Top 10 Things to Do in Paia & Haiku

For those who will be traveling with small children, you can walk to the far left of the main parking lot to the west end of the beach, a spot known as “Baby Beach.” It’s sheltered by a barrier reef wall, which provides a calm cover for swimming, playing in the sand, and having a nice, quiet family picnic. You can also drive directly to Baby Beach through a residential entrance in Spreckelsville.

“The Cove” is to the far right of the parking lot. It’s an area frequented by cool Maui folks, yogis, families with kids, and sometimes fire dancers and DJs. It’s a great place to swim in the ocean and sunbathe too.

Depending on the time of year, the central areas of Baldwin are perfect for body-boarding, swimming, and hunting for some seashells. Baldwin Beach Park offers a host of convenient amenities, including a large parking lot, a soccer field, public restrooms and showers, BBQ grills and picnic tables, a large covered pavilion, and a lifeguard stand (on duty from 8 am to 4 pm daily). Please make sure that you heed all ocean warning signs and postings.

Once the Counterculture Movement of the 1960s had reached its height and the Summer of Love had left San Francisco, there’s no doubt that some of the real-deal hippies set sail for Maui, creating new businesses and adding their own flair. Paia Town became influenced by a whole new wave of artsy, educated, and conscious types.

With the booming local surf culture and the wave of windsurfing migrants during the 1980s, Paia was thriving. It became a secret gem for fun-loving people from all over the world who were looking to kick back and enjoy their lives to the fullest!

Today, Paia Town is still the backseat heartbeat of Maui County. This one-stoplight town might be responsible for all of the unforeseen trends that can be seen at any time throughout the Hawaiian Islands. We love Paia Town so much!

Here, you’ll find surf shops and galleries, yoga studios, one-of-a-kind boutiques, tattoo shops, coffee shops, and restaurants. There is also the cutest health food store in the world, Mana Foods. Paia is the embodiment of Hawaii’s small-town charm. Next time you’re on the island, do not miss out on the chance to visit Paia, Maui’s secret crown jewel.

The Paia Stupa is a unique and special landmark found in Paia Town on Maui’s North Shore. It’s beautifully decorated inside and out, and is a true symbol of love and peace.

It is quite large in stature at 27 feet high, and has a large Mani prayer wheel inside. It is a direct symbol of the Buddha’s teachings, has gorgeously painted murals inside and is decorated with gold leaf details. Visitors are welcome to stop by at any time between the hours of 6:30 am and 6:30 pm to visit, take photos and turn the Mani prayer wheel.

The Maui Dharma Center practices Tibetan Buddhism in the Karma Kagyu and the Shanga Kagyu Vajrayana traditions. All guests are welcome to join the Center’s daily, weekly, and monthly prayers, meditation programs, and Dharma talks. The Center is open every day for morning and evening prayers. They offer a Sunday service and special events that follow the Lunar Calendar, held both monthly and annually. They include Tsok Food Offerings, Fire Pujas (rituals), Tibetan New Year retreats, and holiday events for Buddhist celebrations.

The La’akea Village can be found on Baldwin Avenue, just a few minutes up the hill from Paia Town. This farm community not only offers farmers markets that are open to the public but also volunteer-for-a-day opportunities for both Maui residents and visitors.

Programs provided at La’akea include farming, economic venture education, and the arts. There are also activities that support daily living for disabled children. This nonprofit was inspired by the Camphill Villages Mode. La’akea is an international movement designed to meet the needs of those with developmental disabilities through the arts, community, and farm-based programs. It offers a place for resident and non-resident care and they are continually expanding its programs.

The La’akea Farm Stand is the result of much hard work by residents, staff, and local volunteers. It is a beautiful hidden gem on Maui’s North Shore and a great local nonprofit to support.

The La’akea Country Store is open weekly (check the hours on their website). Here, both guests and residents can find locally grown fruits and vegetables and handmade arts and crafts. Their farm has also received USDA Organic Certification.

It is a top-rated Maui beach for water sports. You will see everyone and their mother surfing here! The middle part of the beach is a great place to lay out and have a picnic, and children can easily play in the tide pools. During the summer, Ho’okipa is the ideal place for beginner surfers (with some experience) and those seeking a place for one-on-one surf instruction. If you visit during the winter months, make sure to look out towards the horizon, and you may see a pod of Humpback Whales.

During the winter, Ho’okipa becomes a competitive melting pot of local, professional, and international water athletes. If you are going to Ho’okipa to surf, make sure to mind your manners! Ho’okipa means “hospitality” in the ancient Hawaiian language. That is what you can experience from the Ho’okipa community, as long as you respect the land, ocean, and people. Ho’okipa Beach Park has many great amenities, including picnic tables and BBQ grills, covered pavilions, public restrooms, and outdoor showers. There are also two lifeguard stands, on duty from 8 am to 4 pm daily.

Please heed all of the ocean warning signs and postings. Enjoy Ho’okipa to the fullest. It’s one of the most famous beaches in the whole world!

At the Temple of Peace, guests can book various treatments. These include detoxification cleanses, colon hydrotherapy, and other healing sessions. The Aqualani Day Spa is outfitted with a hot tub and herbal steam rooms. Throughout the week, guests can also find various events and workshops led by local and world-renowned practitioners, teachers, and presenters.

Every Sunday, the Temple of Peace offers a “Heart Song Celebration” open to the public. All are welcome to join in song with this interfaith spiritual community.

While visiting the Haiku Marketplace, make sure to grab a coffee at Colleen’s at the Cannery or plan to have dinner at NUKA, Maui’s premiere sushi spot. Fukushima’s store might have the best fresh Ahi poke and hot dogs on the whole island. The Haiku Grocery Store always has everything you need, including fresh local produce and a great selection of beers and wines. Book a massage at Three Treasures, and make sure to check out Maui Kombucha. It is the place to be if you’re a kombucha lover and are craving some delicious raw food.

Back in the day, the Pauwela Cannery was a working pineapple cannery. Now, it consists of manufacturing warehouses, surfboard shapers, art galleries, artist studios, and carpentry workshops. There is also the Baked On Maui Cafe, an ACE hardware store, and much more. Make sure to visit Maui’s Dakine outlet store, and grab some organic snacks at the Pauwela Store.

This is a great place to check out if you’re venturing through Haiku and want to grab a coffee or a to-go lunch, order a surfboard, or pick up some small gifts. Here you will soon find yourself immersed in Maui’s Haiku community. You’ll indeed find some great Maui people-watching moments and the perfect glimpse into the Haiku lifestyle.

Today, the Sacred Garden of Maliko still has much to offer to the Maui community and visitors. Although this Maui locale is “spiritual,” it is non-denominational and is open to those of all religious beliefs. You will see little keepsakes and collectibles throughout the grounds that embrace all types of beliefs, including those of Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Druidry, and many more.

While they are on the property, guests can spend time in the gardens and explore two full-scale walking labyrinths. There is an outdoor 11-circuit Chartres Cathedral Style Labyrinth and an indoor 7-circuit Universal Labyrinth (with a sweet little message in the center).

The guidelines for walking the labyrinths are to “walk with an open heart and an open mind.” The Sacred Garden also offers a Full Moon Labyrinth Walk, open to the public each month.

In addition to the labyrinths, the Sacred Garden has an indoor nursery and meditation gardens. There is also a “Mother Shrine” dedicated to all things feminine, some picnic and sitting areas, and a magical little boutique.

Head to their website to find a full calendar of events. These include Labyrinth walks, aromatherapy and essential oil classes, energy medicine classes, and much more.

The Sacred Garden of Maliko is operated by the Divine Nature Alliance, a 501(c)(3) public, nonprofit organization. Visits are free to the public, but they will accept donations.

The mission of this 501(c)(3) Maui nonprofit organization is to “unlock creativity through exceptional visual arts education and to enhance this endeavor through the preservation of the historical Kaluanui Estate.”

Founded in 1934 by Ethel Baldwin, the Hui is composed of a historic estate, housing structures, working artist studios, and exhibition and gallery spaces. There are also some classrooms, outdoor art installations, and gorgeously landscaped grounds. “The Hui No’eau aims to ensure access to the arts is a part of everyday life on Maui.” (www.huinoeau.com)

At the Hui, guests are encouraged to embrace their creative sides. If you plan ahead of time, you can easily enroll in art classes for adults or kids while you’re on vacation. You can also check out one of their art shows at the gallery.

The Gallery Shop at the Hui No’eau is a great place to pick up some greeting cards, art prints, souvenirs, jewelry, and locally made art pieces. It is truly a great part of their business to support because all of the proceeds benefit their exhibitions and educational programs. Throughout the year, the Hui also offers a beautiful selection of on-site events such as the Art Affair, Maui Open Studios, some food and wine events, and a host of programs with world-renowned guest speakers.

When planning a trip to Maui’s North Shore, there is such a wide array of groups, businesses, and communities to explore. You will not find anything quite like the Hui No’eau throughout the rest of the Hawaiian Islands. It is truly a one-of-a-kind art organization.