Hi,

This is my first time to Hawaii and I am wondering is the North Shore of Maui very different from the more common areas mentioned in the guidebooks - or does it make a good base from which to operate? We will have a car. Are there restaurants in the area (besides the vegetarian?) is this a convenient location, even though it looks secluded? Is the beach, surf, climate much different than West Maui? Thank you for your replies, in advance.

Pa`ia is not exactly centrally located. But Maui is not that big an island that it will make too big a difference. Just get in the car and go.

The restaurant choices are far fewer than other areas. But you will be just a hop, skip, and a jump from Kahului, where your choices expand greatly.

This area is much windier than the western or southern sides of the island. That's why the windsurfers love it, especially at Ho`okipa. Don't expect to have a good hairday if you venture outdoors here. :)

Rain tends to fall more on the north and eastern sides of the islands. That's because that's where the tradewinds initially make contact and start to react.

If you go to Ho`okipa to watch the surfers, the AM will bring the usual waveriders. By afternoon, the winds really pick up and draw out the windsurfers.

Personally, I would choose to stay elsewhere. But that is just my $0.02 worth.

I hope you have a great trip!

paia is a nice beach town and a favorite of the younger eclectic crowd. great beaches ( baldwin ) within walking distance or a short drive to ho 'okipa with excellent surf ( experienced surfer/windsurfer spot ). as for night life you have charleys which is a local and/or young crowd and mainstay in paia and a few other places that serve good food, coffee houses and drink. overall its sort of a neo-hippie seen mixed with tourists that stop in on there way to hana. paia is not isolated but you do need a car which you have covered. no hotels here though just vacation rentals and hostels.

upcountry is close by with towns like makawao which is a afternoon trip and on weds. night casanovas has the best ladies night on the island.

kahului and wailuku is the place you go to for shopping mainland style but other than that there really isnt a reason to spend anytime there imo.

the west side is the place to base out of if you can find a reasonable rental and i would recommend lahaina town which has everything you need. best weather, goo d place to surf for beginners ( harbor, breakwall) or 14 miles from honolua bay for experienced/pros. many really nice restaraunts and probably the only steady night life, shops and more shops and we have 2 starbucks.

so for a vacation base from which to enjoy all that the island has to offer lahaina is the place. fact is you can travel anywhere on the island depending on traffic w/in 45 minutes. by that i mean from say kaanapali thru lahaina to kahului and or upcountry. the road to hana is a long and winding road so pack your beattles cd's. bypass kihei

aloha

maui no kai oi

Piai was colonized by hippies who headed for Hana but found out that they were too stoned to drive the curving road. So they stopped near the last straight stretch and called it home. Their decendants have evolved into three groups: the windsurfers who hang out a Ho'okipa, the waiters and cooks who work at Mama's Fish House and other local restaurants, and a small but persistent group of thieves who break into tourists' cars.

It will be windier and wetter than more western or southern parts. There is not much to do or see there. There are a few good restaurants, but you'll run out of places to eat in a weekend. You will find yourself driving into Kahului so often that you will do more driving than if you just rented a place in Kihei or Kaanapali and then walked to shops and restaurants.

So visit it once: watch the windsurfers in the afternoon, eat at Mama's if you want to spend a lot or at Cafe Mambo if you want to spend a little, then go back to western or southern Maui. ( On the way, close the car windows and set the a/c to 'recycle' because there is a part of the Hana highway near the airport that sometimes has a horrible stench - I think it may be from the old sugar mill, but I'm not sure. )

Stay there only if you like windsurfing. Otherwise, I'd recommend the Lahaina/Kaanapali or Kihei/Wailea/Makena areas.

Ditto on harmoniousboth suggestion - Paia is just a surfing hippie town with lots of shops and a couple of good restaurants.....we ate twice in Paia Fish Market which was fabulous! Charley's is also a good place - we didn't go there in the evening but did see it on the Channel 7 tourist information - Willie Nelson was endorsing the place - funny! Paia is just a place to have lunch or dinner and shop - not really for staying.

We just got back from Kihei where we rented a condo (Maui Sunset) for only $130/night - was fabulous! Traveled all around the island in our rental and had a blast!

Have fun & let me know if you have more questions!