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exploring
Planning Your Trip
Free & Affordable Things To Do
OGG, the airport
Iao Valley, the spiritual center
Wailuku, old Maui
Kahului, the shopping center
Paia, windsurfing capitol
Hana, the last Hawaiian place


Lahaina, sin city 1860
Maalaea, ocean center
Kihei, condos, malls, beaches
Wailea, big hotels
Haleakala Crater
Upcountry. cowboys, shopping


Makawao

Once a cowboy town, where the paniolos rode their horses up the steps into the Rodeo Bar, Makawao is now the center of a lively Upcountry culture. Excellent shops, galleries and restaurants atttract folks from all over the island and from as far away as Honolulu to get that casual, Upcountry look.

upcountry maui map

Baldwin Avenue


shower trees

Watch for these rainbow shower trees as you drive up Baldwin Avenue. They're spectacular!

Holy Rosary

Also on the way up, the Holy Rosary church has a memorial to Father Damien, known for his work with lepers in Hawaii.

Hui Noeau

 

Coming up Baldwin Avenue from Paia, about a mile before Makawao, you can drive under a rainbow to visit the Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center Shop.


Hui Noeau

Local artists and craftsmen have filled the shop with one-of-a-kind paintings, prints, sculpture, jewelry, cards, even toys at reasonable prices. While you're there enjoy the Baldwin Mansion and whatever is showing in the galleries.
• Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center

Viewpoints Gallery

 

Viewpoints Gallery

Developed by local artists as a showcase for their work, the Viewpoints Gallery shows a wide selection of island art. The shows change frequently. You may find one of the artists hanging out and willing to talk about their work and the island art scene.
• Viewpoints Gallery

 

 Kitada's Kau Kau Korner


Kitada's

Locals love the plate lunch at Kitada's Kau Kau Korner. So much that you'll have trouble getting in for a taste of the spare ribs with the traditional two scoops rice, macaroni salad and salt cabbage. The prices are way low. Come any time from 6:00 a.m. a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 3617 Baldwin Ave. 572-7241

Komoda's


Komoda's

Better get there early if you want any of the cream buns at Komoda's. Upcountry Mauians line up to pass through these doors and pick up a dozen sugar glazed doughnuts or a cake to take home or to work. That's why Komoda's was voted best bakery by Maui News readers against some stiff competition.

 

Rodeo General Store


The Rodeo General Store has everything you need for that picnic you're going on or the feast you're planning...including an excellent deli & wine selection. Good place for a snack.

 Rodeo General Store



Casanova Italian Restaurant and Deli

 

Sit on the porch and watch the crowd go by as you enjoy some of Casanova's delicious Italian deli with a cappuccino. The polenta pizza is so tasty. Come back in the evening for an excellent dinner inside. The chef does dishes like tagliatelle with lemon cream sauce blanketed with smoked salmon. The pizzas are cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven.


Casanova


And the night goes on with live entertainment. You'll find Caesar salad, baked eggplant marinara, salmon-stuffed ravioli, fresh catch-of-the-day and filet mignon. Voted "Best Italian restaurant on Maui" by Maui News readers. ()pen Monday through Saturday, serving lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., anti dinner from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. 1188 Makawao Ave. 572-0220

• Casanova Italian Restaurant and Deli

Upcountry

Another change of face and pace, upcountry Maui reminds some people of Wyoming, others of Big Sur. Cool, green pastures with cows, horses, 4 wheel drive vehicles, cowboys and pine forests. The jacaranda that bloom along the highway all summer frame huge views of the ocean and the West Maui mountains. Sunsets that will make you cry. Upcountry is home to 17,000 residents who find the cool climate just about perfection.

Kula Botanical Garden

 
The Kula Botanical Garden has over 700 tropical plants on display with useful tags to let you know what you're looking at. You'll be surprised at how many you'll spot again and again as you drive around the island.

Kula Botanical Garden
Clara Mae stops to smell the kahili ginger as Imogene and Mary watch.

Kula Lodge


Kula Lodge

Escape the crowds and hang out in the eucalyptus and pines, surrounded by flower farms. Your chalet has a magnificent view across Maui and you can watch a sunset as you dine at the Lodge restaurant. You can also check out some fine upcountry art at the Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery.
• Kula Lodge

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Church of the Holy Ghost


Holy Ghost


The elaborate altar in this unusual octagonal church was shipped in sections around Cape Horn when it was built in 1897. The altar was a gift to the Portuguese workers from the King and Queen of Portugal.


Holy Ghost 2

Polipoli Springs Park

 

Driving the rutted road to this park can be a challenge. But there's an amazing experience waiting for you on the 3 mile trail around the park. The whole thing was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's to see what trees would work on Maui. Dark Sugi pine forests open into meadows, plum orchards and even a stand of redwoods. Interesting caves and cinder cones to be climbed and spectacular views out over the ocean. There is a small cabin you can reserve through the State Parks office (243-5354) and a campground. Magical place.

Dr. Sun Yat Sen


Dr. Sun Yat Sen


Years ago there was a flourishing Chinese community in Keokea. You can find remnants and restorations of their temples if you know where to look. For a time Dr. Sun Yat Sen, a Chinese revolutionary who helped overthrow the Ching dynasty. lived on Maui. This statue, on the road to Ulupalakua, is witness to his presence.


Grandma's Coffee House

 
Grandma's Coffee House

They roast their own, home-grown coffee at Grandma's Coffee House where Alfred Franco carries on the traditions Grandma taught him. Stop by for a cup and a cinnamon roll or muffin on your way to Tedeschi Winery. Lunch turns up Portuguese bean soup, chili and rice, avocado sandwiches, maybe even chicken curry or baked salmon. Keokea 878-2140
•Grandma's Coffee House

Ulupalakua Ranch & Store


Used to belong to the legendary sea captain, James Makee, now run as a cattle ranch by the Erdman family.
Ulupalakua Ranch

Some upscale cowboy gear offered here as well as a delicatessen with elkburgers and elk pat'e.

On the porch, Jim visits with a wooden friend. There are more of these carved figures nearby but you can't get much conversation out of them.
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Tedeschi Vineyards Tasting Room

 
Tedeschi Vineyards

Rancher Pardee Erdman and winemaker Emil Tedeschi joined resources to plant vineyards of Carnelian grapes and give Maui its first commercial wine. The tasting room offers samples of this and other fruit wines, plus a neat historical exhibit of ranch activities.
• Tedeschi Vineyards Tasting Room

Tedeschi Vineyards 2



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