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Upcountry

At elevations of 1,000 to 4,000 feet on the slopes of Haleakala, Maui’s Upcountry communities of Makawao, Hali’imaile, Olinda, Pukalani, and Kula give way to beautiful departures from the expected tropical landscape and climate. Upcountry residents love their rolling hills, cooler weather, and stunning vistas over North and South Shore Maui. The Upcountry lifestyle is one to adore – those who live here make a wholesome routine of hiking Makawao Forest Reserve, browsing Makawao’s shops, enjoying local restaurants, and roaming the weekly Kula Farmers Market. Upcountry real estate ranges from ultra-luxury equestrian estates with acreage and agricultural potential, to modest single family homes, cozy cottages, and up-to-date condominiums, with choice options between. As home to some of the Island’s best schools, and relatively near the amenities of Central Maui, the area proves a practical place for many Maui families to put down roots. Just inland from North Shore Maui’s bohemian beachtown of Pa’ia and clifftop rainforest of Haiku is Upcountry Makawao. Its roughly 1,400 foot elevation and inland position makes for a drier atmosphere than along the coast. Makawao is quite central, with the beaches of Pa’ia and amenities of Kahului a quick drive away. Upscale boutiques and dining options fill the old western designed Makawao Downtown, providing style, taste, and entertainment for locals and visitors alike. Makawao Forest Reserve is a great resource for hiking and biking, keeping residents in shape and immersed in nature. Right off the Haleakala Highway, Pukalani is another picturesque upcountry community located at similar elevation as Makawao. Pukalani Country Club is a wonderful amenity, with golf course real estate surrounding its periphery. This area tends to be a touch drier than Makawao. Central to Kahului and its neighboring Upcountry communities of Makawao and Pukalani, charming Hali’imaile is located on the descent down Haleakala from Makawao. Options include mid-large single-family homes to modern, turnkey estates. Perched above Makawao on Haleakala is Olinda. Expansive meadows, pine forests, and mountainside mist on the way up to Kula create a serene sense of place different than anywhere else on Isle. At around 3,500 feet elevation, the air is cool, often a welcome detour from Maui’s usual tropical climate. Seabury Hall, one of the most prestigious private schools in Hawaii, is located here. With altitudes of up to 4,000 feet, Kula lends to a far cooler climate than the rest of Maui. Neighboring Ulupalakua hosts Maui’s sole vineyard, with the area being a boon for agriculture. Kula boasts beautiful views of South Maui’s Coastline, Lana’i, and Kaho’olawe. Given the pristine views and privacy of the ‘gentleman’s farms’ along Kula’s serene topography, property in Kula is some most exclusive in Hawaii. From Kula, Haleakala Highway crawls up the mountain slope to the top of the Haleakala, the pinnacle of Maui.