Easy and breezy living on the tropical shores of Maui
On the island of Maui, Paia residents live life like a never-ending honeymoon. Resting on a bend of the island's northern shoreline, Paia is one of Maui’s hippest towns and, especially on Maui, which is known for its serene, grassy slopes and peaceful atmosphere, the neighborhood's eclectic and trendy vibe stands out as a vibrant beacon for those looking for a fun spot to enjoy hanging out in on the island where time seems to stand still. Paia is also known as the birthplace of the island’s windsurfing passion, which began with one simple camp store in the 1890s catering to a multicultural mix of Paia Sugar Mill employees. Once known as the last stop on the epic “Road to Hana,” a 65-mile journey through rainforest and beachfront terrain, Paia is now the hotspot of Maui’s most laid-back and eclectic charm. Jordan Kamikawa, a local resident and Realtor with Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, says, “Paia is a historic town that has a fun, hippie-like vibe. There’s a delightful mix of restaurants, boutique shops and beaches to visit." Paia is also a "Great town to stop in before or after the trek to Hana, as it's one of the last ‘bigger’ towns before you head to East Maui,” says Kamikawa. Many young tourists and residents alike do just this, taking colorful photos around the quirky town, especially by the vibrant surfboard array at the Aloha Surf Hostel. With beaches right out the front door, a charming small town to enjoy and plenty of Aloha spirit, Paia is the place to be when looking for an island home that's just as bohemian as it is breathtaking.
Heading outdoors on Maui's northern coast
Locals and visitors find a wealth of recreation in Paia along the famed Hana Highway. Lined by natural, scenic beaches along Maui's northern coastline, Paia residents can head out to the water anytime they want. Stop by Ho’okipa Beach and bring a board or windsurfer to practice carving the waves and catching a breeze. This beach, known for its great surf and rocky shoreline, is also the birthplace of windsurfing and is renowned as the mecca for windsurfing on a professional level. For something more lowkey, residents can head over to Kaulahoa Beach on the Ku'au Bay where they'll find a more natural vibe. Considered one of Maui’s more secluded gems, locals can stroll along this uncrowded stretch of coarse sand to marvel at Hawaiian green sea turtles as they visit the land to lay eggs in a section reserved for their habitat. When looking for somewhere that's swimwear-optional, Paia Secret Beach is a bit more off the beaten path and is almost exclusively enjoyed by local Paia residents.
Diverse styles and price points for Hawaii homes
Because Paia is a low-rise community, many residents have open views of the sky, ocean or mountains from their homes in the neighborhood. While prices can vary dramatically depending on lot size, location and view, most homes here fall between beachfront estates with grand lawns that sell for nearly $6 million, renovated 1950s ranch-style homes just steps from the beach selling for around $3 million and beachy, 1930s Hawaiian farmhouse homes further inland for around $800,000 dollars. Homebuyers can also find oceanfront condos in Sugar Cove, where homes were mostly built in the '70s and feature broad flat roofs and muted, island-toned color palettes. Condos like these are extremely hard to come by, as owners relish the proximity to Maui Country Club’s fairways, tennis courts, swimming pool and dining.
Hawaii public schools close to home
Public school students can attend school in town at Pa'ia Elementary, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche and ranks at 8 out of 10 for academic progress on GreatSchools. Every May, the Pa'ia Elementary community holds a Pa’ia La ‘Ohana Day festival, sharing stories and songs honoring Hawaiian ancestors and celebrating their school family’s diverse cultures. Older students, meanwhile, head over to neighboring Makawao to find Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate and King Kekaulike High, which earned C-plus and B-plus ratings according to Niche.
Eclectic and quaint shopping and dining in Paia
Today, Paia’s bright wooden shops still reflect the early nineteenth-century charm with which they were built, and people worldwide come to enjoy its vintage character and tropical vibe. Dozens of quaint boutiques offer designer swimwear, art, jewelry and home décor. And, true to its international roots, residents will find an amazing mix of cuisine including Brazilian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and more. It’s a special place to discover artisan creations and a world of flavors during the day, as well as kick back with live jams at night.
Further along the coast, residents need a reservation to dine at the legendary Mama’s Fish House which opened in 1973 to offer fresh seafood at a time when most Maui eateries were steak-centric. Mama’s Fish House remains a treasured local landmark, treating diners to splendid ocean scenery and authentic Hawaiian and Polynesian fare. When cooking at home, residents can keep their kitchens stocked with local, organic and natural foods from Ku'au Store or Mana Foods. Kamikawa says, “One of the staples of Paia that really showcases the overall character of the area is Mana Foods, a natural foods grocery store, deli and bakery. Paia Fish Market is another gem, featuring fresh fish tacos, sandwiches, and fish and chips.” You can also travel 5 miles or so into Kahului for larger retailers such as Whole Foods, Safeway, CVS and Costco.
Windsurfing at Ho’okipa Beach
In the 1970s, decades after Paia’s sugar operation closed, a group of surfers discovered ideal wind conditions at Ho’okipa Beach, and the joy of windsurfing was born on Maui. Fueled by their innovation, these windsurfing originators ultimately sponsored the Maui Grand Prix — Maui’s first wave contest in windsurfing history. Since the '70s, many windsurfing pros honed their skills in Paia and have developed their own custom board lines.
Getting around the island of Maui
Although Paia residents have just about everything they need right in town, should they want to explore the island, Hana Highway (Hawaii State Highway 36) goes right through town and around most of Maui's eastern portions. To get to another island or travel abroad, residents can head to Kahului Airport just 7 miles down the road along Hana Highway; inter-islands can be found for as low as $40 dollars. In case of medical emergencies, residents can head about 20 miles south on Kula Highway to find Kaiser Permanente.
