Upcountry Maui community known for its cool climate, panoramic views, botanical gardens, and agricultural charm nestled along the slopes of Haleakalā.
General Information
How to Get There
From Kahului, HI (18 mi): Take HI-37 S (Haleakalā Hwy) for about 35 minutes to reach the heart of Kula.
Overview
Kula (“open meadows”) is Maui’s up-country district on the western slopes of Haleakalā, stretching about 16 miles from Makawao and Haleakalā Highway to Keokea and Ulupalakua. Most homes sit between about 1,600 and 3,600 feet, and its cooler, moderate climate is favored by full-time residents over the hotter, busier resort towns of Kīhei and Lahaina. It is Maui’s largest district, crossing dry coastal areas up to the high pastures of three major ranches, Haleakalā, Erewhon and Ulupalakua.
Upper Kula
Kekaulike Avenue (Highway 377) winds through green pastures, silver eucalyptus groves and, in late spring, blue jacaranda trees. There is little commercial development beyond Kula Botanical Garden and Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm. Vegetable and flower farms line the road, thriving on open space, good soil and filtered sun, and the moderate climate can yield three or four harvests a year.
Lower Kula
Lower Kula lies between about 1,200 and 2,800 feet along Lower Kula Road, the old county road that crosses the modern Kula Highway (finished in 1964) several times between Pukalani and Keokea. It has few businesses and some historic churches, notably the octagonal Holy Ghost Catholic Church with a hand-carved altar and a turret visible from much of Central Maui. Portuguese immigrants built it in 1894.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Kula, Hawaii", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0
