The "North Shore" of Maui includes the small towns of Paia, Haiku and Pauwela. Maui's "North Shore" is located south-east of Kahului and the airport, midway between Hana and Wailea and Kaanapali. There are many great beaches within walking distance of Paia. The lifestyle is laid back and centers around outdoor activities.
Kuau Cove is located between Paia and Hookipa (about 1 mile outside Paia). This is an excellent windsurfing location. The water is warm, the views are beautiful, and the sun shines almost every day. In the summer the wind blows 15-25 knots and the rest of the year still offers pretty good sailing. Winter brings the big surf, with the occasional set of double mast-high waves rolling in.
This is one of the World's most popular windsurfing areas. At world famous Ho'okipa Beach Park, surfers, windsurfers, bodyboarders, and swimmers come to spend the day in this beautiful spot. The waves here can reach up to 30 feet high in the winter months.
100 years ago Paia was the heart of Maui's sugarcane industry. Sugar was an important crop to thousands of people who depended on it for a living. There was a train to carry raw sugar and passengers to Kahului harbor and Wailuku.
Haiku is only 25 minutes from the airport, and less than 10 minutes from famous world class windsurfing beaches. Haiku is also located near waterfalls and tropical jungles. Recreational activities include surfing, windsurfing, diving, swimming, hiking, biking, horseback riding, shopping, and more!
Today, Paia is hustling and bustling with a different kind of energy. Since the old sugarmill shut down in 2000 (one of the last few in the state), the economy has turned to tourism, windsurfing and surfing.