Makawao (Kahului, Pukalani: rental homes, homes, neighborhoods)

[Brenmatsten]

We are moving to Maui this June and have really been drawn to Makawao. I am a single mom and have two teen sons. We're hispanic (Costa Rica) but live in Dallas currently. One of my sons will still be in high school and the other will be looking for a job while going to college. I've done my homework and have lived on this forum, CL, and Maui News for the last year or so to make sure we won't be too green when we get there, lol.

I guess what I would like to know is what's Makawao like? I have all my finances straight, no worries as for moving, but have never been to Makawao. Any advice? Thank you in advance.

[KathyinHaiku]

Makawao is a small town in "Upcountry" Maui located on the slopes of Haleakala. It has an eclectic assortment of residents ranging from new-agers to cowboys. The major grocery store is located in the nearby town of Pukalani. Closest high school is King Kekaulike High School - also located in Pukalani. One bit of advice.....don't talk about how great things were "at home in the mainland". People in Hawaii are tired of hearing this from every new mainland transplant. Be open to many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Learn to speak "pidgin english" or at the very least understand it. Hawaii isn't another state in the union, its an entire culture. I wish you the best....Aloha.

[Brenmatsten]

Thank you so much for the advice. I already live on Maui in my mind . Believe me, I won't be talking about how good it is here. Although I can't complain too much, Dallas has been good to me, it's just that I can't wait for the complete change. Peace.

[Jerlene]

Makawao is a small country town with ranches and what not.
If you're son is still in high school, there might be problems.
He'd have to go to King Kekaulike(if he doesn't get a GE acceptance), and they're known for a lot of fights.
It's pretty quiet though and cops are all around so it's pretty safe.
Not a lot to do though so you'd probably waste a ton of gas on going to town like everyone else does.
Makawao is filled with Portuguese people but they're all Hawaiian in their mind so they're pretty laid back.

[Brenmatsten]

Now that I have lived on Maui for the last 6 and a half months in Pukalani, I know first hand that Makawao is a really neat place! I would still prefer Pukalani for convenience (banks, groceries, gas, etc) but Makawao still calls me.

[hotzcatz]

Good rodeo in Makawao, isn't there?

[Brenmatsten]

I haven't gotten to the rodeo yet, but it's on my definitely-have-to-do list.

[jahkie]

Hey B.
We are looking into a move from MI to upcountry Maui next fall in time to enroll our kids in school at the MOMI school. Can you tell me a bit more about pukalani and makawao? how are the neighbors? are people involved in community activities? is the local grocery shopping ok or do you have to head to another larger town? If possibleTell me about you typical day? Anything that drives you nuts? what do you love?
thanks,
jahkie

[Brenmatsten]

Originally Posted by jahkie

Can you tell me a bit more about pukalani and makawao? how are the neighbors? are people involved in community activities? is the local grocery shopping ok or do you have to head to another larger town?

Pukalani and Makawao are bordering towns upcountry and are very nice as far as living goes. The neighborhoods are mostly families that are established and some rental homes sprinkled here and there. The communities here are close knit since they are smaller and everybody seems to know everyone for the most part.

There are two grocery stores in Pukalani www.pukalanisuperette.com and www.foodland.com and what you can't find in one you can usually find in the other. If you want to buy in bulk, you can head to Kahului (about a 10-15 min drive) and go to Costco. There is a Safeway there too and a few other health stores. Check out the prices on the websites so you can be prepared as far as the cost of groceries.

[R_Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by Jerlene

which is white-infested,

...can we not go there, Jerlene? as a longtime local haole, I take exception to your backhanded hit. If you had said "[any other race] -infested" - there would be a huge outcry. How about we find better ways to describe situations. (I'm a mom of 4 Hawaiian girls, so we don't need to turn this into a fight on that topic, and you know what I mean.)