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Hawaiian Vacation for Two!
Explore Makawao
Published: 06/21/2007
From high on the cool, green slopes of Haleakala, peers the eye of the forest, Makawao Town. Looking out on changes good and bad throughout this century, Makawao has managed to cultivate a unique blend of old and new.
What was once a rough and tumble cowboy town is now a lively community of entrepreneurs that mixes a general store and an old fashioned barber shop with health food, fine art, restaurants, and a collection of boutiques unrivaled throughout the islands. Old timers and new agers live side by side in upcountry harmony. Art, clothing, and gifts designed to delight every taste now decorate windows that once held homegrown produce and jars filled with 3 for a penny candies.
Park your car in the lot on Makawao Avenue and take a stroll through a town like no other youll encounter. And get ready to shop... With shops as distinctively different as this spunky little cowboy town itself, youll find 12 boutiques, 11 galleries, 7 eateries, hair salons, a bakery, health food, a yoga center, Chinese herbs, cappuccino, a sportsbar, and a general store that carries a selection of wine that will surprise even the experienced connoisseur.
Each year, on the weekend following the 4th of July, all the island gets together at Oskie Rice Arena to celebrate at the Makawao Rodeo. Preceded by the famous rodeo parade, paniolos from all over the state compete for prizes in bull riding, calf roping, barrel racing, and whatever unique rodeo fare our organizers deem judgeable. The parade, with stagecoach, floats, hula groups, antique cars, and good fun for all, displays some of the finest horses and riders on Maui.
This is not the only time the community gets together to celebrate. May is the month the local art community meets in the streets to compete in the Great Makawao Paint Out. The contest results can be seen at Viewpoints Gallery at the end of the month.
The art scene in Makawao has become quite a phenomenon and is on its way to rivaling Lahaina and Wailea in popularity. With galleries and studios up and down the streets, the New York Times has referred to Makawao as the Sedona of the Pacific. Saturday Is the day the magic happens in the art world. Many artists are in the galleries on that day, so its a great time to check out Magic in Makawao.
Until the 1940s, the town of Makawao provided such things as groceries, kerosene, horseshoe nails, and dried squid to the surrounding farming community. When 34,000 servicemen from the 4th Marine Division settled in just over the hill, the town was changed... as was the society that supported it. When the marines went home, Makawao became a collection of closed stores with just a handful of survivors. Over the years, many new businesses came and went. It was not until the 1980s that things began to stabilize, and the Makawao of today took shape.
If youre looking for the real Hawaii, the one the local folks call home... take a drive Upcountry. After youve spent the early hours of the morning at Haleakala Crater, Makawao is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a day on Maui. Visit one of the many art galleries, watch a glass blower at work, shop till you drop and have dinner at your choice of restaurants. If youre not a shopper, check out the energy center for a massage or yoga class. Or get your nails done. Or sip cappuccino at a cafe on the street. Or stop into the local sportsbar. Or go horseback riding at Piiholo Ranch. Theres so much to see and do, there must be something just for you. Hawaii is more than just a beach... spend some time discovering the real Hawaii.
Locations
Maui, Upcountry, Makawao
Photo Gallery - Explore Makawao
Click here for Slideshow. You can also click on any of the photos to start slideshow.
