Located off the Hana Highway just minutes from the airport and in walking distance of Paia Town is H.A. Baldwin Beach Park. “Baldwin Beach” is Maui’s most popular north shore park. Named after Henry Alexander Baldwin (1871-1846), the park was donated and dedicated in the year following his death. H.A. was the grandson of Dwight Baldwin, one of the early missionaries to the island of Maui.
H.A. Baldwin was a sugar cane plantation manager, business owner, and politician during the U.S. takeover of the Hawaiian islands. Baldwin served as a Senator in Hawaii’s early Territorial Government. He was also a member of the House of Representatives and a Congressional Delegate.
Baldwin Beach Park was the site of Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co.’s recreation area and was dedicated to Henry Baldwin by the company. Consisting of 17.2 beautiful acres and highlighted from the highway by a magnificent row of very tall palm trees, it has a pavilion that has been modified and maintained by Maui County throughout the years for picnics and events.
The beach has a lifeguard tower for the oftentimes rough surf that can pound the shoreline, especially in wintertime when swells from the north can make this water dangerous.
Next door and quite visible from the park is the Rinzai Zen temple founded by the Reverend Nashin Okamoto in 1932. The temple that now stands was built by Okamoto’s pupil, Reverend Kiyoshi Oshira after the original one was destroyed by the 1946 tsunami. The bell and campus are all visible from the park and are accessible to the public. Just be sure to check their schedule of events.
I most like visiting this stretch of beach in the early morning. It offers fantastic sunrise views as well as spectacular views of the West Maui Mountains and the entrance to Iao Valley, all highlighted by the early morning sun.
Baldwin is also a great spot for dog walkers. Sometimes the heat is intense, but there’s plenty of cool sand by the shoreline. A calm surf day makes for a fun easy stroll. Large crowds fill this beach as the day progresses, so mornings can be best for pups too.
For more about Baldwin Beach Park’s facilities, visit the County of Maui website.
You take the best photos! Felt like I was there.
Great photography!