
Upcountry Maui
Upcountry Maui
Golden beaches give way to rolling hills and misty mountains as you ascend into Upcountry Maui, which is located on the higher elevations surrounding Haleakalā — the island’s highest peak. Since early times, Hawaiians have farmed the volcanic soil of Upcountry fields, growing taro and sweet potato. Today, you can take farm tours, visit a goat dairy or even sip Maui-made wines and spirits in the rustic outposts of Kula and Makawao.
Upcountry is also the stomping ground of the paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys—a culture that arose in the 19th century when King Kamehameha III invited vaqueros from California to teach islanders to wrangle cattle. Further east, the 10,023-foot Haleakalā presides over the "Valley Isle," with epic sunrises and otherworldly landscapes that feel more like the moon than Maui. It’s a dramatic departure from the coconut palms of Kāʻanapali and Kapalua, but a day trip to the Upcountry will bring you closer to Maui’s heartland.
Upcountry is also the stomping ground of the paniolo, or Hawaiian cowboys—a culture that arose in the 19th century when King Kamehameha III invited vaqueros from California to teach islanders to wrangle cattle. Further east, the 10,023-foot Haleakalā presides over the "Valley Isle," with epic sunrises and otherworldly landscapes that feel more like the moon than Maui. It’s a dramatic departure from the coconut palms of Kāʻanapali and Kapalua, but a day trip to the Upcountry will bring you closer to Maui’s heartland.

Upcountry Maui Highlights

Pāʻia
Just four miles into your drive to Hāna from Kahului, you'll discover the historic town of Pāʻia on Maui's north coast.
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Haleakalā National Park
Towering over the island of Maui and visible from just about any point, Haleakalā Crater is a force of nature in every sense.
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Kula
In the heart of Upcountry Maui, Kula is a quaint, rustic area on the slopes of Haleakalā.
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Makawao
Located on the mid-slopes of Maui’s Haleakalā volcano, Makawao has one foot in its plantation past and another in its thriving arts community.
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Read More About Sunrise and Sunset on Haleakalā

View the Digital Hawaiian Islands Official Visitors’ Guide
