Kula - North

Kula - North

Kula, Maui, is nestled in the higher elevations of Upcountry Maui. The name "Kula" translates to "open meadows" in Hawaiian, reflecting the area's picturesque landscapes and fertile fields. This region, ranging from 1,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation, is often referred to as the breadbasket of Maui due to its agricultural significance.

In the mid to late 1800s, the Great Mahele divided Hawaiian lands for sale, leading to influential families acquiring vast tracts of land in Kula, Keokea, and Ulupalakua. Chinese and Portuguese laborers initially farmed the land, later joined by Japanese and Korean immigrants who have preserved the area's agricultural character.

Today, Kula boasts a unique blend of farming traditions and culinary excellence. The region is renowned for its exotic produce, with many of Maui's best Hawaiʻi Regional Cuisine restaurants sourcing ingredients from local farms. Visitors can enjoy farm tours at places like ʻŌʻō Farm or Hawaiʻi Sea Spirits Organic Farm and Distillery. Additionally, Kula is home to attractions like the Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm, Shim Coffee and Protea Farm Tour, Maui Winery, and the Kula Botanical Gardens.

The community of Kula offers a serene escape from the coastal areas of Maui, with its cooler temperatures and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The area's real estate values rank among the highest in Hawaii due to its desirable qualities such as quaint communities, low traffic, and scenic beauty. Notable landmarks like the Holy Ghost Church, a gift from the king and queen of Portugal to Portuguese plantation workers in 1894, add to Kula's quiet charm.

Our Kula-North walk takes you through the beautiful grounds of the Ocean Vodka Organic Farm with panoramic views of Central Maui and Mauna Kahalawai on the opposite side of the island.