Average annual temperature: 64-74
Average annual rainfall: 34 inches
Elevation: 1,500 to 4,000 feet
Population: Approx. 8,000
The word Kula means, open field or country in Hawaiian and this rural community lives up to its name. It is spread out along two parallel highways and extends many miles. Kula is a combination of agricultural, rural and residential. There are no major shopping areas or business centers. For the residents, the peaceful beauty of the area outweighs lack of proximity to some downtown services. There are, however, some charming country shops like Morihara Store and Chings for groceries and Kula Hardware for garden supplies, plants and hardware, several restaurants such as Kula Bistro and Grandma?s for fabulous coffee and pastry. The Kula Lodge has a restaurant and an art gallery as well.
Schools include the private Haleakala Waldorf School and public Kula Elementary and there are several wonderful old churches including Holy Ghost - where the Portuguese parishioners bake renowned sweet bread - a community center, a post office and new firehouse. Further up Kula Highway is the former Kula Sanitarium, now a hospital. It stands on beautiful grounds with an incredible view of the Kihei/Wailea area and the island of Kahoolawe. It also houses one of the best thrift shops on the island! Kula is the gateway to the higher elevations of Mt. Haleakala where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, horseback riding and even hang gliding. Residents and visitors alike are treated to spectacular views of the central Maui valley and the West Maui Mountains from almost every vantage point in Kula.
Kula is quiet and cool, with open spaces and beautiful views. The pineapple fields reach up the mountain to this area, where there is also an abundance of local farms growing a variety of crops. The rich soil, some of the richest in the entire state, is perfect for Protea (flowers), lavender, the world-famous Kula onions, cabbage and many other vegetables. Island chefs depend on Kula farmers for much of their produce. Tedeschi Vineyards located south of Kula in Ulupalakua produces several grape products along with its well-known pineapple wine called Maui Blanc. Ulupalakua Ranch, incidentally, covers approximately 25,000 acres from the far reaches of Kula all the way down to the ocean and is a working ranch now raising, along with sheep and cattle, such exotic livestock as elk. If you are interested in Kula homes for sale, call us, we'd love to help!
Average annual temperature: 70-75
Average annual rainfall: 22 inches
Elevation: 1,300 feet
Pop. (Makawao/Pukalani): Approx. 19,000
Pukalani is a residential community five miles up the mountain from the base of Haleakala Highway. Although very close in proximity to Makawao, it receives much less rainfall because it is much more leeward than its neighbor, Makawao. The name Pukalani literally means, hole in the heavens. The clouds that form on the mountain above and the clouds that move in from the east converge just above and below the community, leaving Pukalani sunny almost all the time and able to retain expansive views of the entire Central Valley and the West Maui Mountains. Services for Pukalani and other upcountry residents focus around Pukalani Terrace Center, comprised of a large Foodland supermarket, hardware store, post office station, several banks, a number of restaurants. Across the street are the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center (named for a former Mayor of Maui County), the Pukalani Aquatic Center, and playing fields, and nearby is the Pukalani Country Club with its 18-hole golf course and restaurant. Just up the hill is the famous Pukalani Superette, aka "Puk Sup" famous for its chow fun and bento style lunches.
Average annual temperature: 68
Average annual rainfall: 58 inches
Elevation: 1,200 to 4,000 feet
Pop. (Makawao/Pukalani): Approx. 19,000
Makawao is an old paniolo town that has maintained its small size, charm and accessibility. Paniolo are Hawaiian cowboys brought over from Spain and Portugal to teach cattle ranching to the Islanders. The Makawao climate and large open fields on the slopes of Mt. Haleakala are perfect for cattle ranching. Portuguese homesteaders originally settled this area, which includes Olinda above the town center of Makawao. Descendants of many of the original families live here to this day. Cattle and horses are still a large part of this upcountry town and surrounding area and celebrated with an annual July 4th parade and the largest rodeo in the State. The mostly refurbished old buildings now house a variety of wonderful art galleries, shops and restaurants, the majority of which are within easy walking distance of each other.
Makawao is also a center for the practice of alternative medicine. Set amid green space and residential areas are the post office, library and Hongwanji Mission. On the way to Pukalani on Makawao Avenue is the Eddie Tam Memorial Center, which houses a police substation and gym and overlooks a basketball court and a number of playing fields. Makawao schools include an elementary school and an intermediate school, as well as one of Hawaii's most exclusive private schools, Seabury Hall. Just outside of town on the road to Paia is a Montessori school and, on a former Baldwin estate known as Kaluanui, the Hui Noeau Visual Arts center hosts art workshops and classes and houses an art gallery.
Makawao residents enjoy a semi-rural way of life. There is plenty of open space within neighborhoods and nights are quiet and peaceful. For those who crave some nightlife, Casanova Restaurant right in the middle of town offers live music and dancing almost every night of the week as well as a full Italian dinner menu.
Many of Maui's finest schools are located Upcountry Maui: Maui Schools
This property is listed by NextHome Pacific Properties
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This property is listed by Green Realty Group
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This property is listed by Kanani Realty LLC
Patricia Chaney
Realtor-Broker
Cell:(808) 280-2625
Patty@PattyChaney.com
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