Pā‘ia: Maui’s Coolest Little Town

Welcome to the "coolest little town" on Maui!

Located on the northern coast of the island, Pā‘ia is filled with so much color and so much history that it's ready to burst at the seams. It's an old plantation town turned beach town, and at the end of Hāna Highway, this is as chill as it gets.

Surf bums, tourists, locals and hippies frequent through the vibrant vintage boutiques and quaint art galleries that paint the town. It's also become quite the place for the free-spirited folk or any folk, for that matter, who enjoy arts, music and culture.

Not many realize, however, just how old this place is. Pā‘ia's over a century old! It all started in the 1800s – with the Pā‘ia Sugar Mill and then the Pā‘ia Store, which supported the plantation workers. Back then, it was a mixed pot of different cultures and races. In fact, immigrants from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines and Puerto Rico ended up living together and without realizing it, helped write the history of Pā‘ia.

A history which also includes the sport of windsurfing. Because the town's near many famous windsurfing spots, including Ho‘okipa and Spreckelsville, it's also become the windsurfing capital of the world. During the 80s and 90s, an influx of windsurf enthusiasts discovered this mecca. Most of them never left, choosing to make Pā‘ia a home away from home.

PĀ‘IA, MAUI / About 4 miles into your drive to Hāna from Kahului (Map)

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: Maui

February 10th, 2013