When you take a trip to the beautiful shores of Maui, you want to experience as much of the local culture as possible. One of the best ways to take a piece of Maui back home with you is by shopping at one of the many local shops and boutiques, and the small town of Makawao will not disappoint. Let’s explore some of Makawao’s background along with the best places to shop in this rural hidden gem.

Makawao: Past to Present

Makawao, located on the northwest slope of Mount Haleakalā on Maui, is a historic town known for its deep roots in ranching and agriculture. Known as a hub for Upcountry Maui, Makawao was founded with heavy influence from many different cultures, including the Portuguese, East and Southeast Asians, Europeans, and of course, native Hawai’ians. Makawao now boasts a hip and trendy art scene while still maintaining its old world, rustic charm.

Notable Places to Shop in Makawao

There’s so much to do in Makawao, from shopping to dining to parks and more. Even if you’re just passing by on your way up or down the glorious Mount Haleakalā, you won’t be disappointed with the variety of activities available, as Makawao has become a haven for aspiring and established artists to show off their beautiful works. There’s something for everyone in Makawao! Here’s a few of our favorite places to shop while here:

1. Makai Glass Maui

If you’re looking for breathtaking handmade glass sculptures made with the “breath of aloha”, then Makai Glass Maui should be your first stop. The owners of this shop and gallery fell in love with the flow of the ocean, power of the volcanos, and depth of the culture here on the Valley Isle. They make one-of-a-kind pieces that embody the essence of Maui, with a special emphasis on the sea and how it brings both life and destruction.

2. Sherri Reeve Gallery

Sherri Reeve is a talented watercolor artist and clothing designer that moved to the Hawai’ian islands at the young age of six. Her family knew from the start that they had an aspiring artist on their hands and did everything they could to nurture her growing interest. After stints on the U.S. east coast and being featured in thousands of stores and national publications, Sherri moved back to Maui in 1989 to continue her craft. In 1997 she opened her own store and gallery in Makawao, and has spent every moment since doing what she loves and sharing that love with her friends, family, neighbors, and visitors. You’ll find unique, limited, and yet still affordable pieces at her shop, including prints, home decor, and clothing. Take the time to join in on one of her desirable art classes to kick off your own passion for art!

3. Jordanne Gallery and Studio

Jordanne Weinstein Perkins is the owner and artist at Jordanne Gallery and Studio, calling Makawao home for over 15 years now. Jordanne is a self-sustained artists hailing from Long Island, New York, and has sold over 14,000 paintings to date. Visit her gallery where she paints daily in an effort to capture the poetry of each moment, exploring different painting techniques and styles as she develops and hones her craft. Jordanne is known for finishing each work in one sitting, but may come back to it later if inspiration strikes. For paintings of diverse Hawai’ian landscapes, plantation homes, bouquet arrangements, and her signature gold-leaf pineapples, a stop at Jordanne’s is a must.

4. Hot Island Glass

Hot Island Glass is a Maui family business established in 1992 by Bill and Sally Worcester, glass artists of early American Studio Glass movement fame. They eventually passed the studio onto their nephew Chris Richards, who along with his friend Chris Lowry, worked together to make Hot Island Glass a casual, fun, and inspiring experience for visitors. They weren’t fans of the pushy sales tactics they saw in other studios, so they vowed to keep it cool by allowing patrons to enjoy a cup of coffee at their viewing bar while watching the artisans at work, blowing glass into awe-inspiring pieces that reflect the diversity of the islands. Chris Lowry left in 2020 to pursue glass artistry in Europe, so now Richards manages the establishment along with his assistants. In addition to their own works, Hot Island Glass also features pieces from other local artists, including Jupiter Nielsen, Summer Jean, Evan Jenkins, Mike Mortara, Jim Graper, Mike Worcester, Patrick Olson and ceramics by Hillary Richards.

5. Maui Hands – Makawao

A trip to Makawao wouldn’t be complete without stopping by Maui Hands, a curated art gallery that features over 300 of Hawai’is best artists and jewelers. While Maui Hands has locations all over Maui, the Makawao spot is something quite special. Here you’ll find fine art, prints, photography, woodwork, ceramics, blown glass, furniture, sculpture, linens, and a large selection of fine and casual jewelry, including the largest collection of Ni‘ihau shell lei on the island. Maui Hands has been recognized by multiple prestigious outlets, including Frommer’s, Lonely Planet, and Maui Revealed. They are also the recipients of the Hawai’i Magazine Reader’s Choice Award for the Best of Maui in several categories and the Maui Times’ Best of Maui Reader Poll in several categories, both over multiple years.

Shop, Dine, and Explore All of Maui

There’s so much to do and see in Makawao, there’s no way we could include it all in one post and do everyone justice. These are just a few of the amazing shops and galleries you’ll find in Makawao, but there is much, much more to explore! On your next trip to the Valley Isle, take a day to wander through the vibrant community of Makawao. You may even choose to visit Makawao as you climb or descend the majestic Mount Haleakalā on a guided bike tour by Mountain Riders. We’re Maui’s #1 visitor attraction for a reason, giving visitors a chance to see so much of the glorious wildlife and scenery Maui has to offer, up close and personal. Join us for our iconic Haleakalā sunrise bike tour, where you’ll summit the great volcano just in time to enjoy the stunning sunrise over the clouds. We also offer daytime tours and even self-guided options for the more experienced bikers. For more information or to book your guided bike tour, call Mountain Riders at 808-877-4944 or visit our website.