We stayed at Hale Mauka Makai May 28-June 7 in 2013. This house in Haiku on Maui is a wonderful vacation property and the owner, Claudia, is a pleasure to know. First, to echo some other reviews, it's really odd that the pictures on the site do not do the property justice. It's better in person and everything Claudia writes about the property is understated. It is hard to describe just how relaxing this house when the windows are open and the trades are flowing through the home. It is possible to hear neighbors and traffic, but you most likely will not. A few notes: the kitchen is well maintained. You will have everything you need to cook (or grill) and make dinner. We made most of our meals while there, and alternated between eating on the lanai or inside in the dining room. Claudia is very proud about her espresso/cappuccino set up and a great way to start your day. The kids spent hours in the pool. There is a chest of pool toys that were well used by all of us, and there are plenty of beach towels. Haiku, of course, is about as far away from the resorts at Kaanapali and Kapalua as one can get and still by on the same island. This location is for people that want to get out and do things, then come 'home' for the evening. It was perfect for us. On activities, Claudia referred us to Hawaiian Paddle Sports for a few of our outings. The owner, Tim, coaches outrigger teams and coached Claudia who is a steersman on a club team. We kayaked, paddled and surfed with Tim's company (Tim for outrigger paddling and Patrick for kayaking and surfing). These were excellent outings and thank you Claudia for pointing us in the right direction. We did go out for pizza in Haiku at Colleen's, which is a nice local spot and Paia is only a few minutes away. We ate at Mama's Fish House on our last day and ate at the Paia Fish Market and several other places for lunch. We did most of our food shopping at Costco, which is also fairly close in Kahului. The beaches at Hookipa and Paia are close and great beaches. To sum up, we couldn't have been happier with Hale Mauka Makai. It was better than expected (and we expected a lot) and Claudia made us welcome. We will be coming back. read more

We had a very enjoyable 4-week stay at this beautiful VRBO in Haiku. We appreciated being on the north shore and, by association, getting to explore more on this side of the island. The house is clean, airy and well maintained (weekly housekeeper). It comfortably accommodated our family of three, with each person having access to their own en-suite bathroom, a saving grace for us! It has a fully equipped kitchen with appliances which I found especially useful for morning smoothies and cooking my own spicy dishes from time to time. The owner very generously invited us to help ourselves to fruit and veggies from her charming garden which we did! The grounds are beautifully landscaped and sprawling. The pool is one of the best we've experienced at a VRBO-expansive-all of us together in it did not feel crowded; it is also comfortably deep enough at almost 8 feet. We got to experience several days of poolside lounging-what would a beach vacation be without this?! The pool swimming also helped us practice getting our strokes down for swimming in the ocean. The owner always made herself available to address any concerns we might have had, very pleasant and friendly. We also felt we had privacy both within and outside, neighbor homes, although relatively close, are still not able to peer in or overhead, a very desirable feature for us. There is not enough I can say about this beautiful home, if anything, we look forward to going back! read more

We were so lucky to be referred by Maui friends to stay at Hale Mauka Makai. It was the perfect location for us - quick drive to restaurants, surfing, walks and waterfalls and the nearby upcountry towns. The house itself was beautifully furnished and equipped, lovely Asian and local touches. Just right for 5 of us. We loved the garden and our tour to harvest the fresh fruits and herbs and veggies, the pool was perfect for the kids and the cows in the adjacent field provided regular evening entertainment as they walked past and watched us hanging out on the lanai. We loved our stay and Kevin and Claudia took great care of us. We hope to be back! read more

Our family had an amazing vacation at Hale Mauka Makai (a.k.a Claudia and Kevin's home). What an incredible location with ocean and mountain views all with a wonderful truly Hawaiian home to enjoy. We will always treasure our memories made in Maui and the special celebration of our son's surprise engagement. Remarkable sums up this trip and our host who couldn't have been nicer and more accommodating. Haiku is on the quiet side of the island and away from tourist spots, so you'll enjoy beautiful sunrises, birds and plenty of cooling tropical breezes. A more special place in the islands would be hard to find! The Smith's - May 2022 read more

This was our second stay at Hale Mauka Makai (first was in July 2022). Let me start off by saying that this house is beautifully set on a 4-acre lot. Over the past years, we have rented several high-end vacation homes on Kauai and Hawaii Island and while those houses were beautiful, neighbors were only a few feet away! Hale Mauka Makai is very private. It is located just off the Hana highway in Haiku, Maui away from the busy tourist areas of Kaanapali and Wailea, but only a short 3-minute drive to the town of Haiku where you can buy groceries at the local market or grab a bite to eat. The house is also about a 15-minute drive to the quaint little town of Pa'ia with many eateries and gift shops. What we liked about the house was the attention to detail. There are beach toys and coolers you can use for a beach day along with blue ice packs in the freezer. There are also Hydro flasks available to minimize or eliminate the need for plastic water bottles. The pool is well maintained and a joy to use for a swim or just to cool off. The kitchen was well stocked with everything you may need (except food items, of course). You can even pick fresh fruit from the many fruit trees on the property. What we didn't like... we had to eventually leave. read more

It is hard to describe the power of Hale Mauka Makai. I was fortunate to spend 3.5 weeks there and was able to absorb the breadth of its healing energies. The location itself is a place of retreat and restoration. Sunset dinners on the back Lanai, tradewinds breezes blowing into the bedroom at daybreak, chirping geckos singing their approval of your presence in the home, regal roosters crowing at odd hours, and sauntering the streets of Haiku evoke the sensation that you are somewhere far, far away like central or south America. Picking fruit for smoothies or herbs for dinner infuses an unexpected connection to the land and appreciation for mother earth. Aside from the magic of the location, there is an energy of love and community that is intangibly present in the home from years of Claudia's generosity, intentions, and hospitality. An experience on Hale Mauka Makai is Otherworldly for those who take the moments to notice it. I left feeling inspired for the second half of life, invigorated, restored, and full of passion and ambition. I recommend if you have time scheduling morning coffee with Claudia, the owner. Talking with her you will learn much about Hawaii and walk away energized and inspired by her story. Take a walk to Haiku to enjoy the delicious food trucks- there is a food truck onsite at the Haiku grocery store, run by a former chef at the famous- mama's fish house (best fine dining seafood restaurant on Maui). The food is delicious! I love that the house is within walking distance to a grocery store and lunch. Of course, there are all the wonderful things to do on Maui and you SHOULD, but right in the area where you are staying, turtles climb to the beach in the evenings, stars shoot and fall at midnight, oranges fall to the ground, the sonic landscape takes you away on a flight of flower petals into hibiscus heaven. You will return believing again in possibility, goodness, hope, and love. As far as practical feedback, as everyone mentioned, the sound system and quality of every appliance in the home are impressive and easy to use. I recommend ordering Nespresso pods through Claudia instead of having ground drip coffee. The Nespresso pods add a pop to the coffee ritual and delightful experience to your mornings. Finally, It is advantageous that Claudia is on sight and the home is managed through her and not a property management company. When we were there a small issue with a ceiling fan arose and Claudia was able to pop over and fix it the same day. She is highly professional, responsive and a pleasure to collaborate with. Lastly, Take advantage of the nearby restaurants- they are all good. Ulanis shaved ice is the best on Maui and is available in Paia (10 min drive from house)! There are 3 towns near the home: Haiku (walkable) Paia and Makawao - both a 10 min drive away. read more

Our family (including two kids under 10) thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this beautiful home. It's hard to list all the highlights as there were so many! The setting was beautiful and private. The house was well appointed throughout. We appreciated how well equipped the kitchen was to feel like home and have everything we needed to prepare meals. Our kids loved the beach gear/sand toys and we used them daily. The private pool was lovely and we enjoyed swimming every day. We picked oranges and grapefruit from the trees near the house and enjoyed fresh squeezed juice daily (what a treat!). Claudia was an exceptional host who truly thought of everything to make our stay wonderful. We have rented homes around the world and this was one of our favorites. read more

My wife and I, her sister and husband, and my wife's parents recently stayed here for a week on a very special trip that was centered around my in-laws 40 year wedding anniversary. The trip was hyped on big expectations, though fear of cancellation due to the pandemic loomed. I can say with all sincerity, that this beautiful home, sitting on beautiful grounds did not disappoint. It was the perfect home base for our vacation and the cherry on top was Claudia. Claudia wasn't just a contact to help with accommodations, she was a kindred spirit and wonderful host. She helped me secretly organize head leis (from Haku Maui) for the 3 ladies, as on her own time went into town and picked them up for me so I could surprise them with them when we got there (see pictures!). On the first morning in Maui, at a time we all agree'd, and not obligatory, she came over and gave us the lay of the land. Claudia walked is across the property so we could understand all of our amenities for the coming week, we explained all the varieties of fruit trees we had to choose fresh fruit from (awesome!) and even provided tips throughout the week as we communicated. This place is a real gem. While enjoying excursions such as Trilogy Snorkeling and the Road to Hana (via guide), we had locals rave about how well we did to stay here. This area of the island is where the locals like to go to not just get away from it for a personal staycation, but to enjoy the most beautiful scenery of Maui. I highly recommend this beautiful home and hope I can return soon. read more

Our family of 5 had a wonderful stay. The house is beautifully decorated and meticulously maintained. The photos do not do it justice. The grounds are extensive and afford complete privacy with plenty of fruit trees and views of both the ocean and Haleakala. The pool is lovely and with its motorized cover, stays pleasantly warm. Paia is a short 10min drive away. Claudia and Kevin could not be more gracious hosts. We would love to stay here again! read more

Hale Mauka Makai is like something out of a dream, it is simply superb! Everything from the outdoor grounds to all the fine details on the inside. You immediately feel relaxed and at home. The entire house was spotless, beds were comfortable, bathrooms were lovely, kitchen had everything to prepare meals, pool was clean, everything worked as it should. There are numerous fruit trees and a vegetable garden that you can pick fresh fruits and veggies, such a delight! The house is away from all the hustle and bustle yet close to everything you need. Haiku is a small and quaint town with a couple of good restaurants, Paia (15 mins drive) is a lovely town with many shops and restaurants, and Makawao (15 mins drive) is a fabulous upcountry town to explore. Airport and all the major stores are only 30 minutes. The road to Hana is right there, Haleakala National Park is an hour drive, Big Beach on the south end is 50 minutes, so you really have access to all of the wonders of this beautiful island! This home gives you a taste of what it would actually feel like to be a local. Claudia welcomed our family with open arms, was so fun to talk to, and just an all around wonderful host that embodies the meaning of Aloha. The house lives up to its meaning,"the house towards the mountain and the ocean". Look no further, this home and its host will leave a warm hug around your heart that will make you want to come back time and time again. read more

ABSOLUTE PARADISE - YOU SHOULD BE SO LUCKY That's the first thing that came to mind when I arrived at Hale Mauka Makai. I should be so lucky - and for the next month I WAS. Maui is an outstanding destination, and the welcome of Claudia & Kevin to their dream home made it a dream trip. The house is close enough to the action (Paia, Makawao, Haiku) yet far enough away from the masses to truly relax. Out every window you see beauty, whether it's the ocean, the mountain, or the lush lush landscaping. Trips to our orchard in the morning were fun to be rewarded with the freshest of juices. This city girl never picked fruits for juicing before, and it is still a highlight memory of the trip. The pool is heaven, the house an elegant treat. We BBQd on the lanai, yet still stayed connected with the wireless service and cable TV. The master bedroom & bathroom are exquisite - and the 2 guestrooms perfect. Each has their own little patio facing the pool - which made it perfect for folks waking up early (time zone made us early risers) to read by the pool and enjoy a perfectly brewed cup of espresso from the included machine & coffee! Already checking the calendar to see when we can go back. Warning: once you stay here - you will not want to stay anywhere else! Aloha~ read more

It is very rare that I post a review when only halfway through my stay. My wife and I took a relaxing vacation to Maui. We chose the Waterfall House at the Hale Akua Garden Farm. It is at the beginning of the road to Hana. We have a private garden, two balconies overlooking the cliffside and waterfall flowing from the hillside. Words cannot express the ultimate care, relaxation and serenity provided by the location and the staff. Every detail has been taken care of from our private pool being cleaned to special requests. The staff is remarkable and have taken great care in providing the ultimate Maui experience. I highly recommend the residence for getting the feel of the real Maui. We used the property as base camp and stayed one night at the Ritz and one evening at a Wailea resort. We missed our time away from the Waterfall house. Not much more to say. I only wished that we could rate it higher than 5 stars. Best vacation we've ever taken and we like to travel. The only reason I hesitate to post such a good review is to keep it our own little secret. Too good not to share. Enjoy! read more

We have just spent a wonderful week at this amazing house. A truly special experience , from picking oranges every morning for our orange juice to lounging in the peaceful surroundings by the pool. The house is spacious, tranquil and serene. We had a very special holiday! The house is exceptionally well equipped and provided with all necessities including Nespresso machine. Joy!. A must in our case! The beds are comfortable too. For a truly extraordinary and relaxing time, you cannot do better than rent this wonderful property. read more

My family just spent a week at Hale Mauka Makai and had a fantastic time. The house is top-notch with everything you could possibly want and the 5 acres surrounding the property are absolutely stunning. In fact, it's so well provisioned, welcoming and beautiful that we often had to force ourselves to leave to do anything more. Located on the North Shore, it's much quieter and less touristy than other places, but never lacks for things to do within close proximity. The beaches are beautiful and un-crowded with plenty of safe spots for children to swim and play in the ocean. For those who like to surf, wind sail or boogie board, I'm not sure it gets any better than here. Claudia and Kevin are excellent hosts too. It's clear from their actions that everything they do is intended to make their guests stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. They are wealth of information; detail oriented and totally focused on Customer Service. I would highly recommend staying at the Hale Mauka Makai to all my friends and family as the best place in Maui! read more

Can't say enough about our stay. The house was beautiful and well equipped with amenities. Thank you!

Our family had a wonderful stay at Hale Mauka Makai. The past few years we've stayed at a condo on the other side of the island, and this year we decided to try something different - after staying at Hale Mauka Makai it's hard to imagine going back to staying at a condo again. The layout of the home was perfect for our family of 5 - and the home was equipped with everything we needed for a memorable family vacation. Though other homes are nearby, from the house there is complete privacy - all we saw was ocean, the volcano, and the cows next door (though we never smelled them!). We can't wait to go back. read more

This home is absolutely amazing! The pictures you see on this and other websites seem too good to be true, but they aren't!! The pool is just that beautiful, the house is just that serene, the lawns and gardens are just that lush and well-maintained. We went there with our two teenage daughters and their aunts (our sisters) for our 20th wedding anniversary. It was perfect! There was enough room for everyone to have their space and enough common areas for us all to spend time together. The kitchen is fully equipped, as is every other room in the house. There was NOTHING that we needed that was not provided. One of the most special parts of our time at the house was when Claudia (the owner) gave us the tour of the house and more importantly the garden, which she has created from scratch with loving care. Coming from the high mountains of Colorado our children didn't know what papaya trees looked like, but Claudia showed them to us and picked some papayas for us to eat. She also welcomed us to her garden and we ate salads made from it nearly every day that we were there. We also traveled the entire island when we were there. We spent a day at Kihei, a day at Lahaina, a day at Ka'anapali, a day in Kula, a day going to Hana, and a lot of time in Paia and Kahului. Our favorite place on the island, by far, was area around the house, including Paia and Haiku. We had an amazing stay and will always remember our 20th anniversary trip as one filled with sunshine, blue skies, fun, family, warmth, laughter, good food, new friends and lots of fabulous activities and memories. Our heartfelt gratitude to Claudia and her family for her home and for making our stay so incredibly special! read more

We love Hale Mauka Makai!! We were searching all over Hawaii for the perfect place, a pool, a view, land, privacy and all the amenities that make a vacation easy and memorable. Claudia was beyond knowledgable, friendly and professional. She couldn't have been better or more helpful in any way. The house is a dream. The location is perfection. Easily accessible to the town, the best beaches on the island and top notch local restaurants just down the street. I miss it all so much! The long driveway is flanked by palm trees and surrounded by organic vegetable, fruit and herb gardens and leads to the private house on a large plot of grassy land. Inside the beautifully decorated and perfectly laid out house you really feel all the stresses of life melt away. The kitchen is perfect. We cooked a lot and BBQ'ed outside on the deck overlong the gorgeous land and ocean. The breeze in the house was divine. The beds were like clouds! We even had an A/C delivered that Claudia handled so kindly and she also arranged for pick up as we never needed it once. Our mainland friends told us we would need one in the middle of August, but on the north shore, the trade winds are always blowing so no worries ever! The weather was blissful. The pool is a dream. Morning and night swimming were daily rituals along with picking guavas from the trees in the yard. There wasn't one thing I would change about our stay here. Everything was taken care of and we cannot wait to go back!! So happy we discovered this gem! read more

My husband and I had the great fortune of spending our honeymoon at Hale Mauka Makai. For one week, we lived in total luxury. The house itself is beautiful, functional and extremely comfortable. You can tell that each detail was well thought out when the house was being built. You can spend time inside and still feel as if you are in paradise, as from every room in the house, all you have to do is look out the windows or doors and you have a view to die for. We had fresh squeezed orange juice every morning from oranges that were picked on the property. There were mangos and limes and mandarin oranges and vegetables and herbs to pick from the garden. And did I mention the coconuts? My husband is now a huge coconut water drinker, thanks to our Hawaiian vacation. We have rented homes before on vacation and normally by about the second day we are itching for our own bed and pillows. Not here. The bed and pillows were perfect. The pool was beautiful and so pristine, exactly as pictured. My husband loved the barbecue, and we wished we had used it more often during our stay. Claudia and Kevin and their daughter were so warm and welcoming. Honestly, when you stand outside this home, you almost have to pinch yourself that places like this exist. The acres that surround the home are perfectly landscaped; the colors are amazing. This house and surrounding property belong in a magazine! It was the perfect place to come to for vacation and my husband and I are looking forward to going back and bringing our children, who will love it as much as we did. read more