Paia Maui’s North Shore Island Life!
If you are staying in
Wailea or Kaanapali there is a real good chance you will end up visiting Maui’s north shore in quaint Paia Town. The
North Shore has been my home for over thirty years. After a while you come to appreciate the character of the town. 25 years ago it was a goast town, but today it is a booming surf town on the north shore. In the old days there were locals, surfers or hippies making up the scene in town,
For generations Paia town was a plantation town. This is where people came to buy there goods from mom and pop stores own by Chinese or Japanese shop owners. I really like the small town and community feeling before is started growing. People worked hard in the fields raising sugar cane and pineapple in the fields for long hours.
My wife’s family, her mom being Pilipino, her Grandparents lived in camp towns in Paia area. This was generations that worked hard in the fields. My wife’s father were Japanese and Chinese immigrants and through in a little Hawaiian for the mix. They also spent years working hard in the fields. Encouraging there kids to go to college and make lives for them selves and here we are today.
Modern Paia social make up has changed. The Mom and Pop stores are closing down for surf shops, restaurants, specialty shops and coffee stores that we all need. It is sad to see the old days passing away, change does happen but there was a quality of life that was meaningful. I do miss the simple days when everyone drove beater cars and enjoying the out doors. Getting together and eating and playing music was the norm. Actually we had a great jam session last night in Haiku with people from all over the island and the Big Island, good grinds and jamming music.
Paia is a blend of surfers that have been here since the early days. Then followed the windsurfers. The North Shore has become the Mecca of windsurfing and kite boarding.
I remember surfing the point at Hookipa the first days that Mike Walsh World Champion sailor first sail out at the point. That was the beginning of Hookipa becoming a world class windsurf destination an it still is.
If you live on the north shore you will become familiar with the old and new pros that call north shore home. Names such as Naish, Pritchard Brothers, Klaus and Malta Simmer. Dave Kalama, strap surfer Laird Hamilton. Ian Walsh big wave charger and Pro surfer Micah Nickens my son who is a hard core ripper in the surf.
Having surfed Hoopika for over 36 yrs you see many come and go at Hookipa. Legendary surfer Jerry Lopez was a regular in the line up. It was awesome to paddle out every day with one of the greats and surf uncrowed perfect waves.
As time passes you pass the baton to the younger generation. Now my sons and there friends are charging 60ft Jaws and ripping up the point. I am still out there in the line up, it’s like an old saying the older I get the better I was.
So northshore Maui is a very special place and attracts very special people. Now Paia is a mix of artist, musicians, waterman and people that just love island living. So as time passes we find that the old with the new do mix and bring a special blend of community that is unique and special.
So if Maui north shore might interest you give me a call. My son Micah is a pro surfer and real agent on the north shore also. So please me a call I would love to work with you to find your dream home in Spreckelsville, Paia, Kuau or Haiku area. With 14 years experience in Maui real estate and 18 yrs experience as a licensed contractor I have the expertise and experience to make your Maui dream come true.
Aloha,
Steven Nickens R(S) GRI ABR
The Wailea Group LLC.
3750 Wailea, Alanui ,suite 5 WE
Wailea, Maui, Hi 96753
www.nickensmaui.com
Email: nickens@maui.net
Cell: 808-280-2208
Experience that makes a difference.
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