Welcome to Makawao
Halfway up the crater, you’ll find the sweet, eclectic, soulful cowboy town of Makawao. Hawaiian cowboys are “paniolos”, most visitors are surprised to find that there is such a thing as a Hawaiian cowboy. The paniolos of Makawao are legit, don’t be surprised if you see one riding a horse right in town, note too that the main market in town is “The Rodeo Store”, the largest rodeo in the state takes over the town once a year.
Makawao is often referred to as the crossroads of upcountry, in fact, the main intersection is a 4 way stop. Uphill or south, is Olinda Road, a beautiful area of pastures, meadows, farmland, and forest. The road heads steeply up hill to the stunningly beautiful eucalyptus and pine forests of lower Haleakala.
Head east and you’re on Kaupakalua Road which winds aimlessly through endless miles of pastures, farms and gentleman’s estates of Haiku. West from the stop sign is Makawao Ave. which heads through Maui’s loose approximation of suburbia: residential Makawao toward Pukalani. North runs down Baldwin Avenue, past pineapple fields, a cemetery, churches, and a few schools. Baldwin Ave. ends at Paia Town.
Like Paia, there are but a scant few condominium complexes in Makawao. The Gardens Upcountry is in Pukalani as is Liholani Golf Villas.