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The island paradise of Maui boasts a wealth of exclusive high end communities. The choices can be overwhelming, making it difficult to choose which one is right for you. Each community comes with its own unique charm, sensibilities, and amenities that cater to a diverse range of homeowner preferences.
Two of these sought-after communities are Kula and Haiku, on the northeastern side of the island. Get to know more about these beautiful luxury Maui neighborhoods and why they are considered among the most desirable real estate markets not only in Hawaii, but in the world.
Kula vs. Haiku—which one should you choose?
The communities of Kula and Haiku reside on the slopes of the majestic Haleakala, an area of Maui that has been dubbed as ‘Upcountry.’ The term refers to both the area’s elevation and reputation for upscale living. Upcountry may not be as popular among tourists as the more urban areas like Kihei, Kahului or West Maui, but it offers an elegant, classic Hawaiian plantation vibe that gives residents a sense of pride and exclusivity.
KULA: HIGH-END COUNTRY LIVING WITH BREATHTAKING BI-COASTAL VIEWS
Kula is an idyllic community with plenty of picturesque homes, farms, and ranches that play an important role in Hawaii’s agricultural landscape. With incredibly fertile soil created by the violent volcanic activities of the past, Kula—a Hawaiian word that means ‘open country’—is rife with agricultural and natural riches. Its location on the west face of Haleakala gives it arguably the best views in Upcountry, offering panoramic vistas of the mountainside as well as the Pacific Ocean.
About the Kula neighborhood
Kula is one of Hawaii’s oldest residential districts. It is made up mostly of rolling slopes and farmland, and is generally divided into two sections—Upper Kula and Lower Kula.
- Upper Kula is situated on the higher elevations of Haleakala. Residents get to enjoy the area’s endless green pastures, quiet natural atmosphere and breathtaking mountainside views. The rich volcanic soil of the region helps the locals produce bountiful fruits, vegetables, and flowers of incomparable quality, including lemons, strawberries, and tomatoes. It is home to the Kula Botanical Garden and the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm.
- Lower Kula sits further to the west part of town surrounded by farms and sugarcane fields, along with a selection of restaurants, markets, and tourist lodgings. Its most remarkable landmark is the Holy Ghost Mission Church. Built in the 19th century, the church is a popular venue for weddings and many other religious occasions. Lower Kula is where you’ll also find the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm with their award-winning cheese, and Hawaiian Sea Spirits, an organic vodka distillery.
Within the Kula, Maui real estate market, you’ll find plenty of multi-acre properties in developed neighborhoods, with perfectly preserved and updated homes in architectural styles that capture the Hawaiian plantation lifestyle. Boasting some of the largest and most expensive properties in all of Hawaii, homes for sale in Kula, Maui take luxury country living to new heights.
Top attractions in Kula
Kula is popular for its rural tranquility, but it also offers enchanting attractions. While sightseeing, hiking, and biking are popular activities, Kula is also an excellent place for some lifestyle fun. Here are three must-visit places that make the Kula, Maui real estate landscape even more appealing.
1. Maui Wine
This commercial winery—where Tedeschi Vineyards is located—is the largest of its kind in Hawaii. Maui Wine provides free guided tours detailing the winery’s rich history and facilities, as well as free tastings of their premium wine sourced from locally grown grapes and pineapples.
2. Kula Botanical Garden
Maui’s very own tropical paradise, the Kula Botanical Garden offers eight acres of unparalleled experience in nature. Here, visitors can find hundreds of plant varieties along with a great number of animals in their natural habitats including Nene geese, Jackson’s chameleons, and numerous bird species. The garden also features a koi pond, carved tiki exhibit, and a picnic spot that comes with sweeping views of the surroundings.
3. Surfing Goat Dairy
Maui’s largest commercial dairy farm has been crafting award-winning gourmet goat cheeses for over a decade. This family-friendly destination offers visitors a unique opportunity to witness the entire cheese-making process, from start to finish. Guests are welcome to explore the scenic grounds, interact with the goats, and even participate in a special tour where they can try their hand at milking and help with end-of-day farm chores.
Schools in Kula
Parents with school-age children will love living in Kula for its top-rated schools. The town has one public school—Kula Elementary (Pre-K to 5)—and one private school—Haleakala Waldorf (Pre-K to 12). Both are highly rated schools known for providing quality education in safe environments. Kula also has two day care centers providing pre-K education.
Shopping and dining in Kula
Kula is not all wide open spaces—you’ll find a great variety of contemporary activities to do here. Whether you’re hungering for new flavors or searching for a unique local trinket, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised with the shopping and dining options here.
If you feel like indulging your palate, the homemade goodness of the Kula Lodge’s wood-fired pizzas are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings. For your sweet tooth, Kula Bistro’s special selection of brownies, specialty cakes, pies, and pastries will leave you wanting for more. LaProvence is another excellent dining choice with its French-inspired menu of lunch and bistro dinner classics.
True to its rural roots, Kula doesn’t have department stores and huge shopping centers often seen in major metropolitan areas. What it does have is an eclectic mix of quaint rustic shops and boutiques, most of which can be found at Kula Marketplace. The market features a wide selection of products from over 200 local vendors including art, cuisine, jewelry, and home decor. About 5 miles to the south, there’s Ali’i Kula Lavender, a specialty gift shop that sells a range of lavender-inspired products including body creams, kitchen seasonings, and even pastries.
Top reasons to move to Kula
This beautiful community has spectacular views of Haleakala on one side and captivating scenes of the Pacific on the other. Around town, you’ll find spacious homes on large lots, complemented by easy access to fun local activities.
Here are four more reasons that makes diving into the Kula, Maui real estate worthwhile:
Proximity to Haleakala National Park
Haleakala National Park spans more than 30,000 acres and possesses a dizzying array of wildlife, plantlife, and landscapes. Outdoor lovers can enjoy over 35 miles of trails full of rare plants, native birds, and photo ops. The top of the volcano is a popular spot for skywatching. From there, you can see Oheo Gulch, Kipahulu Valley, and awesome sunrises and sunsets every day.
A weekend farmers market
The KulaMalu Town Center hosts a farmers market every Saturday morning from 7am to 11am. The Upcountry Farmers Market is a great venue to shop for locally grown fruits, vegetables, and other foods for you and your family. The market also presents an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors and learn something new from local farmers and producers.
After hours fun
Upcountry is known as a quiet part of the island but it doesn’t lack in a vibrant nightlife. Kula Bistro allows no corkage BYOB for beer and wine so you can enjoy your dinner plate with your beverage of choice. Kula Lodge Restaurant and Bar has a Happy Hour Menu that features a good number of cocktail favorites along with a nice selection of beers and wines.
Haven for farmers
Looking to flex your green thumb? Kula’s farming culture is intrinsic to the region’s identity. Whether it’s growing flowers, orchids, fruits, or vegetables, the favorable climate and fertile volcanic soil can provide you with ideal conditions for high yields. Organic farmers will be happy to know that Kula promotes eco-friendly farming practices that help support the health and sustainability of the community.
HAIKU: THE EMBODIMENT OF A STUNNING AND BEAUTIFUL POEM
Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that captures the poet’s awe of nature. That same sense of awe is what you’ll feel when you first lay your eyes on Haiku’s lush green tropical landscape. With parts of the community on the mountainside as well as the beach side, Haiku offers the best of both worlds, attracting people from all walks of life to its dual delights.
About the Haiku neighborhood
Haiku Market, located within the Haiku Cannery is the town’s main commercial center. The market sells produce, meat, eggs, and dairy products direct from local growers. Around the market, you’ll find grocery and general stores, a hardware store, several eateries, and a Post Office. The area also has its own fitness center. On the North Shore, you’ll find plenty of breathtaking pools and waterfalls. Many of these natural areas are open to the public.
Like Kula, Haiku also boasts vast land lots that allow residents to engage in agricultural pursuits including raising livestock, planting crops, and growing gardens. Homes for sale in Haiku, Maui run the gamut from quaint plantation-style homes to elaborate beachfront properties and sprawling custom estates.
Top attractions in Haiku
Haiku is known for its vast greenspaces that allow for a great number of outdoor activities. From hiking trails to world-class surfing spots and numerous other open-air pursuits, this island paradise offers a veritable playground for those with a zest for exploration and adventure.
Here are some of the top attractions that Haiku has to offer locals and tourists alike.
1. The Painted Forest
The enchanting Road to Hana possesses an abundance of out-of-this-world wonders. One of these is The Painted Forest, a wooded section of the road full of Rainbow Eucalyptus Trees with bright eye-catching colors. Shades of blue, orange, pink, purple, and red appear as if they were brushed onto the trees, creating a truly mesmerizing sight. These trees are located just before mile marker 7 on the left side of the road from Haiku. There’s a small shoulder for cars to pull over so passersby can take in the scenery without having to watch the road.
2. Giggle Hill
The Kalakupua Playground at The 4th Division Marine Memorial Park aka Giggle Hill, is a community-maintained playground that’s free for everybody to use. The massive play area has numerous swings, slides, bridges, and hideouts for little kids to enjoy. The site also has wide open fields for baseball, soccer, and other open-air sports. There is free parking, covered picnic pavilions with barbeque grills, bathroom facilities and other conveniences to ensure hitch-free family fun.
3. Baked on Maui
For scrumptious breakfasts, brunches, and lunches, Baked on Maui is the hands-down place to be in Haiku. Surrounded by surf stores, this easygoing North Shore gem serves a large selection of artisan breads and other baked goods including its bestselling whipped cream and cheese frosting-covered cinnamon rolls. The bakery also serves vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free pastries for those with dietary restrictions.
Schools in Haiku
Haiku only has one public school—Haiku Elementary, which serves pre-K to grade 5—and one private school—Roots School, serving pre-k to grade 8. Both schools are known for their well-structured multidisciplinary curriculum that allows students to be broadly educated and specifically skilled. More educational options can be found in the neighboring areas of Kahului, Makawao, and East Maui.
Shopping and dining in Haiku
Haiku offers a bevy of choices for those times when you don’t feel like making dinner or want to experience something new. Its burgeoning shopping and restaurant scene brings a sense of sophistication to the overall idyllic atmosphere of the place.
The luxurious Nuka serves award-winning Japanese fare incorporating farm-to-table produce, freshly caught seafood, and locally sourced meats and wine. If you’re hankering for some food cart delicacies, make sure to drop by Rainbow Kitchen + Rebel Tonics, a favorite haunt on Hana Highway known for its savory vegetarian breakfast and lunch menus. Colleen’s At The Cannery may look like your typical diner, but you’ll be impressed with its New American fare of daily fresh ground burgers, fluffy eggs benedict, and yummy breakfast burritos paired with your choice of juice, smoothie, or coffee.
The aforementioned Haiku Market is hands down the best place for shopping in Haiku with everything you could possibly need or want, from clothing to bath and body products, to groceries and home products and more. The historic Pauwela Cannery, once a pineapple cannery, has now evolved into a beloved hub for local artisans and small businesses where people can shop and drink at their own leisure.
Top reasons to move to Haiku
The laid back atmosphere and natural beauty is a big part of the Haiku way of life, making it an ideal place for people who want a peaceful existence surrounded by nature. Whether you choose to reside at the beach or at the slopes of a 10,000 foot volcano, the idyllic life on this tropical paradise island is yours for the taking.
1. Sunny tropical climate
Haiku is blessed with pleasant weather all year round, experiencing tropical to uniform temperatures throughout. Over the course of the year, the temperature can vary from 63°F to 85°F while rarely reaching extremes of below 57°F or above 88°F. The area sees a decent amount of rain, which helps provide a cool climate with plenty of sunny days to enjoy.
2. Awe-inspiring water features
Aside from the beach, Haiku also boasts a good number of waterfalls and pools such as Upper Waikani Falls, Makapipi Falls and the ever-popular Twin Falls. Anytime of year, people can enjoy a refreshing swim at these locations with the backdrop of the stunning falls behind them. Hiking, exploring, picnicking, and other outdoor activities are also permitted.
3. The North Shore
Haiku is home to beautiful beaches where surfing is an all year round activity. Ho’okipa Beach, a renowned world-class surfing site, welcomes surfers, windsurfers, kitesurfers, and tow-in surfers of any age and level. Meanwhile, the huge waves at Pe’ahi, which range between 30 and 80 feet tall, are reserved for experienced and professional surfers. If you’re more interested in rest and relaxation, the North Shore has plenty of great sites for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and other light water activities.
4. Easy accessibility
Haiku has the unbeatable advantage of being near everything in Maui. Whether you want to go visit art galleries in Hana, enjoy the sights at Molokini Crater, or have a staycation in one of the posh hotels on the western part of the island, you’re just an hour or two away from your destination.
EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL HOMES FOR SALE IN KULA OR HAIKU
Are you interested in what the Kula or Haiku real estate markets have to offer? I am Dave Futch, and I am a multi-awarded Realtor belonging to thentop 3% of all Maui Realtors three years in a row. Along with my team of expert real estate professionals, I have helped homeowners and homebuyers in the Maui neighborhoods of Haiku, Kula, Kihei, Wailea/Makena, Lahaina, and Kaanapali/Kapalua make the best decisions for their real estate transactions.
If you’re interested in one of the excellent properties in these communities, give us a call today at 808.280.9600 or send us an email here, and let’s explore the possibility of finding your perfect home in Kula or Haiku.