There are so many places to visit while you’re in Maui, but you won’t want to miss Pa’ia. While it may seem like an unassuming, one-traffic light town along the Road to Hana, Pa’ia is actually steeped in deep Hawai’ian culture and a must-see for anyone who wants a glimpse of one of the few places left on the island with those “old school” vibes. So what can you expect if you stop by for a visit to Pa’ia? Let’s talk about what makes this quaint little town so special.

A Sweet History

Pa’ia got its start as a plantation town, established by Alexander and Baldwin as Pa’ia Plantation back in the late 1800’s as a sugar cane farming operation. This type of work brought in immigrant labor from all over the globe with the promise of good paychecks and beautiful Maui weather. At its peak, Pa’ia was home to over 20% of Maui’s entire population and considered a bustling social hub of the island. Fire destroyed a large portion of the town in the 1930’s, and it was struck again in the 1940’s by a devastating tsunami. However, both times, the town was quickly rebuilt by the determined residents. Unfortunately, Pa’ia lost most of its residents in the 1950’s to the nearby towns of Kahului and Wailuku, where pushes for progress brought more opportunity for a growing Maui population.

The 1960’s and 1970’s brought a resurgence of residents as the hippie culture settled right into Pa’ia’s laid-back beach lifestyle, claiming the town as their unofficial capitol. Then again in the 1980s and 1990s, Pa’ia became the place to be for windsurfers, bringing in a group of new watersport-loving residents. All the while, Pa’ia has maintained its old-school charm and charisma.

With the closing of the sugar mill in 2000, Pa’ia saw the end of the era that started the town. But tourists are finding themselves more and more intrigued with this tiny town, as many choose to spend time here instead of just passing by on their way to Hana.

One of Hawai’i’s Coolest Small Towns

The shops, boutiques, and stores that line Pa’ia’s half-mile development boast incredible variety that would make larger towns jealous. You’ll find the iconic Mana Foods store, one of the best and cheapest natural foods stores on the island. Just a short walk away you can browse surf shops, a saloon, coffee shops, art galleries, a yoga studio, ice cream parlors, a wine store, jewelry, gifts, clothing, alternative medicine, consignment and thrift stores…the list just goes on and on. There aren’t many other places where you can find so much diversity packed into such a small area.

A Hawai’ian-Bohemian Mashup

So what inspires so many people to not just visit Pa’ia, but also decide to stay? It’s got to be the eclectic, Bohemian-Hippie vibe that makes anyone who steps into town feel immediately welcome. While Pa’ia has always been a fun and vibrant area of the island, it was the influx of hippies in the 60s and 70s that really solidified the town as a relaxed and carefree mecca. Without the rapid development some of the other parts of Maui have seen, this little slice of paradise still offers traditional Hawai’ian values where everyone is e komo mai.

A Worthy Stop Along the Road to Hana

Most visitors to Maui have only heard of Pa’ia because it is a stop on the popular Road to Hana. While we would never discourage any visitor from taking the beautiful, scenic trip to Hana, Pa’ia really deserves more time than it takes to fill up the gas tank. This town is a treasure-trove of things to see and do, from sports to shopping to great food and more. If you have the time, take a few hours (or a whole day) to explore Pa’ia. You can even stay overnight at one of the town’s breathtaking inns, bed & breakfasts, or hostels…you definitely won’t regret it!

Explore All of Maui’s Wonders

Maui is an amazing piece of heaven on Earth, with so many wonders to explore that it would take someone years to really see everything the island has to offer. Drive down the Road to Hana, stop in historical and cultural hubs like Pa’ia, relax on one of the many pristine beaches, and above all, don’t miss the spectacular sunrise on majestic Mount Haleakalā. Poised over 10,000 ft above sea level, you’ll get a view that most people can only dream about. For the best Haleakalā sunrise experience, Mountain Riders of Maui offers Haleakalā Sunrise bike tours. Designed for experienced bikers, our guided and self-guided bike tours give you an up close and intimate view of Maui’s wildlife, landscapes, and culture. To schedule your Haleakalā Sunrise Bike Tour, or any of our bike tours, give us a call at 808-877-4944, email info@mountainriders.com, or send us a message online.