Pa'ia Town

To many Pa'ia is just a jumping off point on the road to Hana. To paraphrase more than one guide we've read, "stop and have breakfast at Charley's in Pa'ia, pick up a few supplies and head off for Hana." If this is all you see of Pa'ia, then you're missing one of Maui's true treasures. Pa'ia (pronounced pah-ee-ah) started life as one of the many sugar plantation "towns" that dotted Maui in earlier times. Life was dominated by the Alexander and Baldwin sugar mill and the surrounding cane fields. After more than a century of operation the Mill closed in 2000, bringing to a close sugar's dominance of the community.

As sugars time passed other influences added to the unique flavor of the Pa'ia. Surfers came from all over the world to windsurf at nearby Ho'okipa beach and free spirits looking for a simpler, healthier lifestyle migrated to the area. Each group added their own essence to the spirit of the community.

Today Pa'ia is a mix of plantation town life, the needs of the health conscious lifestyle and the irreverent "hang loose" attitude of the surfer crowd. A mix, we dare say, you'll find nowhere else on the planet.

A wonderful blend of small shops and eateries make up the commercial area of Pa'ia. You'll find Hawaiian crafts, Indian imports, surf shops, juice bars and more, all on the same block. It's definitely an off the mall experience. To feel it for yourself you have to park your car and get out and walk around a bit. If you do you're bound to fall in love with the place.

Our favorite little shop in Pa'ia is Aloha Bead Company. It's makai (oceanside) just as you get into town from the Kahului side. You'll find beads, beads, beads and more beads. This place definitely leans towards the towns "free spirit" influence.

Pa'ia is a great place to stop as you start out on your Hana adventure, it's also a destination all it's own. Stop in, take a little time to look around, who knows what you'll find.