5 Reasons to Love Pāʻia, Maui
On the Valley Isle’s north shore, this former plantation town boasts historic charm, easygoing energy and Island vibes. How can you not fall in love with it?
Spanning just a few blocks, the colorful town of Pāʻia is packed with unique boutiques, surf shops, art galleries and must-try eateries. It’s also just a short walk to Pāʻia Bay, a popular beach for locals, and just a short drive from Hoʻokipa Beach Park, one of the best windsurfing spots in Hawaiʻi.
Once a plantation hub during Maui’s sugarcane era, Pāʻia maintains its old-school character, which can be seen in the town’s rustic architecture and tight-knit community. Today, Pāʻia is known for drawing creatives along with athletes from around the world to surf Hoʻokipa’s waves.
Pāʻia was once a plantation hub during Maui’s sugarcane era.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Whether you’re spending the day on Maui’s north shore or making a pitstop on the Road to Hāna, Pāʻia is worth checking out. And who knows, maybe you’ll fall in love with it, too.
1. Pāʻia Fish Market
Pāʻia Fish Market is at the heart of the town.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
At the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Hāna Highway, Pāʻia Fish Market feels like the cornerstone of the town. The eatery is known for its crispy fish burgers and fresh-caught fish plates, but you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
2. Tobi’s Poke & Shave Ice
Tobi’s has established itself as one of the best poke spots on Maui.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
When Tobi’s first opened, it specialized in top-notch shave ice and quickly became a contender for producing some of the best shave ice on Maui. While the shop still serves outstanding bowls of ultrafine ice doused in sweet syrups, Tobi’s has established itself as a great poke spot, too. The poke plates feature uber-fresh fish over a bed of greens and served with two scoops of rice, which are, of course, finished with furikake.
3. Local Surf Shops and Cute Boutiques
An eclectic array of shops line Pāʻia’s streets.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
From rad surf shops like Hi-Tech Surf Sports to boho-chic boutiques like Biasa Rose and luxury swimwear at Acacia’s flagship store, an eclectic array of shops line Pāʻia’s streets. Whether you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, a new bikini or board shorts, you can certainly enjoy some retail therapy in this town.
4. Mama’s Fish House
Mama’s Fish House is an iconic fine-dining establishment.
Photo: Kevin Allen
Just on the outskirts of town, Mama’s Fish House is an iconic fine-dining establishment. The family-owned restaurant has been around for decades and is known for serving some of the freshest seafood in Hawaiʻi, sourcing fish caught hours earlier by local fishermen. From diver-caught octopus and fish curry to the restaurant’s famous Polynesian Black Pearl (chocolate mousse in a seashell), every course is memorable. Just be sure to make reservations: Tables are hard to secure!
5. Hoʻokipa Beach Park
Hoʻokipa Beach Park is a great place to watch the waves and the athletes surfing them.
Photo: Aaron K. Yoshino
Ho‘okipa Beach Park, just a short drive from the center of Pāʻia, is an ideal spot to relax after a few hours wandering the town. At the beach, you can watch athletes from around the world surfing the waves—whether on the wind, with a kite or on traditional boards. In the summer, calm ocean conditions make it a great place for swimming and snorkeling. But in the winter, conditions change and the waters can be dangerous.
Grace Maeda is the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.
