Kula is located in the scenic Upcountry Maui region on the slopes of Haleakala Volcano which is known for its colorful flower farms and botanical gardens as well as expansive farmland and ranch land views with the blue Pacific in the distance. Other Upcountry towns include Pukalani, Makawao, Keokea and Ulupalakua.
Kula is set on the fertile slopes of the volcano at 3,000 feet (914 m) above sea level making the temperature quite a bit cooler than Maui towns at lower elevations. Kula is home to about 10,000 people.
The six-acre Kula Botanical Gardens is alive with the colors of orchids, bromeliads, the pointy bird-of-paradise, vibrant carnations and many other blossoms. The Gardens also feature a lovely gazebo as well as an aviary and koi pond.
Kula is Maui’s premier agricultural region with many farms supplying Hawaii’s finest restaurants with high quality farm produce such as tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, strawberries, herbs, potatoes, and the famous sweet Kula onions. The use of fresh local vegetables, fruits, herbs and other produce grown in Kula has contributed significantly to the popularity of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, a distinct Island cuisine that has been heralded in the last decade by respected food critics.
See amazing proteas at the Shim Coffee and Protea Farm where you can also pick coffee beans and see the pulping process. Gaze upon hydrangea blossoms and enjoy the sweet scents of lavender at the Alii Kula Lavender Farm.
Attractions in Kula include farm and botanical garden tours including Enchanting Flower Gardens at 2,500 feet above sea level with more than 1,500 species of tropical and semi-tropical plants including orchids, jade vines, proteas, hibiscus and many more as well as a wide variety of fruit trees.
The 42-acre Surfing Goat Dairy in lower Kula makes award-winning cheese as well as goat milk soaps. Oo Farm at 3,500 feet above sea level in Kula supplies several fine restaurants with their gourmet produce and also offers farm tours.
Kula is also cattle country and home to many paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys) who herd the cattle near town and continue their ranching traditions. Visitors can enjoy horseback riding on the nearby ranchlands along Haleakala’s expansive rolling slopes. Kula means “Open meadows.”
The Holy Ghost Church in Kula is a historical landmark that was built in 1897 and recently restored. The distinctive white, octagonal Catholic church was a gift to Portuguese sugar plantation workers by the king and queen of Portugal and features a baroque-style altar as well as a replica of the crown of Queen Isabella.