Maui Upcountry (Pukalani, Makawao) - much cooler, dryer then North Shore? (Kahului: rental, homeowners insurance)

[MadRussian]

Hey Maui residents!

I have couple questions regarding Upcountry. Is Makawao, Pukalani area much cooler, dryer then North Shore (Kahului, Paia, Haiku)? Is it possible to live there without AC? Are there any negative points of living upcountry except remoteness?
How about Wailuku Heights, is it similar climate wise to Upcountry? WH looks much nicer then upcountry, also located more convenient.

Thanks,

Andrew

[Brenmatsten]

Hi Andrew,
I live in Pukalani and my son lives in Makawao. I find that I don't need an AC and can handle the summer just fine with a fan but my son's place needs an AC. I don't really have a problem with remoteness because we have two grocery stores, gas station, two movie rental places, post offices and even a few restaurants. Anything else I need is within a 20 minute drive unless if it's in Hana or Lahaina, lol. Oh, the negative part so far that I can see is not as much rain. Other than that, I absolutely love it upcountry.

[alohakat]

Brenmaststen, do you have to irrigate your yard there? Does it stay green around you if rainfall is normal patterns? Just curious --

[DBM]

MadRussion,

Yes, it's cooler Upcountry than on the Northshore, and particularly cooler than Kahului -- which is really part of Central Maui, not the Northshore. It's also generally drier Upcountry than on the Northshore, but conditions change really quickly as you move from Pukalani to Makawao and then go around the corner towards upper Haiku. In the space of somewhere around 3-4 miles, yearly rainfall totals go from 20 inches to more than 50 inches. It's pretty amazing to see a rainfall map for that area, particularly since the topographical changes aren't that dramatic. You can also see the difference just driving from Pukalani into and through Makawao. Once you get to the Kula side of Pukalani, it's pretty dry unless you get above 4000 feet, where there is a wet zone. None of these climate zones are bad, but they are different and if you are particular about your climate, you should look into it.

Wailuku Heights is not as cool as Upcountry, but it's cooler than Kahului and the lower parts of Wailuku. The coolness is partly because of elevation, but mainly because Wailuku Heights is usually shaded by the canopy of clouds that form against the West Maui Mountains. Here again, conditions change fast. The top few blocks of Wailuku Heights are often in that canopy of clouds and are much wetter than the lower homes. If mold bothers you, look lower.

If you work in Kahului or Wailuku, Wailuku Heights is much more convenient. As for nicer -- I think Upcountry is prettier, but I think you're getting into personal preferences there.

[Brenmatsten]

yes, there is an irrigation system in the yard that goes off twice a week. I wonder if that's enough sometimes..

[MadRussian]

Thank you guys! You give me very valuable info!
BTW: Is upcountry residents MUST buy hurricane insurance too?

[HankDfrmSD]

Originally Posted by MadRussian

BTW: Is upcountry residents MUST buy hurricane insurance too?

I think the answer to that question depends more on the requirements of your mortgage holder than on where the house is.

If you have a choice, I think you would be very foolish to pass it up. Our vacation rental house on Kauai went through Iniki, and had to be completly rebuilt.

Hank

[MadRussian]

Is there any other "special" type of insurances required on HI? Like earthquake insurance?
Is there anywhere data on average homeowners insurance cost?

[KAILANI]

I am looking into those same areas, so MAHALO for the information!!
I had no idea that just 4 miles over, the weather could be so much different!!
I need to check out that rainfall map!
I live on the Olympic Peninsula (WA) and we are having major rain this month, blah.....