This Little Beach Town In Hawaii Will Capture Your Heart
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Megan Shute
Author
Just four miles from Kahalui on Maui’s famous Road to Hana is Paia, a small beach town big on charm. The town is not only known for its epic surfing and windsurfing waves, but is the epicenter of Maui’s north shore, and is full of artsy, bohemian vibes. While the adorable seaside town is gaining traction with tourists, it is still often seen as merely a spot to refuel, grab some food, and head out on the Hana Highway. But it is so much more than that, and you will never regret a day trip – or even a weekend getaway – to this perfect little town.
Plantation camps housed workers of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian descent, and in 1896, the Paia Store was opened to support the needs of immigrant sugar workers.
As the main hub of Maui’s north shore, Paia has undoubtedly experienced waves of change in the last several decades, but it still is overflowing with the energy of its plantation past. Today, approximately 2,700 people call the sleepy surfside town of Paia home.
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Despite all of Paia's charm and incredible beaches, the town has managed to avoid becoming gentrified or touristy, and is home a unique mix of eccentric and colorful individuals who are undoubtedly drawn to the town's bohemian atmosphere and laid-back vibes.
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This funky and relaxed coffee shop serves up heavenly coffee drinks and delicious breakfast and lunch items in a hip, eclectic atmosphere with garden seating. It’s a little bit hard to find as the entrance is tucked into an alley, but the dirty chai lattes and espresso drinks are totally worth the hassle.
The small, half-mile main drag packs in a ton of cool boutiques, surf and swimwear shops, fine art galleries, tattoo parlors, a bike shop, and even a hemp store.
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The Great Paia Lha Bab Peace Stupa is the gateway to the Maui Dharma Center, and is dedicated to the late Lama Tenzin, the center's first full-time resident teacher, who passed in 2001. Construction on the Stupa began in 2005, and was finished just in time to be consecrated by the Dalai Lama, on his Holiness' historic visit to Maui in 2007.
Featuring locally sourced, organic ingredients, Flatbread Company serves up delicious made-to-order flatbread pizzas baked in a wood fire oven.
Just stay away from Paia Secret Beach, the local nudist hangout - unless you're into that sort of thing.
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Serving up a plethora of Hawaiian-inspired flavors like Lililoi, Maui Pineapple, Big Island Macadamia Crunch, and Kula Strawberry, this small gelato shop specializes in local flavors and ingredients. Don't forget to pick up a t-shirt or souvenirs for your family and friends.
This upscale eatery serves up fresh and local seafood in a Polynesian-decorated space with sweeping ocean views. With 4.5 stars on Yelp and more than 4,000 reviews, it's one of the most highly-rated restaurants on Maui - and perhaps even in all of Hawaii.
You see, you won't find any major hotels, resorts, or condos in Paia; there are a few other vacation rentals scattered throughout the town, but only the two major accommodation destinations.
Isn’t this little surf town positively charming? If you’ve already been to Paia, consider any of these 12 cities perfect for a weekend getaways, or these 10 Hawaii day trips.
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