Maui Information - Communities

Pa'ia Town

About 10 minutes east of Kahului lies the charming surf town of Pa'ia. This town, which was once a booming sugar town, has in recent years given way to windsurf shops, boutiques and eateries.

In the 19th century, when Paia was the main gateway for all sugar production on East Maui, Paia served as an important and large company town, with clusters of houses called camps stretching up Baldwin Avenue. As Kahului grew in importance in the 1950's, Paia's population waned. It remained a sleepy town until the early 1970's when Paia felt a new surge of growth as paradise seeking hippies made the town their home. By the 1980's windsurfers worldwide were using Paia as a base for their windsurfing expeditions.

Today, vegan restaurants and high tech windsurf shops stand next door to ma-and-pa grocery stores that have served the community since plantation days. Paia is also home to Maui's oldest private golf course, the Maui Country Club, and in recent years luxury houses have been built surrounding the course and along the coastline.

Paia Real Estate

Although they are distinctly different areas, many folks link Spreckelsville and Kuau with Paia since they border Paia on either side. As with most of Maui, each area does have its unique flair. Paia is often affectionately called “The Hippie Town”. Its quaint and colorful storefronts, natural / health food store, “Mana Foods”, and close proximity to beautiful yet often windy Baldwin Beach and Hoo’kipa Beach, the windsurfing capitol of the world, make Paia a fun attraction, drawing a large variety of tourists and local residents as well.

Spreckelsville is home to Baby Beach, named because of the reef off shore that breaks the waves and makes it a very family and child friendly beach, as well as the Maui Country Club. Homes in this more prestigious area and in such close proximity to the ocean usually have a price tag of somewhere between $1 - $3 million dollars.

Paia and Kuau have numerous older neighborhoods constructed as homes for mill workers yet new development has crept into the area sometimes over-taxing the infrastructure (roads, etc.) during peak travel times. And, because of its oceanfront location, you will find on the most unassuming street a multi-million dollar gated getaway tucked away waiting to whisk its owners cares away with the white sand, turquoise sea and shimmering sun of the beautiful North Shore.

Paia Weather

Like the rest of Maui, the weather in Paia is some of the best to be found worldwide. The average daily temperature is about 82 degrees in summer and during winter averages 74 degrees. Paia receives its fair share of the trade winds, a breeze that blows in the from the northeast at about 10-15 miles per hour, hence its importance to wind sports.

Beaches

Baldwin Beach

Located between Spreckelsville and Paia this beach is a haven for dog lovers. This long, white-sand beach ends in a very special "baby beach", protected by a coral reef that creates a natural lagoon. Morning walks are sublime, with many local folks walking or jogging, often with their dogs, along the pristine beach. Winds can pick up in the afternoon. Currents can be quite strong and waves large, making this a popular beach for experienced body and boogie board surfers. When the waves are large enough, surfers can also be seen from shore. A large covered picnic area, restrooms and barbecue pits make this a local favorite for family parties.

Ho'okipa Beach Park (technically in Haiku)

Since the early 1980's Ho'okipa has been known for world-class windsurfing. Two major competitions take place here every year. It is also a renowned surfing spot. Not usually recommended for swimming, due to the high waves and strong currents, this beach makes an excellent stop along the Hana Highway to watch the professional wind surfers and surfers ride the waves.

Paia Schools and Churches

Paia Schools

Preschools (Public and Private)

Doris Todd Memorial Christian Baptist (Ages 3-6) - Paia

Address: 519 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779-0967

Ph: (808)579-8334

 

Public Elementary Schools (Grades K-5)

Paia Elementary - Paia

Address: 955 Baldwin Avenue, Paia, HI 96779

Ph: (808) 579-2100, (808) 579-8261

 

Private Schools (K-12)

Doris Todd Memorial Christian Baptist (Pre K-8) - Paia

Address: 519 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779-0967

Ph: (808)579-9237

 

Paia Churches

 

Buddhist

Mantokuji Mission of Paia - Paia

Address: Paia, Maui HI  96779

Ph: (808) 579-8051

Maui Dharma Center - Paia

Address: 9 Hikinia Place, Paia, Maui HI  96779

Ph: (808) 579-8076

Rinzai Zen Mission - Paia

Address: 10 Alawai Rd., Paia, Maui HI  96779

Ph: (808) 579-9921

 

Catholic

Holy Rosary Catholic Church - Paia

Address: 954 Baldwin Ave., Paia, Maui HI  96779

Ph: (808) 579-9551

 

Congregational

Paia Hawaiian Protestant Church - Paia

Address: 246 Hana Hwy., Paia, Maui HI  96779

Ph: (808) 579-8900

 

Inter-denominational & Non-Denomination

Paipala Church of Paia - Paia

Address: 519 Baldwin Ave., Paia, HI 96779

Ph: (808) 579-6217

 

Katrina Pitman Real Estate

P.O. Box 1733, Makawao, Maui, HI  96768

Phone:  (808) 298-6938

Email: Katrina@KatrinaPitmanRealEstate.com

Credits: Photo of Hawaiian Torch Lighting Ceremony by Kristin Fein of Fein Art Photography: (808) 281-1302

 

© 2007 Katrina Pitman Consulting Services