There is one main hospital on Maui, which is where we work. But there is a smaller hospital in Kula (upcountry Maui), that is a long-term care facility with an urgent care center. As part of our contract, we cover call for the Kula Hospital lab once or twice a month. And yesterday, we had a day of training and orientation at the lab in Kula.
Kula,in Hawaiian means "open meadows", is a beautiful town in upcountry Maui. With the elevation, you get cooler weather, sweeping views of the ocean and beautiful mountain views.
The climate in Kula provides a haven for beautiful wild flowers and vegetation.
We took advantage of beautiful weather and walked down to Grandma's Coffee House for lunch. If you are ever in upcountry Maui, and need a good cup of coffee, a delicious piece of pie, a tasty BLT or just a chair and a table to admire the views and feel the cool breeze, you need to stop at Grandma's Coffee House.
I feel so blessed to able to spend long time on Maui, and experience the beauties off the beaten path. Kula is one of the most beautiful towns one can visit, it is so green, relaxing and gorgeous. One can breathe the fresh air, admire the farms around, see beautiful horses and goats, blue skies and many rainbows. A day up in Kula, is just what I need to get away from it all and re-energize.
One of our favorite places on the island is the Kula Lodge Restaurant , and not only for the food. It offers some of the most amazing views on the island, its location on top of a mountain cliff, gives one an aviation feeling. Go there for a dinner and watch one of the most amazing sunsets you can ever see. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to Kula Lodge yesterday, but hopefully we will soon.
Click here for a virtual tour of the restaurant.
Before heading back home, we decided to stop by Hookipa beach (the site of two major-class windsurfing competitions)and check out the surf conditions. The surf report yesterday showed 16-18 ft waves in the morning, but by the time we got there around four or so, the surf was down to about 6-8 feet, still very impressing to see if you ask me. There were few kite-surfers when we got there, so we sat around for a while to watch them.
And driving through charming Paia town to get back home in Maalaea, I saw this:
This gelato store was not here last year. I was delighted. So naturally, I had to stop by.
I got the Kula strawberry gelato, and it was delicious! Who knew you could get great gelato on Maui?!It made a great day even greater on paradise.
Comments (10)
Gorgeous! Kula sounds like a great town and how cool that you get to work there! Love the little cafe.
Posted by Chiocciola | February 26, 2009 7:44 PM
Posted on February 26, 2009 19:44
What beautiful photos, Candi! You ARE blessed to be able to live in the midst of all that beauty!
Posted by nancyhol | February 26, 2009 8:17 PM
Posted on February 26, 2009 20:17
Candi, How wonderful that you are starting to enjoy Maui. I love that charming town of Paia. I was there a year ago November and can't recall seeing the gelato shop. I, however, remember stopping traffic to take a picture of the sign that said something about Welcome Hippies? (Can't recall exactly and can't find the photo.)
I have yet to visit Kula. It looks fabulous.
Posted by Eden | February 26, 2009 11:29 PM
Posted on February 26, 2009 23:29
Candi, it sounds like you and your husband have the perfect jobs in a perfect place. I've often wondered what facilities are available in terms of long term care and nursing facilities on the islands.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 27, 2009 12:35 AM
Posted on February 27, 2009 00:35
Amazing photos - it all sounds so wonderful.
Posted by Kim | February 27, 2009 6:07 AM
Posted on February 27, 2009 06:07
Hi Candi, I am soooooo jealous! Kula sounds like an awesome little town and I love the little Grandma Coffee house! What a great place to work. I had to giggle when you said down to 6-8 feet waves. Here in So. Cal, the surfers would love a 6-8 foot wave rather than the small 2 maybe 3 feet waves.
Awesome photos! Thanks for posting and sharing these and making me wish I was in Maui! :) Have a great Friday and weekend!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | February 27, 2009 6:39 AM
Posted on February 27, 2009 06:39
What a beautiful place! I love that first photo with the cloud right over the mountain - just gorgeous. And finding good gelato is great!
Posted by Annie | February 27, 2009 7:33 AM
Posted on February 27, 2009 07:33
Beautiful photos! Knowing how the weather has been this week, all I can think though is brrrr!!! It has been so windy and cold (for us) the past couple of weeks. I even made my kids put on their jackets the other day! It must have been very cold up in Kula. My friend lives in Kula and I have never been. I must get to Maui!
Posted by girasoli | February 28, 2009 6:54 PM
Posted on February 28, 2009 18:54
Chiocciola, Nancy, Brab, Kim and Kathy: thanks, I do love Kula.
Eden, yes Paia is hippie town, I can't remember the sign either, I have to go look.
Annie, I love that cloud too.
girasoli, yes, you visiting Maui would be great! And Kula is really nice.
Posted by candi | March 1, 2009 2:58 PM
Posted on March 1, 2009 14:58
OMG Gelato in Paia!!! New one for me too!
Oh I loved seeing all these familiar spots and the upcountry photos! Glad your are settled in!
Posted by Palma | March 2, 2009 7:28 PM
Posted on March 2, 2009 19:28