Here at Maui Sunriders Bike Company, we see a lot of cycling enthusiasts every day.

We love to engage with those who are already avid cyclists. Our job becomes stoking them on all the beautiful riding on Maui. However, it’s more exciting to us – and more important – to share our love of cycling with our local community.

Maui Sunriders has been a staple in the Paia community for over 20 years. For a while, we were known only as a downhill tour operator. However, over the past couple of years, we’ve proudly evolved into offering full bike retail, service, and rentals. As we’ve expanded our services, so has our capacity to engage with the greater Paia community.

Recently, as we thought through the process of overhauling our tour gear, our goal was to repurpose as much as possible. 

We wanted to connect with those who we knew would give it a second life. In our minds, we knew there was no better organization to connect with than the Paia Youth and Cultural Center.

The Paia Youth and Cultural Center is another cornerstone of our small north shore community on Maui. For years, they’ve worked hard to provide a safe place emotionally and physically for the youth of Paia and surrounding communities. 

When we reached out to the Youth Center to ask if they’d be interested in full-face bike helmets, they were thrilled. As it turned out, they had offered mountain bike outings for the first time this past summer. As the Youth Center thought ahead to enhancing its offerings, one of the hurdles to work through was finding quality gear. In a stroke of beautiful luck, we were right there to fill that need!

In late November, we shuttled boxes of our helmets down to the Youth Center and helped the Youth Center staff hand out helmets to the kids. There were enough helmets that some kids were able to take one home as their own.  The rest are now stored at the Youth Center, ready for the next cycling adventure!

Are you planning a trip to Hawaii? Why not enjoy the best that the islands have to offer by cruising around on a bike? Cycling is not only an excellent way to enjoy the sights and attractions of Hawaii. It is also a great way to meet people and get a glimpse of the local culture up close. It also gives you the chance to get a good workout, which is always a plus! 

How to Make sure you have a bike in Hawaii 

But how do you get a hold of a bike in Hawaii? Unless you live there or have a friend willing to lend you a bike for the duration of your stay, your options are: 

• Purchase a bike when you get there 
• Rent a bike in Hawaii 
• Ship your bike to Hawaii 
• Fly with your bike to Hawaii

The first option may not seem practical at first. If you aren’t staying on the islands for an extended period–or for good–you may think that you’ll have to sell your bike when you leave.  Additionally, you can often sell your bike on the islands for nearly what you paid for it due to the high demand for bicycles.

Our advice would be to rent a bike from Maui Sunriders. We offer a wide range of quality cycling equipment, including bikes of all sizes and designs.

We’ll get to more on what we have to offer for bike rentals here at Maui Sunriders in a bit…for now, let’s take a look at your other options. 

Shipping a bike to Hawaii 

Are you thinking of shipping your bike to Hawaii? The cost of doing so isn’t cheap, as you might imagine. But it isn’t as excessive as you might have expected either. 

Companies such as Overnight Bikes, BikeFlights, and ShipBikes charge fairly reasonable rates for shipping a bike across the ocean. They cater to professional cyclists, triathletes, and industry professionals, so you can be reasonably sure that your bike will get to the intended destination in one piece. 

Checking your bike in on a flight 

Another option is to check your bike in as baggage on your flight. In recent years, major airlines have been moving (slowly!) toward accepting packaged bicycles as standard luggage. The following major airlines fall into this category:

• Alaska Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• American Airlines
• United Airlines

Airlines handle bicycles slightly differently, and their max weight/size for packaged bicycles may differ as well. While flying with a bicycle is become more common across the board, it’s worth checking the details for the airline you are flying with to avoid any hiccups on travel day!

Renting a bike from Maui Sunriders

The likely simplest answer is one we’ve already mentioned before – renting a bike from us! We have an extensive fleet of new and high-quality bikes, with more models added all the time. 

Our rental fleet consists of everything from carbon / aluminum road bikes, full suspensions, hardtails, e-bikes, 3-speeds crusiers, or single-speeds. We pride ourselves in keeping our bikes in ready-to-ride condition at all times!

Our advice would be to rent a bike from Maui Sunriders. This way, you ensure a high-quality ride with none of the hassles of shipping a bike halfway around the world. Plus, you are spared considerable worry and expense, making it easier for you to enjoy your trip to the fullest.

Cycling is a great way to explore the best that Hawaii has to offer. Whether you are looking to cruise the town, head down to the beach, or explore the many fascinating bike paths on the islands, a bike will get you there in convenience and style. 

Olinda Forest Cycling Route – Advanced

31 miles, 4,300’ elevation gain

A climber’s dream! Start your ride in Paia at sea level and climb your way up to nearly 4,000’ over just 12 miles. As you approach the high point, you’ll find yourself immersed in the dense pine trees of the Olinda Forest. A steep, windy descent down Piiholo Road awaits as you round the turn at the top of the road.

Enjoy The Olinda Forest climb From The Sea

The climb begins relatively gently – the gradient averages 4-6% for the first 7 miles up Baldwin Ave to Makawao. Then, the real challenge begins! Pass straight through the 4-way intersection in Makawao and up the steep quarter-mile pitch. The road then flattens out and becomes Olinda Ave. Enjoy the short recovery before the gradient turns uphill once again! Starting around mile 8, and for the next 4 miles, the incline averages just under 10%. The grade maxes out around 15%.

Round the turn at the highest point, and enjoy your descent!

Congrats – you’ve hit the high point of the day! When you’re ready, descend cautiously down Piiholo Rd. It’s very steep at points, and the hairpin turns are TIGHT. At just past mile 17 on the route, you’ll hit Makawao Ave. Here, you can turn left and follow it back into Makawao to grab a well-earned meal before continuing down toward home. 

If you’re ready to keep pushing, follow our route to the right. You’ll continue around the long way back to our Paia shop via a scenic tour of neighboring Haiku.

Grab A Bite After Your Olinda Forest Ride

As you descend Makawao Ave (which becomes Kaupakalua Rd), be aware that there is a very tight hairpin turn around mile 18.5. Continue onwards until taking a left onto E Kuiaha Rd. This is our personal favorite for a quiet, scenic descent through Haiku.

When that road ends, hang a left at the stop sign. Enjoy a couple of miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle before popping out into the center of Haiku town. You’ll find a couple of food options if you need a pit stop before the final push home.

From here, enjoy the net downhill (and often, tailwind!) back to Paia!

Tour of Haiku Cycling Route – Intermediate

30 miles, 3,000’ elevation gain

Climb to the cowboy town of Makawao before a scenic and windy descent through the jungle town of Haiku. Then, ride back to Paia along the ocean.

30 miles, 3,000′ of climbing, 3 Maui towns to explore.

Starting at our shop in Paia, aim straight uphill on Baldwin Ave. After 7 miles and 1,700’ in elevation gain, you’ll hit Makawao town. In Makawao, there is a general store in addition to a couple of restaurants and food trucks…great refuel stops if the climb took it out of you!

At the 4-way intersection, turn left to start a stellar descent toward the center of Haiku town. Take your first left at Kokomo Rd and settle in for a few downhill miles.

Through the jungle and back toward the beach.

As you approach the town center of Haiku, you’ll pass over a couple of speed bumps. The road will bend to the right. At the bend, our route has you take a left at the “Haiku Town Acres” sign for a fun side route through a beautiful neighborhood. If you opt into this side quest, it’s a short climb back up into Haiku town. Be sure to stop for lunch at any of the great eateries in Haiku!

Continue along our route by finding Haiku Rd, and following it for a fun few miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle. A final, beautiful climb awaits you up E Kuiaha Rd – one of our favorites in Haiku! You’ll connect back up with Kaupakalua Rd, where you’ll then turn left to descend back to the Hana Highway. Take a left on the Hana Highway, and cruise the steady rollers all the way back to Paia!

Maui Cycling Routes

Tour of Haiku – Beginner

15 miles, 1,300’ elevation gain

A short lollipop route along the Hana Highway, highlighted by a short climb into Haiku. Cruise along a few fun miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle before a return to Paia!

A lollipop route through the jungle town of Haiku!

Starting at our shop, take two quick rights to head east on the Hana Highway. Continue out past Ho’okipa Lookout and onwards through the sweeping S turn, where the grade turns uphill.

Next, take your first right onto Haiku Rd, which brings you into downtown Haiku. If you’re feeling hungry, there are plenty of good eats in the immediate area. Then, turn left to continue onto Haiku Rd, where the rolling, windy jungle miles begin!

At the 4-way intersection (mile 8.5 on our route), turn left downhill on E Kuiaha Rd. Take another left to get back onto the Hana Highway en route back toward Paia. Save for one quarter-mile kicker through the S-turn, it’s a net descent back to town…often, with a tailwind!

Makawao Figure 8 Cycling Route – Advanced

40 miles, 4,500’ elevation gain

Climb a third of the way up Haleakala Volcano, then loop your way back down the scenic route. Cruise through the towns of Kula, Makawao, and Haiku before finishing up your ride along the ocean as you make your way back toward Paia.

The Makawao Figure 8 Climb

Starting in Paia, aim straight up Baldwin ave for 7 miles and 1,700′ to Makawao. Continue straight through the intersection and up the steep quarter-mile pitch.

Follow the road until you turn right onto Hanamu Rd, just opposite the horse ranch. Next, bear left at each of the upcoming merges to find yourself on the Haleakala Highway. Six more miles of steady climbing brings you up to the highest point on this route – the town of Kula – at just under 4,000’. The road then crests and then starts downhill – you’ve earned it!

After two downhill miles, you’ll hit the Kula highway. Turn right, and then make a second quick right onto Lower Kula rd to continue your descent. You’re welcome to continue along the main highway, but we much prefer the quieter side roads!

If you brought lunch, the best place to stop is Harold Rice Park – the views are hard to beat. Otherwise, you’ll pass a couple of food options along Lower Kula Rd. Lower Kula Rd will merge back onto the Kula Highway before splitting off again to your right after half a mile. Hop back on the side road for another 2 miles of less traffic and better views!

For the beer drinkers out there…Mahalo Aleworks will be on your left along Aapeuo Parkway as you continue down the Kula Highway.

Descend through three iconic upcountry Maui towns

At mile 24.5 in our route, you’ll hang a right on Makawao Ave, which points you back toward the T-intersection in Makawao from your climb earlier. Either turn left to descend right back down the way you came, or follow our route for a scenic descent through our favorite roads in Haiku! 

As you descend Makawao Ave (which becomes Kaupakalua Rd), be aware that there is a very tight hairpin turn at mile 28.5! Follow along that road until taking a left onto E Kuiaha Rd. This is our personal favorite for a quiet, scenic descent through Haiku. Hang a left when that road ends at a stop sign. A couple of miles of tight, windy rollers through the jungle await, popping you out in downtown Haiku. You’ll find a couple of great food options if you need a pit stop before the final push home.

Once in Haiku town, just follow our route back down to the Hana highway, and hang a left, and enjoy the net downhill (and often, tailwind) back to Paia!