Kula is the largest of the three districts in Upcountry Maui. It is located on the western slope of the dormant volcano Mount Haleakala. Kula's rolling terrain of mineral-rich volcanic soil and its temperate climate makes the region ideal for farming and ranching.
Kula is home to three large ranches -Haleakala Ranch, Kaonoulu Ranch, and Ulupalakua Ranch. The vast land is also known for its gardens, flower farms, goat dairy farm, coffee plantation, and sweet Maui onions. Kula Town has a few artsy stores selling local products and cute cafes and restaurants.
Kula is the ideal town for those looking to enjoy the scenic view of the islands of Maui without the hot, humid climate. Its rural vibe and mild temperature make Kula the go-to place for many full-time residents and visitors looking to escape the busy beach crowd. Here are a few things you need to know if you consider moving to Kula Town.
Climate
The higher elevation, coupled with the movement of the trade winds, makes the temperature in Kula Town cool. It was named the coolest place in Hawaii by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration because it has the lowest average annual temperature (average temperature of 55.7 °F).
Summer High: the July high is around 75 °F
Winter Low: the January low is 53 °F
Rain: averages 30 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 0 inches of snow a year
*Source: https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/city/hawaii/kula
Cost of Living
Kula is a prime location with a total population of 6,942. According to this report, the cost of living in this district is at 194.2 index compared to the US average of 100. The median household income is $93,058, and the median home value is $927,409.
The heavenly beauty of Kula town comes with a price. If you have the financial capacity, this could mean that properties here are also a worthy investment.
Points of Interest in Kula
Kula’s geographical location makes every part of this town a wonderful place to visit. Almost all destinations in Kula offer a panoramic view of the sea, mountains, and sky. Listed below are just a few of the places worth touring in Kula.
Historical Landmarks
Address: 4300 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Contact Number: (808) 878-1091
Website: https://www.kulacatholiccommunity.org/
Also known as Holy Ghost Mission, Holy Ghost Catholic Church is the historic octagon-shaped Roman Catholic church building in the Kula district which can be seen from the shores of South Maui. It was built in 1894 as a gift from the king and queen of Portugal to the Portuguese plantation workers. Aside from mass service, weddings, baptisms, and religious education, the church also has a gift shop. If you come during the Feast of the Holy Ghost, you can witness a three-day festival.
Address: 8992 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Opens 10 AM
Contact Number: (808) 878-1485
Website: https://www.stjohnsmaui.org/
Address: 638 Kekaulike Ave, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 9 AM-4 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-1715
Entrance Fee: $10.00 for adult / $3.00 for children ages 6-12 years old /
Free for children under six years old
Kula Botanical Garden is an eight-hectare family-owned botanical garden located on the slopes of Haleakala. It has a collection of hundreds of colorful and unique plants labeled with their botanical name, common name, and country of origin. The garden also has impressive rock formations, waterfalls, a koi pond, an aviary, and a tiki exhibit.
Kula Botanical Garden offers snacks, restrooms, and a comfortable deck with a scenic view. There is also a gift shop that sells assorted local items.
Address: 5700 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Contact Number: (808) 572-1836 / +1 808 572-8122
Email: Alvin.Kametani@co.maui.hs.us
This 3.8-acre park in upcountry Maui was named after Maui's former chairman Harold W. Rice. The park has a sweeping view of the West Maui mountains and coastline. The cool breeze paired with the amazing view makes Harold Rice Park a nice stop-over or picnic place.
Address: 1100 Waipoli Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Friday – Monday 10 AM – 4 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-3004
Website: https://www.aliikulalavender.com/
Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm was created by Ali'I Chang on 13.5 acres and is roughly 4,000 feet above sea level. Though not native to Maui, Ali'i was able to cultivate approximately 55,000 lavender plants with 20 different varieties. The beautiful lavender farm is still open even after Ali'I's passing in 2011. The farm has a gift shop on location from which you can purchase different lavender products, including lavender-infused tea and biscuits.
Address: 218 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 7 AM – 7 PM
Contact Number: (808) 572-8122
Keokea Beach Park is a hidden gem visited mainly by the locals. The beach is well maintained but too rough and not suitable for swimming. It is, however, a wonderful spot to pass the time while having a picnic and watching the waves and surfers.
Address: 13434 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: 24 Hours
Contact Number: (808) 572-8122
Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park is a small roadside park in Keokea built in Memory of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, known as the father of modern China. Today the park features a bronze statue of Yat-Sen and a few other memorial statues. The view of the sunset is spectacular from this park.
Stores / Marketplaces
Address: 4581 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 7 AM – 7 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-2578
Morihara Store is a long-standing grocery that offers a variety of hot food, local fruits, produce, and meats, among other grocery items.
Address: 15200 Haleakala Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Friday – Tuesday 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-2135
Email: manager@kulamarketplace.com
Kula Marketplace is a local shop that sells a wide variety of local products from local people and artists. Their products include food, jewelry, ornaments, and more from over 200 local vendors.
Address: 6240 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday 9 AM – 4 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-8381
Website: https://kulacountryfarmsmaui.com/
Kula Country Farms is a farm that supplies local stores. They also have their farm stand across Rice Park, selling 100% fresh local produce, food, gifts, and more.
Address: 9226 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 9 AM – 6 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-1525
Henry S. Fong’s General Store was established in the 1940s by Henry S. Fong. It used to run a theater in 1936. The small store looks the same as it did in the 1940s.
Accommodations & Dining
Address: 15200 Haleakala Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday 9 AM – 2:30 PM / Saturday – Monday 7:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-1535
Website: https://kulalodge.com/
Built on the slope of Mount Haleakala, Kula Lodge & Restaurant provides a breathtaking view of the mountains and the shores. It has a lodge restaurant, bar, garden terrace restaurant, and five vacation lodges.
The food at Kula Lodge Restaurant is known to be excellent. The brick oven pizza is one of their best sellers. At this restaurant, you can enjoy dining with a majestic view of the sky, shores, and mountain greens.
Kula Sandalwoods Café & Cottages
Address: 15427 Haleakala Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Café: Friday to Sunday 7:30 AM – 12 PM
Monday to Thursday 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Cottages Check-in Time: 6 PM / Check-out Time: 10 AM
Contact Number: (808) 878-3523
Website: https://kulasandalwoods.com/
Email: info@kulasandalwoods.com
Kula Sandalwoods Café & Cottages is a low-key budget inn with a café. They have three cottages, each with a private toilet and bath. There is also a café on site that serves complimentary coffee and homemade breakfast to checked-in guests. Visitors can access the gazebo & terrace to view the ocean.
Restaurants & Cafés
Address: 3158 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Sunday 8 AM – 2 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-1313
La Provence is a pastry shop and restaurant that serves authentic French cuisine and pastries. This restaurant allows a full outdoor dining set-up where one can eat while enjoying the majestic view from the mountains.
Address: 4566 Lower Kula Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 7:30 AM – 10:15 AM / 11 AM – 8 PM
Contact Number: (808) 871-2960
Website: http://kulabistro.com/
Kula Bistro is a casual family-style restaurant that serves home-style food with an Italian flair. It is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They serve local favorites, pizza, and pasta and allow you to BYOB.
Address: 9232 Kula Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Friday to Thursday 7 AM –2 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-2140
Website: https://www.grandmascoffeehousemaui.com/
Grandma's Coffee Shop was opened in 1918. It is housed in a rustic plantation-style cottage. They serve gourmet Arabica coffee, which is organically grown and manually processed at their farm. Their coffee is one of Hawaii's premier gourmet coffees and is available on a limited basis. Aside from their wonderful coffee concoctions, they also serve breakfast and lunch.
Address: 14815 Piilani Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-6058
Website: https://mauiwine.com/
Maui Wine is set on 23 acres of south-facing Maui countryside. Their wine-making facilities, rooms, and cellar are all from the buildings of the former Rose Ranch. They make wine out of 6 grape varieties: Syrah, Malbec, Grenache, Chenin Blanc, Viognier, and Gewurztraminer farmed at Ulupalakua Ranch. They also make wine out of Maui Gold variety pineapples to promote them. Their farm is open to visitors and wine enthusiasts looking to purchase wines.
Ulupalakua Ranch Store & Grill
Address: 4800 Piilani Hwy, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11 AM – 5 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-2561
Website: http://ulupalakuaranch.com/
Ulupalakua Ranch Store and Grill offers burgers made from beef, lamb, elk, and venison from their own farm. They are known to serve one of the best burgers on the island. They use local fresh fruit and produce. Aside from their freshly prepared food, they also have other locally made gift items for sale.
Farms
Address: 651 Waipoli Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Contact Number: (808) 856-0965
O'o Farm is an 8.5 hectare diversified sustainable farm in Upcountry Maui. Their tours should be booked in advance. While on tour, you may pick vegetables that can be used in the gourmet meals they will serve to you. O'o Farm supplies its produce to many stores and restaurants all over Maui. Coming here is a one-of-a-kind experience.
Address: 625 Middle Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 3 PM
Contact Number: (808) 876-0055
Website: http://www.shimfarmtour.com/
Shim Farm is located in Kula’s rustic Chinatown area. One may book a tour to experience the farm’s coffee, protea, and botanical farm.
Address: 3651 Omaopio Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact Number: (808) 878-2870
Website: https://www.surfinggoatdairy.com/
Surfing Goat Dairy was established in 1998 by Thomas and Eva Kafsack. They produce more than two dozen kinds of goat's cheeses and have won 18 national awards for cheese. They offer farm tours for small groups where children and adults can pet and interact with the dairy goats.
Address: 170 Hoomaikai Pl, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Reservation only tour Friday 9:30 AM
Contact Number: (808) 756-3958
Website: https://www.haleakalacreamery.com/
Heleakala Creamery is a privately owned dairy goat farm built on a five acre property on the slopes of Haleakala. They are known for their "Goatlato" ice cream, chevre, and goat milk caramel sauces sold through local stores and online. They offer a 75-minute "Farm-to-Spoon" reservation-only tour every Friday where one can interact and milk the goats as well as see how their caramel sauces are made. The tour is finished off with food tasting of the fresh cheese, "Goatlatto" ice cream, and rich caramel sauces.
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery
Address: 4051 Omaopio Rd, Kula, HI 96790
Operating Hours: Daily 11:30 AM – 7 PM
Contact Number: (808) 877-0009
Website: https://oceanvodka.com/
Ocean Vodka Organic Farm and Distillery was started by Shay Smith and his family in 2004. They use sugarcane farmed organically and deep ocean water in their distilled spirits. When their family business started growing, they collaborated with industry experts in farming, distilling, and business operations.
Currently, their business includes the production of award-winning distilled spirits, giving guided tours in their farm & distillery, café, and local wine store.
Kula's elevated location allows an unobstructed breathtaking view of both the shorelines and the West Maui Mountain. It has the ideal cool weather, access to fresh meat and produce at the farmer's markets, and is still relatively near the beaches but far enough to escape the busy tourist crowd. The town also offers many unique places to visit and enjoy. Kula draws in people who enjoy their privacy and the community's laid-back rural vibe.
If you are interested in acquiring or selling property in Kula, let our team assist you. With Kula as one of our team’s specialties, you can rest assured that you get the best guidance in all your real estate property dealings in the area. Our team is committed to making the buying and selling of real estate in Kula, Upcountry Maui, a pleasurable and rewarding experience. Don't miss this chance and get in touch with us today. Our Maui Property website makes it easy to navigate through all active homes, condos, and land parcels available in the area.