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Paia

Paia

Rural Neighborhood in Hawaii

Maui County 96779

$2,226,014 Average Value
$2,166 Average Price per Sq Ft
14 Homes For Sale

Easy and breezy living on the tropical shores of Maui

On the island of Maui, Paia residents live life like a never-ending honeymoon. Resting on a bend of the island's northern shoreline, Paia is one of Maui’s hippest towns and, especially on Maui, which is known for its serene, grassy slopes and peaceful atmosphere, the neighborhood's eclectic and trendy vibe stands out as a vibrant beacon for those looking for a fun spot to enjoy hanging out in on the island where time seems to stand still. Paia is also known as the birthplace of the island’s windsurfing passion, which began with one simple camp store in the 1890s catering to a multicultural mix of Paia Sugar Mill employees. Once known as the last stop on the epic “Road to Hana,” a 65-mile journey through rainforest and beachfront terrain, Paia is now the hotspot of Maui’s most laid-back and eclectic charm. Jordan Kamikawa, a local resident and Realtor with Hawaii Life Real Estate Brokers, says, “Paia is a historic town that has a fun, hippie-like vibe. There’s a delightful mix of restaurants, boutique shops and beaches to visit." Paia is also a "Great town to stop in before or after the trek to Hana, as it's one of the last ‘bigger’ towns before you head to East Maui,” says Kamikawa. Many young tourists and residents alike do just this, taking colorful photos around the quirky town, especially by the vibrant surfboard array at the Aloha Surf Hostel. With beaches right out the front door, a charming small town to enjoy and plenty of Aloha spirit, Paia is the place to be when looking for an island home that's just as bohemian as it is breathtaking.

Heading outdoors on Maui's northern coast

Locals and visitors find a wealth of recreation in Paia along the famed Hana Highway. Lined by natural, scenic beaches along Maui's northern coastline, Paia residents can head out to the water anytime they want. Stop by Ho’okipa Beach and bring a board or windsurfer to practice carving the waves and catching a breeze. This beach, known for its great surf and rocky shoreline, is also the birthplace of windsurfing and is renowned as the mecca for windsurfing on a professional level. For something more lowkey, residents can head over to Kaulahoa Beach on the Ku'au Bay where they'll find a more natural vibe. Considered one of Maui’s more secluded gems, locals can stroll along this uncrowded stretch of coarse sand to marvel at Hawaiian green sea turtles as they visit the land to lay eggs in a section reserved for their habitat. When looking for somewhere that's swimwear-optional, Paia Secret Beach is a bit more off the beaten path and is almost exclusively enjoyed by local Paia residents.

Diverse styles and price points for Hawaii homes

Because Paia is a low-rise community, many residents have open views of the sky, ocean or mountains from their homes in the neighborhood. While prices can vary dramatically depending on lot size, location and view, most homes here fall between beachfront estates with grand lawns that sell for nearly $6 million, renovated 1950s ranch-style homes just steps from the beach selling for around $3 million and beachy, 1930s Hawaiian farmhouse homes further inland for around $800,000 dollars. Homebuyers can also find oceanfront condos in Sugar Cove, where homes were mostly built in the '70s and feature broad flat roofs and muted, island-toned color palettes. Condos like these are extremely hard to come by, as owners relish the proximity to Maui Country Club’s fairways, tennis courts, swimming pool and dining.

Hawaii public schools close to home

Public school students can attend school in town at Pa'ia Elementary, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche and ranks at 8 out of 10 for academic progress on GreatSchools. Every May, the Pa'ia Elementary community holds a Pa’ia La ‘Ohana Day festival, sharing stories and songs honoring Hawaiian ancestors and celebrating their school family’s diverse cultures. Older students, meanwhile, head over to neighboring Makawao to find Samuel Enoka Kalama Intermediate and King Kekaulike High, which earned C-plus and B-plus ratings according to Niche.

Eclectic and quaint shopping and dining in Paia

Today, Paia’s bright wooden shops still reflect the early nineteenth-century charm with which they were built, and people worldwide come to enjoy its vintage character and tropical vibe. Dozens of quaint boutiques offer designer swimwear, art, jewelry and home décor. And, true to its international roots, residents will find an amazing mix of cuisine including Brazilian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and more. It’s a special place to discover artisan creations and a world of flavors during the day, as well as kick back with live jams at night. Further along the coast, residents need a reservation to dine at the legendary Mama’s Fish House which opened in 1973 to offer fresh seafood at a time when most Maui eateries were steak-centric. Mama’s Fish House remains a treasured local landmark, treating diners to splendid ocean scenery and authentic Hawaiian and Polynesian fare. When cooking at home, residents can keep their kitchens stocked with local, organic and natural foods from Ku'au Store or Mana Foods. Kamikawa says, “One of the staples of Paia that really showcases the overall character of the area is Mana Foods, a natural foods grocery store, deli and bakery. Paia Fish Market is another gem, featuring fresh fish tacos, sandwiches, and fish and chips.” You can also travel 5 miles or so into Kahului for larger retailers such as Whole Foods, Safeway, CVS and Costco.

Windsurfing at Ho’okipa Beach

In the 1970s, decades after Paia’s sugar operation closed, a group of surfers discovered ideal wind conditions at Ho’okipa Beach, and the joy of windsurfing was born on Maui. Fueled by their innovation, these windsurfing originators ultimately sponsored the Maui Grand Prix — Maui’s first wave contest in windsurfing history. Since the '70s, many windsurfing pros honed their skills in Paia and have developed their own custom board lines.

Getting around the island of Maui

Although Paia residents have just about everything they need right in town, should they want to explore the island, Hana Highway (Hawaii State Highway 36) goes right through town and around most of Maui's eastern portions. To get to another island or travel abroad, residents can head to Kahului Airport just 7 miles down the road along Hana Highway; inter-islands can be found for as low as $40 dollars. In case of medical emergencies, residents can head about 20 miles south on Kula Highway to find Kaiser Permanente.

Bayley Malo
Written By
Bayley Malo

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Bob Hansen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Kahului

9 min drive

Bus

Hana Hwy. & Kuau Mart (To Kahului)

Bus

Paia Town & Public Parking (To Kahului)

Bus

Paia Town & Charley's (To Kahului)

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Paia US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 2 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 3 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$1,895,000
Median Single Family Price
$3,095,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$737,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$2,166
Number of Homes for Sale
14
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Months of Supply
16.80
Median List Price
$2,997,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
30%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
833
Median Year Built
1986
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,639
Below the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,201
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,480
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
564
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Apr 26
    11am - 3pm

    78 Aleiki Place Unit A, Paia, HI 96779

    $3,195,000

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,082 Sq Ft
    • 78 Aleiki Place
    • Unit A

    78 Aleiki Place A is a waterman’s dream retreat, where ocean views, world-class surf breaks, and effortless island living converge. Positioned directly across from the ocean in Kuau Point, one of Maui’s most sought-after oceanfront enclaves, this 2025-renovated Residential CPR Unit A offers seamless indoor-outdoor living, breathtaking views, and unparalleled access to Maui’s North Shore coastal

    Agent Photo
    Chelsea Dimin
    Compass
    (808) 435-8111
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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Bob Hansen, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,493
Median Age
41
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$92,499
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,722

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.9%
College Graduates
31.4%
Advanced Degrees
8.8%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
72.3%
Above the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
16''
Average Winter Low Temperature
64°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

36 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

2 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Paia
Bob Hansen
Maui Luxury Real Estate LLC
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