The quiet community of Kula is situated in “upcountry” Maui, the region beginning at an elevation of around 1,500 feet above sea level on the Haleakalā volcano. Characterized by rolling hills, farms and ranch lands, an absolutely perfect climate, staggering views, and all the charm of old Hawaiʻi, this peaceful, picturesque part of Maui’s east side lives up to its name (meaning “field,” “open country,” or “pasture” in Hawaiian).
Between March and June, many visitors make their way up to Kula just to see its extraordinary jacaranda trees (with peak bloom time generally happening in April and May). There’s more to Kula than just scenic drives, though – for a relatively sleepy area, it has a surprising array of other attractions in store. Read on, and check out my next few blog posts, for the inside scoop!
Kula Lodge
Originally constructed in 1948 as a private home, Kula Lodge was converted into vacation accommodations and a restaurant in the early 1950s. From its unique vantage point, nestled into the hills of Haleakalā at an elevation of around 3,200 feet, it provides sweeping vistas of south, west, and central Maui. Brunch and dinner are served every Wednesday through Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with happy hour specials available on cocktails, beer, wine, well drinks, pūpūs, and pizzas daily from 3 to 5 p.m.
In the Lodge Restaurant & Bar, you’ll find a quaint upcountry atmosphere, complete with a cozy fireplace. Brunch menu items include everything from Hawaiian omelets, loco moco, and oatmeal brûlée, to salads, sandwiches, and burgers. At dinner time, the fine dining possibilities range from seared ahi to rack of lamb, and from coq au vin to mushroom risotto.
For those who prefer open-air dining, the Garden Terrace restaurant offers a selection of dishes from the Lodge’s menu, along with the option of creating your own pizza, to be prepared in the outdoor wood-burning oven. Streams and waterfalls wind their way down the three levels of dining gazebos in the terrace area, surrounded by lovely, vibrant gardens and panoramic views.
Kula Lodge also has a full-service bar, weekly Wednesday wine specials, and wine tastings every other Thursday. And don’t forget to check out Kula Marketplace, also on site, which showcases gifts and crafts from more than 200 Hawaiʻi businesses and artists. This is the perfect place to stop on the way to or from a Haleakalā adventure!
Kula Country Farms
Open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. year-round, Kula Country Farms has been proudly family-owned for four generations. Their farm stand features a wide variety of fresh, locally sourced produce options, like Kula strawberries, Kula onions, blueberries, asparagus, zucchini, cucumber, and squash. Visitors will also find a selection of local herbs, honey, jams, flowers, and baked goods, in a charming setting with a backdrop of incredible Kula views.
From February through June at Kula Country Farms, you can pick your own strawberries! And if you’re looking for a fun fall activity, the pumpkin patch typically opens in late September. Stop in to pick your own pumpkins and decorative gourds, check out the sunflower patch and the children’s garden, pet some farm animals, and enjoy drinks and snacks in the picnic area while soaking up the scenery.
The farm also has a Little Free Library, and Maile Tea Company is open on site every Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Every third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the pop-up Kula Country Market appears, giving Maui’s artisans and businesses a venue for sharing their goods. And Kula Country Farms hosts other community events periodically as well, like an eco-friendly thrift market.
Grandma’s Coffee House
Another family-owned business for over thirty years, Grandma’s Coffee House has been a longtime favorite among Maui residents. Grandma’s built a reputation based on their hand-picked, organic coffee, grown at an elevation of about 3,000 to 3,500 feet on Haleakalā and roasted in-house. But it’s not just the coffee that keeps people coming back – it’s the comfortable, make-yourself-at-home vibe – and of course the fantastic food!
The breakfast possibilities at Grandma’s cover all the bases, from coconut-crusted sweet bread French toast, to acai bowls, to a kalua pork plate. For lunch, choose anything from a sandwich to saimin, from meatloaf to macadamia nut pesto pasta, and from shoyu chicken to an ono lunch plate. Grandma’s opens their doors daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thompson Road
Once you’ve had a tasty breakfast at Grandma’s Coffee House, why not take a beautiful walk? Just past Grandma’s on Kula Highway, Thompson Road offers a 3-mile (total, out and back) trek with particularly spectacular panoramas. The road is paved, with only a slight elevation gain in a couple of sections, making it fairly accessible for all ages and fitness levels.
To the left as you head out, you’ll see the dramatic green slopes of the Haleakalā volcano. To the right, beyond a low lava rock wall, you’ll have gorgeous views of Maui’s central valley, the ocean, the islands of Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe, and the Molokini crater.
Other than birdsong, the only sound you’re likely to hear on Thompson Road is the occasional truck driving by at a crawl. You may encounter as many horses as vehicles, though – along with a variety of colorful wildflowers and more Jacaranda trees. Near the end of the road, you’ll come upon some pretty impressive ranch homes, including the one owned by one of Maui’s most famous residents, Oprah Winfrey.
There’s a little shade at the beginning of the Thompson Road walk, and temperatures may be cool when you start out, depending on the time of day and time of year. Once you’ve passed approximately the 0.4-mile point, though, you’ll have sun the rest of the way – so wear layers you can shed and bring sunscreen!
After you’ve finished the Thompson Road walk, you may want to continue on to one of Kula’s other great attractions, like MauiWine. You can read more about that in my next blog post!
And as always, I’d love to hear from you if you want to know more about Maui communities, life on Maui, or Maui real estate.
Leslie Mackenzie Smith, REALTOR(S), RS-42147
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