Jimi Hendrix Rocks Upcountry Maui

There are rock stars. Then, there are rock gods. James Marshall “Jimi” Hendrix falls into the latter group.

This is a fact.

Yes! Jimi did play an Upcountry outdoor concert on Maui in 1970 (but not right here – this is PoliPoli)

It warms my heart to know that he also appreciated Maui the way you and I do. Jimi loved Maui. He played an outdoor concert on Maui in July of 1970, in which some of the footage made its way into the movie “Rainbow Bridge.”

Local Maui legend Les Potts has been quoted as saying “I remember the day Jimi was leaving Maui. He looked at us with tears in his eyes and said, ‘You guys are so lucky. You get to stay.'” (read the MauiTime article here). “Pali Gap” is a track from the album and movie, which is an obvious reference to Hawaii and his fondness for the islands.

Shaka Hendrix.

I have often watched footage of the movie and wondered just where on Maui it was filmed. Scouring some Hendrix fan sites and forums, it seems that the location of the outdoor concert was off Olinda Road on Hanamu Road, just above the town of Makawao—basically across from Seabury Hall. Seeing Jimi play outdoors in a field (for free!), majestic Haleakala towering above, and looking down to the Pacific Ocean below—can you imagine?!?

Upcountry is all about ‘perspective’.

There is even a VRBO bordering Maliko Gulch that claims to have housed Jimi during his Maui stay. That seems to be the closest thing to a memorial to the late great Hendrix on Maui, and that is a shame.

It is fitting that Jimi Hendrix played in the Upcountry area of Maui. It is a place of solitude and tranquility, immense views, warm days and cool nights. Besides not being able to walk to the beach, it is one of the perfect locations on the island (or anywhere in the world for that matter) for agricultural pursuits, hiking, road, and mountain biking, horse-riding, the list goes on. It can be borderline magical.

A stand of pine trees in Olinda, on Kahakapao Trail in the Makawao Forest Reserve, a few miles above where Jimi played.

I often recount my time spent living in the Upcountry area of Kula to prospective buyers. The aspect I remember most fondly is that of ‘perspective.’ Every time you walk out of your property, gaze down the slopes leading to the vast views of the ocean, the rest of Maui, and the outer islands. It reminds you what a special and unique place you live on planet Earth. You can sometimes lose that perceptive living close to the beach and running about your daily life.

Misty Mountain Hop – Maui has the best beaches, but the mountains aren’t too shabby.

The Upcountry area of Maui comprises the areas of Makawao, Olinda, Pukalani, Kula, Keokea, and Ulupalakua. If the Maui life is calling, and you think the misty mountain Upcountry life may be something you’d like to explore, give me call.

I’d love to help you explore and realize your Maui dreams.