Upcountry Maui is a great place to live - Makawao, Pukalani and Kula
Maui has so much to offer, and so many diverse climates. The area known as UPCOUNTRY includes the towns of Makawao, Pukalani, and Kula. (I guess parts of Haiku would also be considered upcountry, but Haiku usually gets included as North Shore, along with Paia.) What they all have is common is that they are on the slopes of our predominant mountain, Haleakala. The upcountry area rises above the central valley which is more or less at sea level. The temperatures are cooler and the pace of life is more relaxed up here.
Makawao and Pukalani share a zip code - 96768. Unless of course, you get your mail delivered to a PO Box in Pukalani, and then you have another zip code - 96788. Don't ask why this is, it just is. There is a little separation between Makawao and Pukalani, with Haleakala Highway being the main demarcation. The elevation here is about 1,500 - 1,600 ft, until you climb up above Makawao into Olinda where it gets much higher.
Buy a home in Makawao Maui ~ Buy a home in Pukalani Maui
Kula has the zip code of 96790. Don't ask me where Pukalani stops and Kula starts, but in general we consider it to be once you drive past the Kula 200 subdivision on your left, and Kulamalu on your right. Again, more confusion with the names! Kula sits a little higher up on the mountain, with more extensive vertical range too, about 1,800 - 3,700 ft. Some parts of Kula can be very cold, by Hawaiian standards. Fireplaces and wood stoves are a common addition to most homes in Kula.
Find a home for sale in Kula Maui
You can really see the climate change drastically when you drive from downtown Makawao all the way to Kula. Like from 70 inches of rain a year to 25 inches in just 8 miles or so. If you're trying to decide where to live you can pretty much pick your climate. As you can imagine, as the location gets rainier, the home prices tend to get lower, in general.
All of the upcountry region is very rural and suitable for farming. Some of Maui's famous products are grown here, such as Maui onions, Kula strawberries, tuberose, and persimmons. You might be surprised to know that peaches, apples and almonds grow in Kula, though not on a commercial scale.
Some tourist highlights of upcountry:
- Oskie Rice Arena and Rodeo Grounds
- Hui No'eau Arts Center
- Pukalani Country Club Golf Course
- Alii Kula Lavender Farm
- Surfing Goat Dairy
- Ulupalakua Ranch
- upcountry dining
Many large ranches blanket the landscape upcountry, with Haleakala Ranch and Ulupalakua Ranch being a couple of the well known neighbors. Cattle are the main livestock raised upcountry, and there's also some sheep, goats, and elk. Wild axis deer are quite widespread up here too.
At the apex of upcountry is the crowning jewel of Haleakala National Park. If you have never seen this wonder, you should make a point of getting there, because it is truly spectacular. With an easy drive all the way to the 10,000 ft elevation, it's a great day trip, or an even better overnight trip with some careful planning.
Upcountry Maui is just a great place to live! Search the Maui MLS for all the great properties for sale.
Let me help you find the right location and property so you can start living in upcountry Maui!
Georgie Hunter R(S) e-Pro, Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers
161 Wailea Ike Place C-103B, Wailea HI 96753
127 Hana Hwy. #G, Paia HI 96779
800 667-5028 ex 8241
direct: 808 283-0635
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