Hawaii is easily one of the most hippie states in the entire country. After all, the laid-back vibes, Aloha Spirit, and tropical weather are all true markings of a hippie paradise. You could probably point your finger at any Hawaiian town and find a population of hippies. But with a culture focused on nature, yoga, surfing, and natural foods, Maui is easily the most hippie of the Hawaiian Islands, and nowhere will you find more hippies per capita than in the small town of Paia, nestled on the island’s northern shore.
While the adorable seaside town is gaining traction with tourists, it is still often seen as merely a spot to refuel, grab some food, and head out on the Hana Highway. But it is so much more than that, and you will never regret a day trip — or even a weekend getaway — to this perfect little Hawaii hippie commune.
Just four miles from Kahului on Maui’s famous Road to Hana is Paia, a small beach town big on charm. The town is not only known for its epic surfing and windsurfing waves, but is the epicenter of Maui’s north shore, and is full of artsy, bohemian vibes.
With a variety of beautiful beaches nearby, quirky boutiques, delicious eateries, inspiring galleries, scrumptious coffee shops, hip antique stores, and – of course – stellar surf shops, Paia is one of our favorite Hawaii towns to explore.
The history of this eclectic surfing town on Maui’s north shore can be traced to the opening of the Paia Sugar Mill in 1880. Plantation camps housed workers of Chinese, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, and Native Hawaiian descent, and in 1896, the Paia Store was opened to support the needs of immigrant sugar workers.
As the main hub of Maui’s north shore, Paia has undoubtedly experienced waves of change in the last several decades, but it still is overflowing with the energy of its plantation past. Today, approximately 2,700 people call the sleepy surfside town of Paia home.
Despite all of Paia's charm and incredible beaches, the town has managed to avoid becoming gentrified or touristy, and is home a unique mix of eccentric and colorful individuals who are undoubtedly drawn to the town's bohemian atmosphere and laid-back vibes. Street musicians and hippies can be found along the boulevards on the way to the ocean.
The small, half-mile main drag packs in a ton of cool boutiques, surf and swimwear shops, fine art galleries, tattoo parlors, a bike shop, and even a hemp store… the list goes on. Oh, and you can’t forget about Mana Foods, the most well-known natural food store on Maui.
Paia is also incredibly spiritual, as well. The Great Paia Lha Bab Peace Stupa is the gateway to the Maui Dharma Center, and is dedicated to the late Lama Tenzin, the center's first full-time resident teacher, who passed in 2001. Construction on the Stupa began in 2005, and was finished just in time to be consecrated by the Dalai Lama, on his Holiness' historic visit to Maui in 2007.
Stay the night at either the Paia Inn, or the semi-secret villas at Mama’s Fish House, then head on your way to explore the rest of Maui’s famous Hana Highway.
You see, you won't find any major hotels, resorts, or condos in Paia; there are a few other vacation rentals scattered throughout the town, but only the two major accommodation destinations.
Not sure where to eat in Paia, a bona fide Hawaii hippie commune? For mouthwatering seafood in a laid-back atmosphere, check out Paia Fish Market, and for an upscale dinner, head to Mama’s Fish House, one of Hawaii’s best restaurants.
Of course, Paia is just one of many amazing and welcoming communities in Hawaii; here are some other top spots to visit -- and even put down roots -- in the Aloha State!
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