Maui - Paia, Upcountry, Napili and Kapula

July will be our third time visiting Maui. The first was many years ago, pre kids, we stayed at the then Embassy Suites in Kaanapali. We spent time exploring that area and Lahaina.

Our last time was in 2006 with our children age 11 %26amp; 9 and we stayed at the Grand Wailea. Did the road to Hana, Went into Lahaina a couple of times, explored Wailea and Makena,

We are returning July 2009 staying 4 nts at the Four Seasons and 7 nights at the Grand Wailea, kids will be 14 %26amp; 12

This time we are interested in exploring Paia, Upcountry and past Kaanapali into Napili and Kapula.

We passed Paia when we went to Hana and would like to go and just walk around, look at the shops and have lunch somewhere. Not interested in going to Mama%26#39;s fish house.

We have never been upcountry and never been passed Kaanapali.

We would like to know what are everyone%26#39;s not to miss places, stops, etc during our explorations of these areas.

Thank you

Maui - Paia, Upcountry, Napili and Kapula

I also wanted to ask if anyone has been to the Lavender farm or the Surfing Goat Dairy farm. Either of these places worth the stop?

Maui - Paia, Upcountry, Napili and Kapula

You are planning to visit what is my favourite part of Maui!

Upcountry to me is pure heaven.

We really enjoy walking around Paia and we always make a point to have lunch at the Paia Fish Market...I love their Ono Burgers! Then head up to Makawao and take a walk around this little town. We love visiting the galleries...Sherri Reeve is always my favourite stop for souvenirs!

http://www.sreeve.com/index.html

On the way up (or down) from Haleakala we always make a stop at the Kula Lodge. Wonderful views from here and also a great place for breakfast or lunch....and you can visit the Curtis Cost Gallery at the same time!

Tedeschi Winery is a wonderful place for a bucolic visit...so calm and pretty.

I have been to both the Lavender Farm and the Surfing Goat Dairy. I loved both. I would go back to the Dairy just for the cheese! I loved the goats too. When we were there they had 2 wee kids...they were just 2 days old and absolutely adorable.

I would definitely head back to the Lavender Farm too...especially if the lavender was in bloom. It is very interesting and they have a very nice gift shop and tea room. Save room for the lavender tea and lavender scones.

We also love the take drives down the ';less traveled'; roads. Happy surprises and photo opportunities around every bend.

Can you tell I love it??? We always make more than one trip Upcountry :) !

Lunch in Paia should be the Paia Fish Market. Nothing fancy but they have the best fish sandwiches!

Upcountry - be sure to wander Makawao (Hawaiian cowboys). If the timing is right you may want to check out the Polo matches on Sunday. Past Kapalua is the Nakele blowhole.

paia and the upcountry are definetly my favorite places too!

makawao is a great little town for unique shopping opportunities.

the lavender farm is worth the drive and so is the winery!

have fun!

Paia - certainly visit! I am a fan of Charley%26#39;s even some Willy Nelson sightings on occasion. Get the ';Woofer.'; Ice cream at ';Ono'; on the ocean side of Hana Hwy. Expensive, but the best ice cream I have ever had. Also, drive a little ways past Paia to Hookipa, the site of the world%26#39;s best windsurfing and take in the view.

Upcountry - second all the previous suggestions and add the much loved Haile Maile General Store as a dining destination

www.bevgannonrestaurants.com/haliimaile/

Kapalua - if you have never been past Kaanapali you have missed a lot! The zip line adventure tour is a lot of fun. Also the hiking trails from the Puu Kukui conservation area down to the ocean are free and some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. The trails are well marked and maintained by the Kapalua resort. Also snorkeling at Honolua Bay is world class. Sunset drinks at Merriman%26#39;s is fantastic - best spot on Maui.

By all means, take the time to visit Kapalua. I have been to Maui many times and it is my favorite spot on the island! The beaches are wonderful and the area is just beautiful. I would also recommend taking the drive along the top of West Maui. I believe the road #30 turns into #340. In my opinion, the drive is better than the drive to Hana. It is less crowded and not nearly as long of a drive. Here the Nakulele Blowhole is amazing if the surf is rough. Also, try to find the spot on the Bellstone rock to make it clank! It%26#39;s a great drive, even though it can be nerve racking at times.

I have also been to the Lavendar Farm and enjoyed it very much. Their products are fantastic. I order them throughout the year.

Enjoy!

Thank you - I am really looking forward to exploring these areas.

Sorry about the typo for Kapalua.

Your Maui bio sounds like mine! We have stayed at the Embassy Suites (years ago) and the Grand Wailea twice. Our fifteen year old daughter would not do well with visiting Maui and NOT going to the Grand Wailea. Because Upcountry is my favorite part of Maui, we are splitting our stay this June - spending three nights in a rental house in Kula and three nights at the Grand Wailea. Although we have spent time driving all around Upcountry and visiting the towns mentioned above, this will be our first visits to the lavendar farm and goat dairy, so we can compare notes. Another dining suggestion: Casanova in Makawao - great pasta!

Do some research on the road past Kapalua. (Plenty of threads on here on the subject.) We went all the way around ONCE. Never again. Now we go as far as the Nakele Blowhole - maybe a little farther - and turn around!

I love upcountry! It will be high on our list this next trip and worth every minute.

Kapalua and the Blowhole are worth checking out - but the drive around West Maui all the way back to Wailuku/Kahului is not one that I would suggest at all. We have done it and I am comfortable on winding roads, but not about to do that one again.

A stop at Napili would also be a good idea.