The Aloha State is home to plenty of pretty spectacular places where you can go to detach from technology, unplug and relax a little – or to cut the proverbial cords and enjoy true off grid living in Hawaii. And if you are considering living off grid in Hawaii, we recommend the charming town of Paia. This tiny community on Maui’s north shore is big on charm and plenty of things you’d rather be doing than hanging out on your phone. It also gets a lot of sun, freshwater in the form of plentiful rain, and has a year-round growing season.

If you're looking for a spot to go off grid in the Hawaiian Islands, Paia Town, Maui is a charming place to unplug.
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This tiny town is located on the island of Maui, with just 2,470 residents. It's a quiet and peaceful place to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
Downtown Paia is picturesque, lined with old-fashioned shops and buildings.
Peter Unger via Stone Collection / Getty Images
The town is known for its slower pace and the robust artistic community attracted to it. This also means, you can visit the many town's many galleries that showcase the area's talented artists.
In fact, Fodor's named Paia one of "America's Best Small Towns" for several reasons.
John Elk / The Image Bank / Hawaii
The windsurfing is phenomenal, which is not surprising since Paia has been dubbed the "Windsurfing Capital of the World." The North Shore of Maui, where Paia is located, has steady winds and warm waters - which make its beaches, particularly Ho'okipa, ideal for skimming across the waves with an airfoil in hand.

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Endangered green sea turtles, or "honu," which are the most frequently seen species of turtle in Hawaiian waters, also enjoy Ho'okipa Beach.
Matt Anderson Photography via Moment Collection / Getty Images
If you head down around sunset, you may find a sea turtle or two taking a breather on the beach.
The laid-back vibe is strong in Paia, which makes ditching technology so much easier.
Matt Anderson Photography via Moment Collection / Getty Images
The town is built around slow living and enjoying everything around you. You won't miss your phone or television while exploring the fantastic things Paia offers.
And right outside Paia, you will find a veritable treasure trove of beauty.
Ed Freeman via DigitalVision Collection / Getty Images
Cascading waterfalls and lush jungle foliage await you.
Take the opportunity to explore some of Maui's most beautiful scenery in this charming community in paradise.
Peter Unger via Stone Collection / Getty Images
The same combination of sun, rainfall, and endless summer that make Paia so attractive to visitors and residents, alike, is also why it's an ideal place to live off the grid. The sun that brings people to the beaches and the wind the attracts surfers can power your off grid home. The plentiful rainfall that creates the waterfalls is your source for freshwater. And the never-ending growing season, as evidenced by all the local fruit and flower stands, means you won't have to rely too heavily on supermarkets or supply chains.

If you’re considering living off the grid in Hawaii, be sure to check out Paia, where you’ll find a plenty of like-minded folks and the resources to cut the cables – whether its for a few days or the rest of your life. As great as Maui is, you don’t have to limit your search for an off grid spot to one island – there are many excellent places where you can get ideas for off grid living in Hawaii.

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Off Grid Living In Hawaii

Trent Jonas | March 17, 2023

Are There Other Places To Go Off Grid In Hawaii Besides Paia Town, Maui?

With its mild, subtropical climate and relatively-low population density, there are many places to go off grid in Hawaii besides Paia Town, Maui. The rainy side of the Big Island is probably the most affordable place for off grid living in the Aloha State. It receives plenty of sun, wind, and rain to serve your electricity and fresh water needs. The growing season is long where there is sufficient topsoil to do so.

The downside, is that this part of Hawaii rests on the side of the world's most active volcano, so you're never really safe from a lava flow consuming your land and turning your fertile soil into solid rock for a few years. But that's the trade off for affordability in paradise. The north shore and uplands of Maui are much less prone to volcanic eruptions, but probably a little less affordable. Oahu may be a little overpopulated to truly escape and live off grid, but the Island of Kauai is another fine option. But, like Maui, it will be more expensive than parts of the Big Island.

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Paia, HI 96779, USA