Paia Guide

Paia Guide
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Address , Paia, HI
 
Paia is a former sugar plantation community located 4 miles north of Kahului Airport (OGG) on highway 36. It's a laid back small town in the the coastal country area enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. A place to spend a couple hours exploring the shops, or a grab a quick bite to eat on your way to Hana.

Features
• General: Educational • General: History

Guide Series: Hawaii City Guides
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Wailea Guide
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Kahului, Hawaii Guide

History

Paia was the home to several sugar plantations during the late 1800s. The first sugar mill was built in the 1870s during Maui’s sugar boom. The township of Paia was established in 1896 when stores and business sprung up in the area to support the plantation workers. The last sugar mill closed down in 2000. Read more about the Sugar in Hawaii.

Today, Paia is a mellow small community with about 2,700 residents. It’s located on Maui’s northern coast just off highway 36 on the Road To Hana. It’s a colorful town with rustic old buildings. Paia has a unique blend of surf shops, high-end boutique stores, restaurants, artisan galleries, and other tourist related businesses. It’s a laid back town where the lifestyle is slower than the bustling resort communities of Kaanapali or Wailea.

Beaches

Ho'okipa Beach Park / Ho'okipa Lookout is called the "windsurfing capital of the world."


The large north shore surf during the winter months create ideal conditions for kite surfing and wind surfers. The surf can be extremely dangerous for novice surfers, so know your skill level, and make sure to look for posted signs warning of dangerous conditions.


H.A. Baldwin Beach Park is a spacious open beach park with grassy areas and a protected lagoon. It’s enjoyed primarily by local families for an outing at the beach. It's a beautifully sloped sandy beach. Perfect beach to hang out in the water and relax to the rolling motion of the gentle waves.

Sprecklesville Beach is enjoyed by windsurfing enthusiasts, but kite surfing is not allowed because of it's close proximity to the airport. It's a bit noisy from the planes, but to windsurfing watermen who love the sport, no ones complaining.