MAKAWAO VACATION RENTALS

 Makawao means "Eye of the Forest" and is a short 15 minute drive up the slopes of Haleakala from Kahului airport. The rustic town of Makawao is a "Paniolo" or Hawaiian cowboy town with a Hawaiian flair. It is a quant little town with upscale boutiques, local gift shops, restaurants and western wear outfitters. It is one of four towns including Ha'iku, Pukalani and Kula that make up what locals refer to as "Upcountry." By embarking on the adventure into the country and exploring the green rolling pastures and breathtaking views of the blue ocean in the distance, you will understand and witness the laid back feeling Makawao and upcountry emanate. Make sure to stop by the famous Komoda bakery for a fresh malsada!

Due to its 1,600 ft. elevation and location to the trade winds,  Makawao is naturally wet and cool. Average temperatures are generally 75 to 85 degrees or 5 to 10 degrees below those at sea-levels or in Kahului. It is a great town to visit for a day trip or even break up your trip and stay for a night or two and enjoy amazing sunsets and a warm kiawe wood fireplace at night.

Since the 19th century, years before the Wild West and the era of cowboys in the United States, Makawao has been herding cattle. Captain George Vancouver shipped the very first cattle from California as an offering to King Kamehameha I in 1793.  As the cattle numbers grew after a ten year Kapu (ancient code of conduct and rules), the hunting industry was born. The first Mexican vaqueros were brought by King Kamahameha III from Vera Cruz to the Big Island in 1830 to take care of the cattle and also to teach other locals the skills in handling cattle. Since the vaqueros were Spaniards, or Espaniolos, as the locals called them, they became known as the "paniolo" or the Hawaiian cowboy that we now know today.