Haleakala NP - where is close to live? (Kahului, Kihei: travel, rental)

[Way Out West]

Thanks in advance for the assistance.

If I were working at the heqadquarters of Haleakala National Park, where could I live that meets the following criteria:

- 45 minute commute or less
- town with basic ammenities
- decent public elementary or possibly a private school
- single family home for hopefully 2K a month or less in rent
- other kids

I lived on Oahu many years ago, and have been to Maui several times. I would likely be there for 3 - 5 years and probably would not buy a home.

Thanks!

[whynot?]

I'd say the closest place is Kula/Keokea, but there's really no town center (or private school) there. It would probably press your 45-minute limit, but the towns of Makawao and Pukalani have the basics you're looking for. Rental housing should be available, too. The prices just really vary with the location and quality.

[Way Out West]

Kula looks like it has one of the four public schools on Maui that are above/beyond the No Child Left Behind Act standards.

What is Kula like? Any shoipping there, or must you do to Pukalani/Makawao or even Kahului?

Thanks.

Also - drive time from Paia to the Park HQ just inside the boundary? It is 26 miles - maybe an hour?

[whynot?]

Kula has an Ace hardware, a gas station, and a couple of small stores. No shopping, per se, but convenience essentials. It's a mix of residential and ag (mostly fruit and flowers, but some livestock, too). It's kind of spread out over the base hills of Haleakala from about 1,500-4,000 ft elevation. Great views, cool weather, and lots of long-time local families.

Pukalani has a medium-sized local grocery, gas, and other basic retail. Makawao has an outpost of the local health-food-type grocery and convenience stores, but is mostly touristy retail -- with a good local bakery and some restaurants. Kahului is the only place nearby with Safeway, K-Mart, WalMart, Lowe's, Home Depot, Starbucks, Costco, movie theaters, etc.

Paia would be at least an hour to the ranger station -- probably more. You didn't ask, but I will tell you that it's called "Maui's hippie town." It has its own little health/organic/gourmet market and an array of interesting retail, but no "real" shopping. It's a sweet little spot, but has a lot of, um, seasonal windsurfing and other sport short-term residents. The Makawao/Pukalani/Kula areas are much more family-friendly IMHO.

[Jungjohann]

Actually, Kula has two general stores, or did, last time I was up there, and Pukalani has one of the larger Foodland stores in the state. I've worked up at Haleakala before, travel time from Kihei to the summit was well over two hours. Now that they no longer allow the downhill bike tours from the summit, (they only lost what was it, three bikers in two months, lost as in dead), travel time from Upper Kula would be an hour or so, depending upon how many touristas you've got in front of you. Hope the park service is picking up your gas tab!!!!

Aloha

[whynot?]

OOOPS! How could I forget -- and a Foodland with a Starbucks, no less!

Mahalo, Jungjohann!

[Jungjohann]

Eh, aole pilikia, as in no problem. That one store out Keokea side has great sandwiches and soup, as far as Foodland is concerned.......I've always preferred Pukalani Superette, been there for like, FOEVAH!!!! You just can't beat the old stuff in Hawaii, I know folks Upcountry who never have, or ever will, set foot in Foodland, not as long as the old Superette keeps going, which they no doubt will, seeing as many of their prices are cheaper than Foodland.

Aloha

[elaineo]

Kula Elementary is one of the better public schools. My son went there and he liked it a lot. There's also the Haleakala Waldorf school in Kula if you want a private school.