Upcountry

The west-facing upper slopes of Haleakala are locally called "Upcountry." This region is responsible for much of Hawaii's produce—lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, sweet Maui onions, and much, much more. You'll notice cactus thickets mingled with purple jacaranda, wild hibiscus, and towering eucalyptus trees. Keep an eye out for pueo, Hawaii's native owl, which hunts these fields during daylight hours.

Upcountry is also fertile ranch land; cowboys still work the fields of the historic 20,000-acre Ulupalakua Ranch and the 32,000-acre Haleakala Ranch. This is a great area in which to take an agricultural tour and learn more about the island's bounty. Lavender, vegetables, cheese, and wine are among your choices.

A drive to Upcountry Maui from Wailea (South Shore) or Kaanapali (West Maui) can be an all-day outing if you take the time to visit Tedeschi Vineyards and the tiny town of Makawao. You may want to cut these side trips short and combine your Upcountry tour with a visit to Haleakala National Park It's a Maui must-see. If you leave early enough to catch the sunrise from the summit of Haleakala, you'll have plenty of time to explore the mountain, have lunch in Kula or at Ulupalakua Ranch, and end your day with dinner in Makawao.