — visit Auntie Sandy’s for the best banana bread; an abundance of taro fields are scattered about and a historic church that survived the 1946 tsunami.
Waiʻanapanapa State Park (mile marker 32) — black sand beach, sea caves and blowholes (reservations required, $5/person + $10/vehicle)
Hana Cultural Center & Museum for local history; Hāna Bay — calm, family-friendly black sand beach with snorkeling, picnic areas and a snack bar.
Kahanu Garden — home to the world's largest breadfruit collection and Piʻilanihale Heiau, a registered National Historic Landmark.
Pipiwai Trail (mile marker 42) — 4-mile hike through a bamboo forest to 400-foot Waimoku Falls. To access this, is technically inside Haleakala National Park so you have to pay to park.
Best recommendations:
Eat: Aunty Sandy's banana bread (Mon–Sat, until sold out — usually by noon), Braddah Hutts BBQ Grill, Thai Food by Pranee
Good to know: This is a locally used road, not just for tourists. People who live on the East side have to drive this road out daily for either work, make doctors appointments, shopping for supplies or drive out utility vehicles. Please .. if you have a utility or local vehicle directly behind you - Let Them Pass! Most likely they will ‘shaka beep’ to say ‘mahalo.’
Also if driving by yourself, fuel is only available in Paia and Hana along the entire drive, so plan accordingly. Leaving early a.m. to avoids massive crowds and get stuck behind the tour traffic. And for those that get ‘motion sick’ easily, take anti-nausea medication … or stay home.