Upcountry Ramble
Funky town with lots of shops and eateries. A good spot to visit for local art and crafts is Maui Crafts Guild (69 Hana Highway). Glass beads, kimonos, baskets, jewelry, pottery, ceramics, wall hangings, handmade paper, and more overflow from this artists cooperative (housed in a plantation-style building), with many items going for less than $20, 808/579-9697.
Go up Baldwin Avenue to...
In an old estate. Ceramics, paintings, textiles, and more. Nominal donation requested.
Continue up Baldwin Avenue to...
A cowboy town with loads of shops and restaurants. Be sure to visit the shop featuring artwork by Sherry Reeve Gallery and Gifts (3669 Baldwin Avenue). There are several fine art galleries: Viewpoints Gallery, Maui Hands, and Hot Island Glass.
Drive north (left) on Makawao Avenue and mauka (right) on Piiholo Road to..
Olinda
A wonderful upcountry estates on windy roads. Return via Olinda Road. At the Rodeo Grounds, turn left at Hanamu Rd. to connect with Haleakala Highway (337) and drive mauka (uphill) to...
Kula
Stop at the Kula Lodge. The restaurant, at 3200 feet elevation, is one of our favorite spots with its fabulous view, gardens, Curtis Wilson Cost Gallery, and Kula Marketplace.
There are four gardens in Upcountry that are open to the public...
An eight-acre garden across from Mile Marker 10 on Kula Highway (878-2531) costs $5, and is open from 9 to 5 every day. You can walk for an half-hour through an extensive garden with a wide variety of tropical flowers and plants.
(638 Kekaulike Avenue, 878-1715) costs $7.50 and is open 9 to 4. It will take an hour or two to meander through the grounds.
(Haleakala Highway, 878-2119) is free and always open (though the gift shop closes at 4). It has a 10-minute walk through a well-maintained but small garden of beautiful varieties of protea flowers.
(893-0388) off of Waipoli Drive is a must visit. Visit their gift shop or sit on their lanai and sip soothingly delicious lavender tea or lemonade. They offer a Lavender Garden Culinary Tour (from $50) and a Lavender Garden Tea Tour (from $25).
Continue west at junction of Kula Road (37) to...
153 Kula Highway, 878-2140) is open 7 to 5 and has great desserts such as pineapple-banana cake (not always available) and 100% organically grown Maui coffee. Sit out on the deck and savor the upcountry air and view.
Continue southwest to…
Visit the Ranch Store and Grille and the winery. The Tedeschi Winery (878-6058) has a small local history exhibit room and a gift shop. There are free tours of the winery (9:30-2:30) and wine-tasting happens in the 1874 King’s Cottage (pineapple, passion fruit and grape wines). There’s history here which stretches back to the legendarily wild parties held here by King Kalakaua (aka the Merrie Monarch). 808-878-6058
Return to Kahului on Kula Road. On your way down through Kula, stop at a roadside fruit and veggie stand and a goat diary noted for its award-winning goat cheeses...
Home of fresh strawberries, vegetables and flowers. Across from Rice Park near the junction of Kula Road and Kekaulike Avenue across from Rice Park.
3651 Omaopio Road (off of Kula Road on your let), and about a mile and a half down the road.) Look for the signs. Watch the goats and perhaps their kids as they stand on the surfboards!
Restaurant Ideas
Paia Fish Market has great and moderately-priced food in a very informal setting.
Casanova’s in Makawao has a great hamburger and iced tea.
Polli's Mexican Restaurant in Makawao has good food. A favorite among locals.
Moana Bakery and Café (71 Baldwin Avenue) has great cuisine plus vintage Hawaiian music Wednesday evenings.
Kula Lodge has a drop-dead view and a fine menu. Split their spinach salad and a gourmet, wood-fired pizza for a tasty lunch.
Grandma’s Coffee Shop has some deli items, good desserts and great coffee.
Ulupakua Ranch Store and Grille has good elk burgers.
