Maui Guidebook

Upcountry Maui – Quick Summary

Last updated 29. Sep, 2009 by Mark.

General Geographic Area: Upcountry Maui

In a nutshell: “Upcountry” is a term which describes not only a way of life, but much of the area on the Haleakala side of Maui away from the shoreline. The largest towns Upcountry are Pukalani, Makawao, Kula and Haiku. Although Upcountry is mostly rural, agricultural and residential, Upcountry Maui also offers quite a bit for visitors too.
Minuses: No beaches, and far less tourism oriented.
Sound-bite: “Excuse me ma’am, how do I get back to the down-country?”

“Upcountry” is as much a lifestyle as …

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Haleakala Crater (Haleakala National Park Summit Area)

Last updated 16. Feb, 2012 by lilikoi.

Standing at the Haleakala summit is like standing on Mars.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Haleakala Crater is the most popular attraction in Upcountry Maui. Stunning sunrises, panoramic out-of-this-world landscapes, birds-eye views of the Maui central valley, and flora and fauna that exist nowhere else in the world.
Minuses: The air is thin, and hiking here is not for the less fit.
Sound-bite: “Oh my Lord, it is cold up here!”

DETAILS:
Haleakala National Park covers the summit area of the larger of the two volcanic mountains that make up Maui. …

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Keokea through Ulupalakua

Last updated 23. Sep, 2009 by Mark.

Tedeschi Winery tasting room

Rating:

In a nutshell: A hearty breakfast or lunch, then off for scenic vistas, and wine tasting.
Minuses: The road in Ulupalakua is unforgiving if you become over-enthusiastic during the wine tasting!
Sound-bite: “They should call this ‘Paniolo soul food’, brah!”

This is a good side-trip to take after a Haleakala Crater sunrise trip, or during a planned Upcountry exploration day. If you take the back side of Haleakala to return from Hana, you will pass through starting in Ulupalakua. However I suggest that visitors …

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The Back Side of Haleakala (Kipahulu to Ulupalakua)

Last updated 22. Aug, 2011 by Mark.

Much of the road is a lumpy, bumpy, narrow patchwork of asphalt laid down over years, one shovel at a time.

Rating:

In a nutshell: If you like the road less traveled, continuing on past Hana around Haleakala is an adventure worth taking. In about the same amount of time as it would take you to go back the way you came, you can see a side of Maui most are persuaded to miss.
Minuses: The road becomes rough for portions and rental car companies say “you’re on your own.”…

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Makawao Town

Last updated 04. Jun, 2009 by Walker.

K Matsui Store building.

Rating:

In a nutshell: Makawao is a soulful little eclectic town, with more diversity in shops than you can count space for shops. Oh, and the best bakery in the state (and probably beyond.)
Minuses: Parking is tough, except at the non-central municipal lot.
Sound-bite: “Crossroads of Upcountry Maui.”

DETAILS:
Makawao is a old, Upcountry, Paniolo town. A Paniolo is a Hawaiian Cowboy. While most visitors had no idea there was such a thing as a Hawaiian Cowboy, they’ve actually been around these-here-parts since the 1800′s. …

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The House of the Sun in 1907

Last updated 30. Mar, 2010 by Jack London.

I was reading an old guidebook I dug up from a box in the attic this morning and I came across a chapter Jack London wrote about Haleakala ~1907. I was struck by how much of what he described a century ago remains accurate today.

The story takes the reader alongside as he ascends through the leeward side of Haleakala to the summit, through the crater and back down to Kaupo. From Kaupo, the story continues tracing back along the East Maui ditch system, along a similar route as The …

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Back Side of Haleakala Road Closed

Last updated 20. Nov, 2010 by Mark.

Kaupo – 11/20/10; 1540 pm – Piilani Highway now open @ mile 29.5 Kaupo

View Back Side of Haleakala Road Closed in a larger map…

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Haleakala Park Closed – Winter Weather Warning

Last updated 19. Jan, 2011 by Mark.

Haleakala Park has re-opened due to icy and unsafe road conditions. The park may re-open in the afternoon as snow and ice melt.

To call the park before heading up: 808-572-4400

WINTER WEATHER WARNING No.2

January 19, 2011 – 4:00 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CANCELLED the WINTER WEATHER WARNING for the SUMMIT and UPPER SLOPES of HALEAKALA.

EFFECTS: The Summit of Mount Haleakala is clearing out and the rain and snow is not expected there.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: PERSONS SHOULD REMAIN CAUTIOUS OF THE DIMINISHING RAIN AND …

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Wind Advisory for Haleakala Summit

Last updated 07. Mar, 2012 by Mark.

When winds are high, hiking into the crater and downhill bike tours are inadvisable.

Posted on: March 7, 2012
Wind Notification No. 4 – WIND ADVISORY CANCELLATION

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has CANCELLED the WIND ADVISORY for Haleakala National Park above 6,000 feet.

EFFECTS: Winds have dropped below advisory levels

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: THE PUBLIC SHOULD REMAIN CAUTIOUS OF THE DIMINISHING WINDS.

INFORMATION: This will be the last Maui County Civil Defense notification on this event.

-End-…

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FLASH FLOOD WARNING

Last updated 10. Mar, 2012 by Mark.

Posted on: March 9, 2012
Storm Updates for Maui County on 3/9/12

1) The Department of Water Supply continues to advise customers in the Central and South Maui areas to boil water before consumption due to possible contamination from rainwater.

Affected areas include Kahului, Wailuku, Paia, Spreckelsville, Waikapu, Puunene, Kihei, Wailea, Makena, and Maalaea.

* Pictures of some East Maui damage are available on the County of Maui Facebook page.
PLEASE NOTE THAT DWS OFFICIALS ARE CONCERNED ONLY ABOUT POSSIBLE SEDIMENT FROM STORM RUNOFF WHICH GOT INTO THE SYSTEM. There …

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