Maui > North/Central > Paia Town
Pāʻia, Maui
by Tania Ginoza
No trip to Maui is complete without a trip to Paia, Maui’s coolest little town. Located on the North Shore, Paia started as a plantation town with the opening of Paia Store in 1896 to serve the needs of the multi-cultural plantation workers of Paia Sugar Mill.
Keep in mind, COVID-19 changed things on Maui quite a bit. As of April 22nd, 2022, a lot of the following shops have closed, moved, or changed. Once things settle down a bit, we’ll redo this page.
Today, the wooden buildings of this quaint little town are still reminiscent of the plantation era but now house some of the best shopping and dining on the island. Paʻia town’s main drag is also just a stone’s throw away from one of the best windsurfing spots in the world, Hoʻokipa, and the surf lifestyle has definitely had an influence. Casual and laid back in feel, Paʻia is a great day trip for some shopping and lunch, followed by a gelato or latte.
See Paia Map
Paia Shopping
Paia is home to several Maui designer flagship stores. Tamara Catz is known for her resort clothing and also designs a bridal collection perfect for an island wedding. Popular with visitors and locals, Maui Girl offers a wide variety of bikinis including colorful separates designed by its owner, Debbie Kowalski Wilson. Sisters Lisa Cabrinha and Michele Ross created Letarte in 2000 to offer some of the finest swimwear, cover-ups, and sportswear in their signature prints. Both Maui Girl and Letarte suits have adorned the models in Sports Illustrated.
Alice in Hulaland’s and Biasa Rose’s offerings include contemporary clothing for men and women. Alice in Hulaland leans toward the funky and hip, including a wide selection of hats and Havianas flip-flops, perfect for island life. Biasa Rose carries a wide selection of luxury contemporary brands like James Perse in cool comfortable fabrics. Biasa Rose also has a wonderful selection of small leather goods, handbags, totes, and jewelry.
Nuage Bleu is one of the best contemporary boutiques for women on the island and is the perfect spot to pick up the perfect jersey dress or top from brands like Velvet, Fighting Eel, and Susana Monaco. They also carry a wide selection of jewelry made on Maui and leather goods including pieces by Linea Pelle.
Imrie’s Paʻia location carries a selection of modern casual basics in neutral colors with a luxurious bohemian feel including its own private label pieces. Distressed leather belts, bags, and wrap bracelets round out their well-edited selection.
A husband and wife team, Daniel and Caramiya Sullivan own Indigo and design each piece in the store. Walking into Indigo feels like walking into an exotic treasure chest. Indigo is filled with fair trade rugs, up-cycled furniture, linens, and home accessories in prints which will add a global feel to your home. Jewelry, bikinis, and caftans are also wonderful pieces to wear during your stay on Maui and beyond.
Art, pottery, jewelry, and other handmade pieces by local artisans can be found at Maui Hands or Maui Crafts Guild. Many Paʻia galleries feature dynamic and fresh exhibitions of both upcoming and known artists.
While all of the boutiques carry a wonderful selection of jewelry pieces made on Maui, Sophie Grace has a jewelry bar in addition to pre-made pieces where you can choose your chain, beads, and stones and have a custom piece made on-site. The boutique also carries a nice selection of gift items including many pieces perfect for the little ones.
Paʻia is also home to many surf shops including Da Kine, Honolua Surf Co, and Hi-Tech. You can also get your yoga fix with apparel from Lululemon.
Paia Dining
To start off your day, check out Paia Bay Cafe for breakfast and a cappuccino. For lunch, Milagro’s will satisfy your craving for Mexican and Flatbread Pizza serves up lovely thin-crust pizzas made with fresh ingredients.
Café Mambo and Café Des Amis are also worth a look. Paia Fish Market is always packed with customers willing to wait for their famous fish burger.
Paia Gelato will give your sweet tooth a thrill with their creamy gelato made locally from quality ingredients.
A short drive from the shops of Paʻia town, before Hoʻokipa, is Mama’s Fish House, fine dining in a casual atmosphere with locally caught fresh fish specials daily.
Head one mile north of Paia to find the Kuau Store, which offers Hana-bound travelers gourmet picnic lunches to go in addition to a wide variety of Maui-made food items and fresh deli options. Grab a kombucha on tap or Mojo Mojito juice drink to go with The Hot Cuban panini or any of their other delicious sandwiches. Specializing in local food items, this is a great place to stock up on snacks for your adventure along the Road to Hana.
Paia For Sale
If integrity, consistent open communication, and excellent local real estate knowledge are on your list of must-have qualities in your next real estate agent and broker, The Maui Real Estate Team Inc. provides everything you need and more to buy or sell your next home, condo, vacation property and more on Maui. Led by the highly respected Billy Jalbert, Principal Broker and Owner, clients can expect nothing less than excellence from his team of talented, seasoned local agents who are committed to providing you with the best in quality service.
Visit The Maui Real Estate Team for more information or call directly at 1-800-579-1525.
North Shore Hiking
Just east of Paʻia begins Maui’s famous Road to Hana, where waterfalls, bamboo forests, rainbow eucalyptus trees, stunning scenery, and more await. But unless you know where you’re going, the many available sites and stops can easily become overwhelming.
Maui Hiking tours offer private half and full-day adventures of Maui’s north shore waterfalls, many of which you won’t find in a guidebook or on a clearly marked sign.
Enjoy swimming in postcard-worthy locations with help from your local guide, and focus on the adventure rather than the directions!
Tania Ginoza is the writer behind Maui Shop Girl, a lifestyle blog that focuses on design, dining, and life on the island she calls home, Maui No Ka Oi .
